Benelux Fountain

About

The Benelux Fountain (French: Fontaine Benelux; English: Beneluxfontein) is a public fountain located on the Boulevard du Centenaire/Eeuwfeestlaan in Laeken, Brussels, Belgium. It was designed by the Groupe Pyjama architectural firm for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair (Expo 58), and represents the cooperation between the Benelux countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The fountain is an example of post-war modernist architecture, featuring geometric forms and the use of exhibited concrete. In 2021, the surrounding area was redesigned and renamed the Place du Benelux/Beneluxplein, and in 2024, the fountain was listed on the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of the Brussels-Capital Region.

Origins and Expo 58: The Benelux Fountain was constructed as part of the architectural and urban development for Expo 58. Located on the central green area at the foot of the Boulevard du Centenaire/Eeuwfeestlaan, the fountain was a round concrete structure designed to be the focal point of the Expo. It was positioned opposite the Benelux Gate, which served as the southern entrance to the exhibition.

The fountain was the culmination of a 450-metre-long (1.480 ft) water...