Industrial street museum

In 1987, the Forges de Clabecq coking plant closed its doors for good and was demolished. Thus disappeared an interesting piece of Vilvoorde's industrial heritage. As a lasting reminder, the town council placed a giant ash from the machine hall of the closed coking plant on the little square on Gendarmerie Street. This became the start of the industrial street museum. Eleven other relics appeared throughout Vilvoorde in the following years, mainly in 1992 on the occasion of 800 years of city freedom. The bright colors the machines wear today owe them to the students of the De Vest special secondary school, who painted them in 2012 after a design by the artists of the Portaelskring. Since 2019, the machines have been under the hands of young artists. They refer with their work to the machines' past and to Vilvoorde's role as an industrial city.

The twelve machines together form a new bicycle tour (14 km) along Vilvoorde's rich industrial past. You will discover art, nature, city and industry from Far-West over Kassei to the Buda Bridge and back again. Expect dark forest trails, industrial grandeur and everyday Vilvoord streets. Along the way, you'll also encounter other landmarks. Look out for the Wyns-Bristol fireplace, the restored Legrand lace factory and Koekoekx's old crane.

📏 14 km
🕑 2h
📍 Park street (across from The Seventeen)
🏁 Park street (across from The Seventeen)