Anderlecht (; ) is one of the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. Located in the south-western part of the region, it is bordered by the City of Brussels, Forest, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, and Saint-Gilles, as well as the Flanders municipalities of Dilbeek and Sint-Pieters-Leeuw. In common with all of Brussels' municipalities, it is legally Multilingualism (French–Dutch).
There are several historically and architecturally distinct districts within Anderlecht. , the municipality had a population of 126,581 inhabitants.
History
Origins and medieval times
The first traces of human activity on the right bank of the
Zenne date from the
Stone Age and
Bronze Age. The remnants of a
Ancient Rome villa and of a
Franks necropolis were also found on the territory of Anderlecht. The first mention of the name
Anderlecht, however, dates only from 1047 under the forms
Anrelech, then
Andrelet (1111),
Andreler (1148), and
Anderlech (1186). At that time, this community was already home to a chapter of canons and to two feudal
Manorialism, those of the powerful
of Aa and of Anderlecht.
In 1356, the Count of Flanders, Louis II, fought against Brussels on the territory of Anderlecht, in the so-called Battle of Scheut, supposedly over a monetary matter.[Jean Baptiste Nicolas Coomans, Jeanne Goetghebuer : chronique brabançonne du XIVe siècle (in French), Brussels, Coomans, 1854, p.57] Although he defeated his sister-in-law, the Duchess of Brabant, Joanna, and briefly took her title, she regained it the following year with the help of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV. In 1393, Joanna's charter made Anderlecht a part of Brussels. It is also around this time that the church of Saint Guy was rebuilt in Brabantine Gothic style above an earlier Romanesque crypt.
15th–18th centuries
The village of Anderlecht became a beacon of culture in the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1521, the Dutch
Humanism writer and
Theology Erasmus stayed in the
Erasmus House for a few months. Charles, Duke of Aumale and Grand Veneur of France also had a residence there.
The 17th and 18th centuries were marked by the wars between the Low Countries and France. During the Nine Years' War, it is from the high ground of Scheut, in the northern part of Anderlecht, that the bombardment of Brussels of 1695 took place. Together with the resulting fire, it was the most destructive event in the entire history of Brussels. On 13 November 1792, right after the Battle of Jemappes, General Dumouriez and the French Revolutionary army routed the there once again.[ Pierre-François (1821). Précis ou histoire a brégée des guerres de la Révolution française (in French), p. 13][Antoine de Jomini, Histoire critique et militaire des guerres de la Révolution: Campagne de 1792 (in French), t. 2, Paris, 1820, p. 238–239.] Among the consequences were the disbanding of the canons and Anderlecht being proclaimed an independent municipality by the French.
By the end of the 18th century, Anderlecht including its dependencies, which extended to Brussels' city walls, counted around 2,000 inhabitants. In Scheut, on the site of the Carthusian Monastery, stood a chapel called Our Lady of Scheut, whose pleasant location, in the middle of a grove, made this place very popular at the time.[Bart Fransen, Restanten van een meesterwerk : de bouwsculptuur van de kapel van Scheut, in: Millennium, Tijdschrift voor middeleeuwse studies (in Dutch), 2009, no. 1–2, p. 112–128]
19th century and later
The 19th century saw a remarkable population growth, mainly because of the proximity to a rapidly expanding Brussels. The italic=no/italic=no was laid out in 1828, through the former property of the Carthusians. The population multiplied by ten between 1830 and 1890 and doubled again between 1890 and 1910. Along the italic=no/italic=no and the Brussels–Charleroi Canal, a series of industrial and
working-class districts connected the centre of Anderlecht to Cureghem.
Remarkable new urban developments and garden cities such as Het Rad, Moortebeek and italic=no/italic=no were built at the beginning of the 20th century to house the influx of newcomers. Following World War II, some remaining green parts of the municipality also made way for large-scale urban renewal following the modernist Athens Charter and Park system, such as the housing projects Scherdemael, Peterbos and Marius Renard in the upper town, and Aurore near the canal.
In recent years, Anderlecht has gained international attention thanks to its very successful football club.
Geography
Location
Anderlecht is located in the north-central part of Belgium, about from the Belgian coast and about from Belgium's southern tip. It is located in the heartland of the Brabantian Plateau, about south of
Antwerp (
Flanders), and north of
Charleroi (
Wallonia). It is the westernmost municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region and is an important crossing point for the Brussels–Charleroi Canal, which cuts the municipality in two from the west. With an area of , it is also the third largest municipality in the region after the City of Brussels and
Uccle. It is bordered by the City of Brussels, Forest, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, and Saint-Gilles, as well as the Flemish municipalities of
Dilbeek and Sint-Pieters-Leeuw.
