Plattegrond van Charleroi, 1693 1693

Harmanus van Loon etched this plan of Charleroi in 1693, capturing the city’s fortifications. The star-shaped citadel, a common motif in military architecture of the time, is more than a defense; it's a symbol. This geometric layout, with its bastions extending like rays, reminds us of the sun—an ancient symbol of power and order. We see echoes of this radiating design in Renaissance city plans, drawing inspiration from cosmological diagrams and ideals of harmony. But in Charleroi, the star's protective function takes precedence. Think of the recurring motif of the labyrinth, or the fortress, designed to confound and protect. This impulse to create secure, ordered spaces is deeply embedded in our collective psyche, a response to the chaos and uncertainty of the world. It speaks to our primal need for safety, transforming a city into a visual emblem of resilience and control.