The Spy of Nivelles — Uncover a WWII Resistance Network

Your investigation begins at the Forecourt of the Collégiale Sainte-Gertrude, a Belgian historical monument whose 72-meter-high western tower, completed in the 11th century, is classified as a major heritage site of Wallonia. Founded in 1046 by Countess Gertrude of Nivelles, daughter of Albert II of Namur, this Romanesque church was severely damaged during the 1940 bombings. It was here, at the beginning of the occupation, that the first information about enemy movements was exchanged, often concealed in the nooks of its ancient architecture. The Carolingian remains of the 10th-century crypt, housing the relics of Saint Gertrude, might hold unsuspected clues for your mission in Nivelles.

Continue your investigation around the Collégiale Sainte-Gertrude, where the shadow of the 1940 events still lingers. The walls of this edifice, a witness to nine centuries of history, have seen generations of Nivelles residents pass by. As a Resistance spy, every architectural detail, every Romanesque stone could be a meeting point or a hiding place. Intelligence documents from the time mention messages left near the main entrance, a compulsory passage for the population. The Collégiale is the heart of Nivelles, and it is by observing it carefully that you will discover the first clues left by your contact.

Nivelles' Grand-Place, surrounded by 17th-18th century buildings, is your next stop. This market site since the Middle Ages became the nerve center of the occupied city between 1940 and 1944. The Nivelles City Hall, built between 1641 and 1646 in a classical baroque style, dominates the square with its 45-meter-wide facade and its pediment adorned with allegorical sculptures. Classified as a historical monument in 1952, it has been the seat of the municipal administration since 1795. The Saint-Gertrude fountain, installed in 1863 with its 1.8 m polychrome statue, served as a discreet rallying point for agents. It was here that the occupier's orders were often posted, offering an opportunity to hide coded messages in plain sight.

Your route then takes you to Ruelle Sainte-Gertrude, a narrow paved passage in the historic quarter, adjacent to the Collégiale and dating back to the Middle Ages. This link between the Grand-Place and the church square, used since the 11th century and lined with remains of 17th-century gabled houses, was an ideal place for secret meetings. Further on, in the Grand-Place, the Saint-Paul Fountain, erected in 1865 in cast iron and restored in 2005, depicts Saint Paul with a height of 3.5 meters. Fed by a local spring, it was a vital water point and a gathering place where conversations could be overheard without arousing suspicion. These discreet locations were essential for the survival of the Walloon Brabant resistance network.

Finally, your quest leads you to the Parc de la Dodaine, a 5-hectare landscaped park developed in the 19th century along the Dodaine river, 500 m from the starting point. Formerly an abbey property, opened to the public in 1830, it offers pedestrian paths crossing 1.5 km of the city center. It was in this green setting that Resistance agents could meet more freely, away from the prying ears of central Nivelles. As a spy, you will retrieve the last piece of the puzzle here, deciphering plans for the evacuation of vital information. Your interactive visit will have allowed you to retrace the history of Nivelles under occupation, discovering the courage of those who fought for freedom in Walloon Brabant.