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How did the Willebroek Canal improve trade in Brussels?
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Brussels
Grand' Place (Grote Markt), Brussels.
The Willebroek Canal, constructed in 1561, significantly improved trade in Brussels by providing the city with direct waterborne access to the Rupel and Schelde rivers.1
This connection established a vital link to the port of Antwerp and the North Sea, effectively replacing the less efficient, sandy Senne River for commercial transport. By shortening navigation routes, the canal played a crucial role in facilitating the movement of goods and bolstering the city's commercial activities.12