Tenbosch Park in Ixelles has been added to the list of classified sites in the Brussels region, as announced on Thursday by Brussels State Secretary for Heritage, Ans Persoons.
This urban park, which hosts over 400 plant species, is noted for its high scientific value, exceptional botanical diversity, and unique history.
The park’s history dates back to 1885, when the Semet-Solvay family purchased land on the Chaussée de Vleurgat to build a château. Originally, the garden included an orchard and a vegetable plot.
In the 1950s, Jean-Louis Semet, a dendrologist and plant collector, expanded the estate by acquiring adjacent plots between Rue Hector Denis and Chaussée de Vleurgat. He replaced his grandparents’ home with a more modern building, which now houses the Indian Embassy.
With the assistance of gardener Hector Noyer, Semet developed an arboretum containing many rare trees and plants, mostly sourced from Anglo-Saxon nurseries of the time, between 1953 and 1980.
In 1982, the property became publicly owned with plans to open it to the public. Landscape architect René Pechère redesigned the layout to enhance the original collections and improve visitor accessibility, and Tenbosch Park has been officially open to the public since 1986.
The park’s core botanical value lies in its collections of magnolias, maples, chestnuts, lindens, and oaks, providing a sanctuary for birds and other wildlife. According to Ans Persoons, the park also boasts remarkable landscape and aesthetic qualities.
Several buildings within and around the park have also been classified by the Brussels government decision, including the former concierge’s house dating back to around 1900, the administrative building, and the gardeners’ technical area.
