Belgium

Freemasonry in belgium

The Grand Temple, 73 Laeken Street, 1000 Brussels
Freemasonry in Belgium has a rich history and a remarkable heritage that reflects the evolution and influence of the movement since the founding of the first lodges in the 18th century. The Masonic heritage in Belgium includes an impressive number of lodge buildings, each with a unique architectural style and rich symbolism. The most well-known lodge buildings are located in major cities such as Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Liège, but there are also historic lodge buildings in Bruges, Tournai, and Namur that are open to the public on certain occasions. One of the most iconic is the building of the Grand Orient of Belgium in Brussels, dating from 1910, located on Rue de Laeken next to the Belgian Museum of Freemasonry. This is where the grand temple ‘Henri La Fontaine’ is located, the largest Masonic temple on the European continent. The Grand Temple ‘Amon Râ’ on Rue du Persil in Brussels, inaugurated in 1879 and renovated in 2015, the temple of the Lodge ‘Le Septentrion’ in Ghent, built in 1834, and the temple on Rue du Boucher in Bruges, built in 1912, along with other temples in various cities, also open their doors during special occasions.

The preservation and protection of Masonic heritage in Belgium are crucial for preserving this cultural and historical heritage. Various organizations and institutions are committed to preserving buildings, rituals, and archives and sharing them with the public. The Belgian Museum of Freemasonry in Brussels plays a central role in this regard, offering exhibitions and educational programs that make the history and meaning of Freemasonry accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, the museum organizes numerous other activities, such as guided tours of the various temples in the neighboring building, a walking tour through Brussels, where one can discover, under the guidance of a guide, how Masonic architects and sculptors have left their mark on the urban fabric of Brussels.

Another important aspect of Masonic heritage in Belgium is the extensive libraries and archives. These collections contain rare manuscripts, ancient ritual texts, and historical documents that provide insight into the development of Freemasonry over the centuries. The library of the Belgian Center for Masonic Studies and Documentation (Cedom) in Brussels is one of the most comprehensive, containing a wealth of information on Belgian and international Freemasonry. Most of the archives in this center are freely accessible

The Blue Temple, Laeken Street, Brussels

The English Temple, Laeken Street, Brussels
The Temple of the lodge “Le Septentrion” in Ghent

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France

Along the paths of the Masonic Architecture and Heritage Route, there are exceptional sites to discover in the South, along the western Atlantic coast, and up to the capital. These sites are true discoveries not to be missed.

Belgium

The diversity and remarkable architecture of the Temples in Belgium, whether in Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, Liège, or Bruges, Tournai, and Namur, truly encourage exploring the paths of Freemasonry. The cultural and historical heritage is also noteworthy and will surely spark the curiosity of everyone!

Austria

In Austria, the paths lead to Vienna, rich in Masonic history, which can be discovered throughout its well-restored streets and buildings. Exploring this history takes one back to a significant heritage, from Mozart to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, where Freemasonry is prominently present.

Poland

In Poland, the journey first leads to the University Library of Poznan to see 80,000 Masonic works in various languages, including 2,400 in French dating back to 1730, which were stolen during World War II by the Nazis.

Next, in Tarnowskie Góry, a UNESCO-listed town, the cultural heritage has been enriched thanks to the town hall, which recovered objects from two Masonic lodges destroyed by the Nazi regime to create a museum. In this region, rich in silver mines, Freemasonry was highly developed. In the same town, a beautifully reconstructed castle houses a Masonic museum and a temple with Masonic furniture, where the lodge of the Grand Lodge of France has been able to meet for its work. One can spend a few days there, as there is a hotel and a restaurant.

Romania

Since 1848, there existed in the center of Bucharest a ‘Street of the Freemasons,’ which retained this name until October 1940 (renamed Ștefan Furtună during the communist era and Mircea Vulcănescu since 1990). The ‘Master Mason Manole Walk’ attests to a myth of the guild of church builders in the Middle Ages on the territory of present-day Romania, which Mircea Eliade had already connected to the founding myths of Freemasonry. The country offers explorers all sorts of discoveries of remarkable architectural and Masonic heritage sites.

Serbia

A stroll through Belgrade offers many architectural surprises, revealing true treasures engraved on the facades of buildings. You will also find two suggested walks in the city, which provide a glimpse into Serbian heritage that has been miraculously preserved despite challenging periods since 1940. Enjoy the discovery !

Slovenia

The seed of Freemasonry fell on Slovenian soil as early as the 18th century, but it was only with the Illyrian Provinces that it began to sprout within the local population. Historical circumstances then froze this growth, but when it finally flourished at the end of the 20th century, Slovenian Freemasonry drew from this same source. The paths are diverse and attractive in strolls through the capital.

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