Often Wondered why these barbed wire contraptions were called “Cheval de Frise” (literally Frisian Horse). It turns out the Dutch were using them to stop Spanish horses during their war of independence (1568-1648). Here I found them in the heart of Brussels, a stone’s throw from the Royal Palace. They are probably used to block the roads and protect the area. Made me think about what it was like in Berlin during the Cold War.