Climate
Anderlecht, in common with the rest of Brussels, experiences an
oceanic climate (Köppen:
Cfb) with warm summers and cool winters.
Proximity to coastal areas influences the area's climate by sending marine air masses from the
Atlantic Ocean. Nearby wetlands also ensure a maritime temperate climate. On average (based on measurements in the period 1991–2020), there are approximately 130 days of rain per year in the region. It also often experiences violent thunderstorms in summer months.
Districts
The territory of Anderlecht is very heterogeneous and is characterised by a mixture of larger districts including smaller residential and (formerly) industrial neighbourhoods. The area along the canal is currently experiencing a large revitalisation programme, as part of the Plan Canal of the
Brussels.
Historical centre
The historical centre of Anderlecht is the municipality's central district. Formerly known as
Rinck, it is divided into several sectors:
-
The italic=no/italic=no district, also called the italic=no/italic=no district, is the meeting point for those who hail to the heart of Anderlecht. It is also where the Place de la Vaillance/Dapperheidsplein (Anderlecht's central square), the Church of St. Guido, the italic=no/italic=no, as well as Anderlecht's main schools are located. The italic=no/italic=no is the municipality's main shopping street. It is centred on the italic=no/italic=no and some neighbouring streets.
-
The smaller Aumale district in its northern part mainly comprises the italic=no/italic=no and its surrounding streets. It includes the Erasmus House (a museum devoted to the Dutch Humanism writer and Theology Erasmus), the old beguinage (a late medieval lay convent, now a museum dedicated to religious community life), as well as the Bibliothèque de l'Espace Maurice Carême French-language public library.
Cureghem/Kuregem
Located in the north-east of Anderlecht,
is one of the municipality's largest and most populated districts. It developed during the Industrial Revolution along the Brussels–Charleroi Canal and is currently in a fragile social and economic situation due to the decline of its economy and the poor quality of some of its housing. Between 1836 and 1991, the district housed the Royal School of Veterinary Medicine, now moved to Liège but often still referred to as
Cureghem.
The old campus, listed as protected heritage,
is currently undergoing a large rehabilitation process.
Three listed buildings—the former Atlas Brewery,
the old power station, and the former Moulart Mill
—are testaments to the old industrial activities next to the waterway. The Municipal Hall of Anderlecht is located on the italic=no/italic=no, in the heart of this district.
In its lower part, bordering the City of Brussels, are the Square de l'Aviation/Luchtvaartsquare
and the italic=no/italic=no.
Meir
Located to the south of the historical centre of Anderlecht, this district is centred on the Meir Roundabout and
Astrid Park, where the football club R.S.C. Anderlecht plays its home matches in the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium. Decided shortly before the First World War, the development of this residential neighbourhood took place mainly between the two
. Aimed at the
middle class, it forms an extremely coherent and well-preserved architectural ensemble where the
Art Deco style predominates.
Veeweyde/Veeweide
italic=no/italic=no is centrally located in the upper part of Anderlecht, south of the Meir district. It includes the Busselenberg (a residential area centred around the park of the same name), the smaller Musicians' district (a residential area between the italic=no/italic=no and the italic=no/italic=no), as well as the Aurore
housing estate on the banks of the canal.
La Roue/Het Rad
Located in the south of Anderlecht, La Roue/Het Rad ("The Wheel") is one of the municipality's largest districts and one of Brussels' main garden cities. It is crossed by the last end of the Chaussée de Mons in Brussels, and is bounded to the east by the Brussels–Charleroi Canal and to the south by the Flemish municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, in the
Pajottenland. Mostly built in the 1920s, with its modest and
picturesque houses, it offers a vision of an early 20th-century
working-class neighbourhood. At its southern edge, it is also home to one of the largest agribusiness industry campuses in Belgium: the Food and Chemical Industries Education and Research Center (CERIA/COOVI),
as well as large department stores.
Scheut
Located in the north of Anderlecht,
Scheut is bounded by the border with the municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean to the north, the historical centre of Anderlecht to the south, the Birmingham district to the east, the Scheutveld district to the west and the semi-natural site of the Scheutbos to the north-west. It is in this district, on the italic=no/italic=no, that lay the foundations of the Scheutveld College, on 28 April 1863, by the Catholic priest Theophile Verbist. The congregation of Scheut Missionaries went on to
Evangelism China, Mongolia, the Philippines, as well as the Congo Free State/
Belgian Congo (modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo).
Main sights
Anderlecht has a rich cultural and architectural heritage.
Some of the main points of interest include:
-
The Municipal Hall of Anderlecht, located on the italic=no/italic=no, designed in neo-Flemish Renaissance style by the architect , which was opened in 1879.
