Matonge African Quarter

The Square Patrice Lumumba occupies a small, triangular patch of greenery tucked between the Saint-Boniface church and the surrounding limestone townhouses. It bears the name of the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the…

The Cinema Vendôme sits tucked behind a plain, light-colored facade with a distinctive, slightly curved marquee that marks the entrance. Built in nineteen thirty-nine, the theater was once one of the most elegant cinemas in Brussels,…

The storefront window of GT World of Beauty is packed with an array of hair extensions, colorful wigs, and specialized grooming products that cater to the diverse community of the Matongé neighborhood. This shop is a hub for the African…

Chez Nous Sawa sits on the corner with its bright sign and the smell of braised fish drifting onto the sidewalk. This restaurant is a centerpiece for the Congolese community in Brussels. When the neighborhood needs a place to hold a…

The Galerie Matonge is a narrow, covered pedestrian passage connecting the Chaussée de Wavre to the Rue du Longue Vie. Its ceiling is covered in a dense, faded pattern of red and yellow geometric tiles, a remnant of its construction in the…

The Zando Yamatonge is a covered arcade featuring storefronts painted in bright, vibrant colors that stand out against the grey Brussels sky. It was built during the nineteen seventies when the neighborhood became a gathering point for…