Ste Catherine in Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium — Northwestern Europe

Rue du Chien Marin / Zeehondstraat / “Sea Dog” Street

Ruelles et Impasses - Straatjes en Gangen

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 15, 2023

1. Rue du Chien Marin / Zeehondstraat / “Sea Dog” Street Marker

The inset map shows a number of little streets and passages, with historical markers ostensibly located where the green dots are shown. Note, however, that only a few of these markers are extant.

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Situation: entre la rue de Flandre, chaussée commerçante médiévale, et le quai aux Briques qui longe un des bassins du port inauguré en 1561.

Histoire: probablement tracée au début du 14 ^e s., elle préexistait à l'aménagement du nouveau port de Bruxelles en 1560.

Nom: nom cité à partir de 1560, en référence à un mammifère marin dont on aurait exhumé les restes lors du creusement des bassins du port.

A voir: niche de 1767 dédiée à saint Roch.

———

Ligging: tussen de Vlaamsesteenweg, middeleeuwse handelsweg, en de Baksteenkaai aan één van de dokken van de haven die in 1561 werd ingehuldigd.

Geschiedenis: vermoedelijk aangelegd in het begin van de 14^de e., bestond voor de aanleg van de nieuwe haven van Brussel in 1560.

Naam: vanaf 1560 aldus genaamd in verband met een zeezoogdier waarvan men de resten zou gevonden hebben bij het uitgraven van de havendokken.

Het zien waard: nis gewijd aan Sint-Rochus, gedateerd 1767.

————

(English translation)

Location:

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between the Vlaamsesteenweg, a mediaeval trade road, and the Baksteen quay on one of the docks of the port that was inaugurated in 1561.

History: probably built in the early 14th century, existed before the construction of the new port of Brussels in 1560.

Name: from 1560, so named in connection with a marine mammal (seal?) whose remains were found during the excavation of the harbor docks.

Worth seeing: a niche dedicated to Saint Roch, dated 1767.

Erected by Ville de Bruxelles.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1561.

Location. 50° 51.114′ N, 4° 20.86′ E. Marker is in Bruxelles, Brussels. It is in Ste Catherine. Marker is at the intersection of Rue du Chien Marin and Baksteenkai, on the right when traveling west on Rue du Chien Marin. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bruxelles, Brussels 1000, Belgium. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Revolving Bridge / Drehbrücke “des Barques” (within shouting distance of this marker); Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste au Béguinage / Church of Saint John the Baptist at the Béguinage (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Tour Noire / Zwarte Toren / Black Tower (about 180 meters away); Rue de la Cigogne / Ooievarstraat / “Stork” Street

“Sea Dog” Street Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 15, 2023

2. “Sea Dog” Street Marker - wide view

(about 210 meters away); Monument: au Pigeon Soldat / aan de Oorlogs Duif / to the War Pigeons (1914-1918) (about 240 meters away); Emile Jacqmain (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Adolphe Max (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Le Passage du Nord / De Noord-Passage / The Northern Gallery / Die Nord-Passage (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bruxelles.

Also see . . . La rue du Chien Marin | De Zeehondstraat (ArchivIris, in Dutch and French). Short article on the history of the street, with several photos and illustrations.

On the origin of the name (in translation): Different stories arose about the origin of the name, but many historians now agree on the same version: during excavations of the Merchants Binnendok in 1560, the body of a marine mammal (a seal or an elephant seal) was found. Some versions even claim that the remains of the animal were displayed in one of the houses of the street for a fee.

(Submitted on May 15, 2023.)

Rue du Chien Marin / Zeehondstraat / “Sea Dog” Street Marker - wide view, looking west image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 15, 2023

3. Rue du Chien Marin / Zeehondstraat / “Sea Dog” Street Marker - wide view, looking west

Rue du Chien Marin / Zeehondstraat / “Sea Dog” Street Marker - wide view looking east image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 15, 2023

4. Rue du Chien Marin / Zeehondstraat / “Sea Dog” Street Marker - wide view looking east

This view is looking east from the Rue de Flandre, where an identical marker is located.

Niche devoted to St. Roch (as noted on the marker) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 15, 2023

5. Niche devoted to St. Roch (as noted on the marker)

Rue du Chien Marin - postcard view image. Click for full size.

circa 1910

6. Rue du Chien Marin - postcard view

Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 15, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.