Central Boulevards of Brussels

The Central Boulevards (French: Boulevards du Centre; Dutch: Centrale Lanen) are a series of grand boulevards in central Brussels, Belgium. They were constructed following the covering of the river Senne (1867–1871), as part of the major urban works by the architect Léon Suys under the tenure of the city's then-mayor, Jules Anspach. They are from south to north and from west to east: the Boulevard Maurice Lemonnier/Maurice Lemonnierlaan, the Boulevard Anspach/Anspachlaan, the Boulevard Adolphe Max/Adolphe Maxlaan, and the Boulevard Émile Jacqmain/Émile Jacqmainlaan. The latter two branch off from the Place de Brouckère/De Brouckèreplein. Other major squares on the Central Boulevards are the Place de la Bourse/Beursplein, the Place Fontainas/Fontainasplein and the Place Anneessens/Anneessensplein.

The covering of the Senne and the completion of the Central Boulevards allowed the construction of the modern buildings that are focal to downtown Brussels today. The wide, straight boulevards were lined with stately Haussmann-esque buildings, housing prestigious apartments that were among the country's first. Architectural quality was stimulated by two architectural competitions. Public buildings such as the former Brussels Stock Exchange, the Midi Palace, and the (now demolished) Central Halls, were also built on the boulevards. By 1895, continuous construction had been realised in an eclectic array of styles.

In the 20th century, especially following the 1958 Brussels World's Fair (Expo 58), the Central Boulevards evolved into an axis for motorised traffic. In 1976, tram traffic was brought underground by the opening of the North–South Axis. The idea of an urban motorway was ultimately abandoned following "protest picnics" in 2012, and since 2015, the central part of the boulevards has been pedestrianised.