Vilvoorde, Friday morning, 10:07 a.m. We get off the train and walk along Stationlei towards Heldenplein. Only a handful of people brave the crisp morning air. Next to us on the road, only a few 'steel horses' pass by. Our first real 'horse' should be standing in the middle of Heldenplein, but in the end we have to settle for an image of it in the ErfgoedApp. The real statue has been temporarily relocated pending the redevelopment of the square.
We continue walking towards the Grote Markt with the ErfgoedApp, which tells us the story of the Met. Located in the heart of the city, the Met is now known as a cozy brasserie, but until 1974, it was the site of the weekly market, where horse meat was also sold. We were unable to verify whether the brasserie still offers horse meat dishes on its menu. A little later , we stop at restaurant De Kuiper, which has specialized in horse meat dishes for over 150 years.
Left: Brasserie De Met © Lowie Bergmans. Right: Old image of restaurant De Kuiper © VisitVilvoorde.
Why horse meat?
Due to its location close to Brussels, there was not much space in Vilvoorde to keep livestock such as cattle or sheep. Horses, however, were abundant: until the beginning of the 20th century, they were essential to local industry. The famous Brabant draft horses were used to pull barges across the Senne and later across the Brussels-Scheldt canal. In Drenkplaatsstraat, we learn that the draft horses in Vilvoorde found a place to rest and drink on the banks of the Senne. Horses that were no longer suitable for heavy draft work were forced to serve as food for the people of Vilvoorde.
Not just as food
Today, the consumption of horse meat in Vilvoorde is more of a tradition than a necessity. The city's residents are proud of 'their' Brabant draft horse, which is clearly evident at the annual Vilvoorde fair. The highlight is the competitions held for draft horses and other livestock. People come from far and wide to Roosevelt Square in the heart of the city to participate in or enjoy this spectacle. Unfortunately, we were just a little too early to see the real horses parading on the square, but we did manage to spot a stone replica. The jury's verdict: passed with flying colors!
Left: Stone statue of a Brabant draft horse © Lowie Bergmans. Right: A pair of horses during the horse inspection at the Vilvoorde Annual Fair © Vilvoorde.be.
This year, the annual fair will take place on April 22, 2024, traditionally the third Monday after Easter Monday.
Would you like to come and taste, literally and/or figuratively, the traditions of Vilvoorde and learn more about the special relationship between the city and horses? Then be sure to check out the Pjeirefretters walk in the ErfgoedApp visit Visit Vilvoorde - city full of vibes for even more fun activities in this city.
