Anderlecht

This article is about the town. For the football club, see R.S.C. Anderlecht.
Anderlecht
Municipality

Flag

Coat of arms
Anderlecht

Location in Belgium

Coordinates: 50°50′N 04°20′E / 50.833°N 4.333°E / 50.833; 4.333Coordinates: 50°50′N 04°20′E / 50.833°N 4.333°E / 50.833; 4.333
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
French Community
Region Brussels
Arrondissement Brussels
Government
  Mayor Gaëtan Van Goidsenhoven (MR)
  Governing party/ies LB - PS-SP.A-CDH
Area
  Total 17.74 km2 (6.85 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2013)[1]
  Total 111,279
  Density 6,300/km2 (16,000/sq mi)
Postal codes 1070
Area codes 02
Website www.anderlecht.be

Anderlecht (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɑndərˌlɛxt]; French pronunciation: [ɑ̃dɛʁlɛkt]) is one of the nineteen municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region. There are several historically and architecturally distinct districts within the Anderlecht municipality.

History

Origins and medieval times

The first traces of human activity on the right bank of the Senne date from the Stone Age and Bronze Age. The remnants of a Roman villa and of a Frankish 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 manors, those of the powerful lords of Aa and of Anderlecht.

In 1356, Louis of Male, Count of Flanders fought against Brussels on the territory of Anderlecht, in the so-called Battle of Scheut, supposedly over a monetary matter. Although he defeated his sister-in-law, Joanna, Duchess of Brabant, and briefly took her title, she regained it the following year with the help of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor. In 1393, Joanna’s charter made Anderlecht a part of Brussels. It is also around this time that the church of Saint Guido was rebuilt above the earlier Romanesque crypt in the Brabant Gothic style.

Collegial Church of St. Peter and St. Guido

15th century until now

The city of Anderlecht became a beacon of culture in the 15th and 16th century. In 1521, Erasmus lived in the canons’ house for a few months. Charles, Duke of Aumale and Grand Veneur of France also had a residence here.

Anderlecht town hall

The 17th and 18th century were marked by the wars between the Low Countries and France. On November 13, 1792, right after the Battle of Jemappes, General Dumouriez and the French Revolutionary army routed the Austrians here once again. Among the consequences were the disbanding of the canons and Anderlecht being proclaimed an independent commune by the French. The 19th century saw a remarkable population growth, mainly because of the proximity to a rapidly expanding Brussels. Remarkable new urban developments and garden cities such as Het Rad and Moortenbeek were built at the beginning of the 20th century to house the influx of newcomers. Today, the name Anderlecht rings a bell in every Belgian ear thanks to its very successful football club.

Events

The annual Anderlecht fair, originally a cattle fair, was authorized 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 outdoors exhibitions, a floral show, and the recreation of a religious procession in honor of Saint Guido.

Economy

The Delhaize Group, which operates many supermarket chains, has its head office in Anderlecht.[2]

Sights

Moortebeek city
Porselein street

Famous inhabitants

Sports

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.

Twin towns — sister cities

Anderlecht is twinned with:

Miscellaneous

The patron saint of Anderlecht is Guy of Anderlecht.[4]

References

  1. Population per municipality on 1 January 2013 (XLS; 607.5 KB)
  2. "Contacts." Delhaize Group. Retrieved on 16 May 2012. "Square Marie Curie 40 1070 Brussels - Belgium"
  3. Eug. De Seyn, "Geschied- en aardrijkskundig woordenboek der Belgische gemeenten" (Historic and Geographic Dictionary of Belgian communes), A. Bieleveld, Brussels 1933-1934.
  4. Guy of Anderlecht at saints.sqpn.com. Retrieved 26.March 2013

External links

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