BUILDING A WORLD FOR MAN !

 

The time has come Man must build and shape

this his World to his own measure.

Man would have peace.

Does he know the immensity of his resources ?

the greatnes of his power ?

A gathering-together of all man,

an affirmation of man's common faith in man.

Such is the high purpose

of the 1958 Brussels Universal Exhibition.

 

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Others

Front garden with the Belvedere in the background. The plantations with colourful flowers were very popular by people with interest for gardening

The Garden of the 4 Seasons between pavilions of Meurisse, Jacques, Pfaff, Coca-Cola, Cote d’Or and Dexion

The exhibition site was divided by a 450 metres long and 11 metres wide waterstairs. By night, the 53 illuminated steps created an enchanting glance.

Main entrance of the Garden of 4 Seasons

The fountains of the Esplanade and the end of the waterstairs

The Modern Garden of the Belgian section was garnished with modern artwork and very odd sculptures. This comforting scenery was particularly visited by tired people who found a welcome relaxation in the unique sphere of the garden.

Japanese garden with pool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lot of colourful flowers in the Ossegem park

 

Artistic pool under the overpass

 

A flowerfull park in the foreign section

Large flower boxes were specially made for the fair

Floating V’s in green surroundings, a striking item at the Gate of Nations

Fine exotic garden architecture at Expo 58

At the Square of Nations the overpass reached its top height

The other Expo-constructions

 

Besides the pavilions, there were built a lot of other constructions at the exhibition site.

Restful gardens, impressive bridges, lively squares, functional service buildings, refreshing pools with fountains and waterfalls contributed greatly to the posses charisma of Expo 58.

 

The Expo Gardens

 

The entire exhibition site was studded with nice flowerbeds and plantations but two larger gardens were situaded in the Belgian Section. Via the Esplanade people could reach the Garden of Four Seasons which was divided in 4 parts reproducing the seasons of a year.

Not so far away, in the same section was the Modern Garden situated. Surrounded with a couple of  restaurants and furnished with some modern sculptures it was a nice place to regain your strenght.

The tropical garden of  Belgian Congo was well visited. With never before seen flora, it was for many nature lovers a unicum in Belgium.

Another beautiful garden was located close to the Foreign Section and part of the Belvedere residency with a beautiful XVIII century park in the picture.

 

The Belvedere Residency

 

The historic Belvedere cottage was property of the Royal Donation and the official residency of the Expo 58 General-Commissioner.

He used it for his work an his staff, for receptions and garden parties. An increased, covered pergola was especially built for outdoor activities. Although the domain was part of the Expo site, it was not open to the public.

 

On the waterfront

 

Expo 58 was renowed for the many water constructions which were part of the different sections.

The Esplanade attracted attention because of the many fountains and the splashy water-works in front of the main hall.

The mighty waterstairs was a continuation of this.  The 450 metres long and 11 metres wide flight of stairs with 53 illuminated water basins had an ingenious irregation system.

Several lakes and smaller pools were mostly part of a contribution exeptionally the pool under the overpass. It was togheter with the neighbouring pool of the USA pavilion often used by tired visitors for a invigorating foot-bath.

 

Elevated bridge

 

The Expo terrain was dominated by a 450 metres long overpass called "Passerel". This 15 metres high and 25 metres wide construction winded all over the Foreign Section.

The construction was designed by architects to give tired visitors an easy way to cross the hilly terrain of this section.

This elevated concrete bridge had two traffic lanes and was used by the king as a straight connection between the Royal Gate and the heart of the world fair.

People got very nice views of the Foreign Section down from passing Expo-trains and Pousse-pousses or by wandering the overpass.

Often, this overpass was the reasen foreign press reporters ironic called Expo 58 "The Exhibition of Roofs".

The fountains and water basins of the Esplanade