Bois de la Cambre

Geschiedenis

The Bois de la Cambre or Ter Kamerenbos is an urban public park on the edge of the Sonian Forest in Brussels, Belgium. It has an area of 1.23 square kilometres. The park lies in the south of the Brussels-Capital Region, and in the municipality of the City of Brussels. It is linked to the rest of the municipality by Avenue Louise, which was built at the same time the park was laid out, in 1861.It comprises a small lake with an island in the centre, called Robinson's island.HistoryThe park was laid out in 1861 by, a German architect. Queen Marie-Henriette, wife of King Leopold II, often went riding in the park. The horsemans' battle bronze group at the entrance is the work of Belgian sculptor Jacques de Lalaing.On June 17, 1815, on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo English soldiers played a cricket match on a ground located in the area currently covered by the Park. Ever since is this area called la Pelouse des Anglais (The Englishmen's Lawn), although few are aware of the name. In 1965, the then British Ambassador in Belgium planted an oak tree and unveiled a bronze plaque to commemorate the 150th anniversary of this sporting and historical event.