-
The Collegiate Church of St. Peter and St. Guido, located in the municipality's historical centre, on the northern side of the Place de la Vaillance/Dapperheidsplein, its main square. Its Romanesque crypt dates from the 10th century and is one of the oldest in Belgium. It contains a very old tombstone considered to be the grave of the 11th-century Saint Guy. Most of the church, however, dates from around 1350 and later, with most of the currently visible architecture representing the Ogee style (15th–16th centuries). Construction of the tower started in 1517 but ceased with the square part up to the balcony, and was not completed until 1898.
[Eug. De Seyn, "Geschied- en aardrijkskundig woordenboek der Belgische gemeenten" ( Historic and Geographic Dictionary of Belgian communes), A. Bieleveld, Brussels 1933-1934.]
-
The Erasmus House, built between 1460 and 1515, with its medicinal plants and philosophical gardens, which can be visited nearby. Right next to the church, the old beguinage is home to a local history museum. Both institutions are now managed jointly as the Erasmus House & Beguinage Museums.
-
The Synagogue of Anderlecht, an Orthodox Judaism synagogue designed in Art Deco style by the architect and completed in 1933.
-
The National Memorial to the Jewish Martyrs of Belgium, a monument commemorating the 24,600 Belgian Jewish martyrs of World War II, designed by the architects André Godart and Odon Dupire, and completed in 1970. It is located in the centre of the italic=no/italic=no, which was created for the occasion.
-
The National Museum of the Resistance, which traces the history of the Belgian Resistance and German occupation of Belgium during World War II.
-
The Museum of China – Scheut, which houses documents and pieces brought back to Europe by the congregation of Scheut Missionaries, including a 15th-century bronze Buddha.
-
The Maurice Carême Museum, in the Maison blanche where the Belgian poet lived and wrote.
-
The Luizenmolen in Neerpede, a replica of an old windmill which once stood on the site.
-
The Cureghem Cellars (French: Caves de Cureghem, Dutch: Kelders van Kuregem), a subterranean complex of handmade brick caves with vaults, pillars, and arches, originally the site of a cattle market covered by a Wrought iron roof in the 1890s.
-
The Cantillon Brewery, a gueuze museum established in an actual working brewery.
-
The Museum of Medicine, located on the Erasme/ Erasmus campus of the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB).
-
The Jean-Claude Van Damme statue, located on the italic=no/italic=no, near the Westland Shopping Center.
File:Maison d'Érasme.jpg|Erasmus House
File:AnderlechtBegijnhof.jpg|Beguinage of Anderlecht
File:Cité de Moortebeek 04.JPG|Moortebeek garden city
File:Anderlecht2019 21.jpg|italic=no / italic=no
File:Anderlecht Justice de Paix 2014.JPG|Justice de Paix of Anderlecht
Demographics
Historical population
Historically, the population of Anderlecht was quite low. The municipality counted around 2,000 inhabitants at the beginning of the 19th century. However, following the Industrial Revolution, the population underwent a remarkable growth, peaking at 103,796 in 1970. From then, it began to decrease slightly to a low of 87,812 in 2000, before increasing again rapidly in recent years.
[Sources: INS: 1806 to 1981= census; 1990 and later = population on 1 January]
, the population was 126,581.
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-
Sources: INS: 1806 to 1980 = census; 1990 and later = population on 1 January
Foreign population
Migrant communities in Anderlecht with over 1,000 people as of 1 January 2020:
|
| 7,405 |
| 4,924 |
| 2,985 |
| 2,743 |
| 2,727 |
| 2,628 |
| 2,549 |
| 1,717 |
|
|
|
| | | |
|
|
| Neighbouring country | 2,231 | |
| EU27 (excluding neighbouring country) | 5,661 | |
| Outside EU 27 | 51,382 | 41.08% |
|
| Neighbouring country | 3,371 | |
| EU27 (excluding neighbouring country) | 18,387 | |
| Outside EU 27 | 21,348 | 17.07% |
| | | |
|
Politics
The current city council was elected in the October 2018 elections.
The current mayor of Anderlecht is
Fabrice Cumps, a member of PS, who alongside the other parties on their list, sp.a and cdH, is in coalition on the municipal council with
Ecolo - Groen, DéFI and Forward.
| +Anderlecht local election – 14 October 2018 |
| |
|
|
| - sp.a - cdH | 14,023 | 29.73 | 7.04 | | 5 |
| - Open Vld - IC | 10,628 | 22.53 | 3.61 | | 2 |
| - Groen | 7,320 | 15.52 | 4.17 | | 3 |
| | 6,891 | 14.61 | 12.92 | | 7 |
| | 3,581 | 7.59 | 0.26 | | |
| | 1,950 | 4.13 | 0.94 | | 1 |
| | 1,006 | 2.13 | 1.53 | | 1 |
| Plus | 716 | 1.52 | New | | - |
| | Others | 1,059 | 2.25 | New | | - |
Events
The annual Anderlecht fair, originally a cattle fair, was authorised by William II of the Netherlands in 1825. Since then, it has taken the form of a series of celebrations, which still include animal shows but also a large market, a floral show, and the recreation of a religious
procession in honour of Saint Guy.
