Hornu - Grand-Hornu Attractions

Hornu lies 10km/6miles to the west of Mons and is the oldest mining village of the Borinage. Here between 1814 and 1832 the industrialist Henri de Gorge put into operation his ideas, which were revolutionary for that time, for the unity of work and residence. The working complex of "Grand Hornu", now a protected monument, consisted of the mine, iron foundry, engineering offices, schools, a hospital, public squares, and 400 houses for workers. With an elliptical central square, around which were grouped the offices. Each worker's house had its own garden and the whole complex was financed by Henri de Gorge. In 1829 there were 2,500 people in "Grand Hornu".