Anderlechtsepoort

The Anderlechtsepoort was one of the seven medieval gates in Brussels' second city wall. Built in 1359, it served as an important access point on the southwest side of the city, leading to the nearby village of Anderlecht. The gate, popularly known as Ter Cruyskene, originally had a portcullis and a drawbridge over a moat. Over the centuries, various city guilds and noble houses took over guarding the gate, while its attic was used to store grain.

After the gatehouse was converted into a prison in the 18th century, it was demolished in 1784 to make way for the construction of the Small Ring Road. In 1836, two small neoclassical pavilions were built on the site of the former gate, where import duties on goods were collected. These buildings survived the abolition of the tax in 1860 and still stand today, slightly shifted, at their original location.

Today, the site is known mainly as a topographical name marking the intersection of several major streets. Since 1988, the basement of one of the two pavilions has housed a museum about the sewer system, while the other is used as a room for sewer workers. You can reach the historic site via the nearby tram stop, which is also named after the gate.