Economy
The Abattoirs of Anderlecht, located at 24, italic=no/italic=no in Cureghem, is the main
slaughterhouse in Brussels, employing some 1,500 people. In addition to its main activities, the Great Hall serves as a covered market for food and
.
In recent years, several major international companies have set up their headquarters in Anderlecht, notably the Delhaize Group, which operates many supermarket chains, from 40, Marie Curie Square,[" Contacts ." Delhaize Group. Retrieved on 16 May 2012. "Square Marie Curie 40 1070 Brussels - Belgium"] Coca-Cola Benelux at 1424, italic=no/italic=no,
Healthcare
Several hospitals and clinics are located in Anderlecht:
-
Erasmus Hospital
-
Jules Bordet Institute
-
Joseph Bracops Hospital
-
St. Anne St. Remigius Clinic
Sports
Football
Anderlecht is the home of the football club RSC Anderlecht, the most successful Belgian football team in European competition as well as in the Belgian First Division with 34 titles.
The club's home stadium is the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, located within
Astrid Park. The team colours are white and purple.
Parks and green spaces
Green spaces in the municipality include:
-
Astrid Park
-
italic=no/italic=no, in Scheut
-
Scherdemael Park
-
Peterbos Park
-
Joseph Lemaire Park
-
Jean Vives Park
-
italic=no/italic=no, in Neerpede
-
italic=no/italic=no, in Cureghem
-
The Vogelzang or Vogelenzang, a natural protected area
Notable inhabitants
-
Saint Guy ( 950–1012), known as the Poor Man of Anderlecht, patron saint of Anderlecht
[ Guy of Anderlecht at saints.sqpn.com. Retrieved 26.March 2013]
-
Adrian VI (1459–1523), pope, theologian, rector at the University of Leuven, canon at the chapter of Anderlecht
-
(1900–1966), politician and mayor of Anderlecht
-
Jacques Brel (1929–1978), singer-songwriter and actor. He lived from 1942 to 1951 at 7, italic=no/italic=no, and worked from 1946 to 1953 in the family cardboard box factory Vanneste & Brel (now SCA Packaging) at 18, italic=no/italic=no. A nearby metro station is named after him.
-
Maurice Carême (1899–1978), poet
-
Fernand Dineur (1904–1956), cartoonist
-
, also known as Zidrou (born 1962), comic book artist
-
Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536), Humanism and theologian
-
(1939–2006), actor, stage manager and professor of the Théâtre royal des Galeries
-
(1921–2014), architect
-
Désiré Keteleer (1920–1970), cycle sport
-
Filip Peeters (born 1962), Flemish actor
-
Germaine Schneider (1903–1945), Belgian-Swiss member of the Resistance during World War II
-
Henri Seroka (born 1949), singer and composer
-
Henri Simonet (1931–1996), politician and mayor of Anderlecht
-
Jacques Simonet (1963–2007), politician, mayor of Anderlecht, and Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region
-
(1899–1981), architect
-
Philippe Thys (1889–1971), cyclist and three-time champion of the Tour de France
-
Tonia (Arlette Antoine Dominicus) (born 1947), singer, represented Belgium at the 11th Eurovision Song Contest in 1966
-
Toots Thielemans (1922–2016), jazz musician
-
William Vance (1935–2018), comic book artist
-
Constant Vanden Stock (1914–2008), entrepreneur, footballer, functionary, and coach of the Belgium national team
-
Virgile Vandeput (born 1994), Belgian-born alpine skier who competes for Israel
-
Régine Zylberberg, better known as Régine (1929–2022), chanson singer, actress, clothing designer and nightclub entrepreneur
Born in Anderlecht:
-
Princess Elisabeth (born 2001), Duchess of Brabant, the eldest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde; heiress
-
Princes Gabriel and Emmanuel and Princess Eléonore; 2nd, 3rd and 4th in line to the throne of Belgium
-
Yannick Mertens (born 1987), professional tennis player
International relations
Twin towns and sister cities
Anderlecht is
Sister city with:
-
Boulogne-Billancourt, France
-
Berlin-Neukölln, Germany
-
London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, United Kingdom
-
Zaandam, Netherlands
-
Marino, Italy
In addition, Anderlecht has signed a friendship agreement with:
Citations
Bibliography
External links
