Anderlecht

Anderlecht is one of the 19 municipalities in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium. It is located in the south-western part of the region and is surrounded by several other areas, including the City of Brussels, Forest, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, and Saint-Gilles, as well as two Flemish municipalities, Dilbeek and Sint-Pieters-Leeuw. Like all parts of Brussels, Anderlecht uses both French and Dutch languages.

The municipality has many different districts, each with its own history and special buildings. As of January 1, 2024, Anderlecht was home to 126,581 people. It covers an area of 17.91 km² (6.92 sq mi), making it quite crowded with a population density of 7,066 people per km² (18,300 per sq mi). The upper part of Anderlecht has more green spaces and fewer people compared to other areas.

For more information about the nearby football club, see RSC Anderlecht.

History

The history of Anderlecht goes back a very long time. People lived there during the Stone Age and Bronze Age. Later, Romans and Franks also lived in the area. The name Anderlecht was first written down in the year 1047.

In 1356, a battle happened in Anderlecht between the Count of Flanders and the Duchess of Brabant. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Anderlecht saw many wars between the Low Countries and France. In 1695, a big bombardment damaged Brussels greatly.

The 19th century brought big changes as Brussels grew. New roads were built, and many people moved to Anderlecht. New neighborhoods and garden cities were created to give people places to live. After World War II, more changes happened to make room for more people.

Geography

Anderlecht is located in the north-central part of Belgium, about 110 kilometres from the Belgian coast and about 180 km from Belgium's southern tip. It lies in the heartland of the Brabantian Plateau, about 45 km south of Antwerp and 50 km north of Charleroi. It is the westernmost municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region and is an important crossing point for the Brussels–Charleroi Canal. With an area of 17.91 km², 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.

Anderlecht, like the rest of Brussels, has an oceanic climate with warm summers and cool winters. Being close to coastal areas affects the climate, bringing in air from the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby wetlands help keep the climate mild. On average, there are about 130 rainy days each year, and sometimes strong thunderstorms occur in the summer.

Districts

Anderlecht has many different parts, each with its own character. The area near the canal is being renewed as part of a big plan called Plan Canal for the Brussels-Capital Region.

The heart of Anderlecht is its old center, once called Rinck. This area includes important places like Place de la Vaillance/Dapperheidsplein, the Church of St. Guido, and main schools. The main shopping street is Rue Wayez/Wayezstraat.

Cureghem/Kuregem

Main article: Cureghem

Cureghem/Kuregem is a big and busy part of Anderlecht. It grew during the Industrial Revolution along the Brussels–Charleroi Canal. Many old buildings from its industrial past remain, like the former Atlas Brewery and old power station. The Municipal Hall of Anderlecht is here, along with a park and square near the edge of the city.

Meir

The Meir district is south of Anderlecht’s old center. It has a big roundabout and Astrid Park, where the football team RSC Anderlecht plays at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium. This area was built between the two world wars and has many houses and green spaces.

Veeweyde/Veeweide

Veeweyde/Veeweide is in the upper part of Anderlecht. It includes a park called Busselenberg and a newer area along the canal that is now a nice walk for people and bikes.

La Roue/Het Rad

Main article: La Roue, Brussels

La Roue/Het Rad is a large part of Anderlecht known for its small, pretty houses. It was mostly built in the 1920s and feels like a neighborhood from that time. There are also big stores and a center for food and chemical studies nearby.

Scheut

Main article: Scheut

Scheut is in the north of Anderlecht. It has been a place for homes and businesses. Long ago, a school was started here by a priest, and later, people from this area traveled to faraway places to share their beliefs.

Main sights

Anderlecht has many interesting places to see. Some of the main sights include:

• The Municipal Hall of Anderlecht, built in a special style called neo-Flemish Renaissance and opened in 1879.
• The Collegiate Church of St. Peter and St. Guido, which has a very old crypt from the 10th century and a tower completed in 1898.
• The Erasmus House, built between 1460 and 1515, with beautiful gardens. Nearby is the old beguinage, which now houses a local history museum.
• The Synagogue of Anderlecht, an Orthodox synagogue finished in 1933.
• The National Memorial to the Jewish Martyrs of Belgium, remembering those who suffered during World War II.
• The National Museum of the Resistance, showing the story of Belgium during the war.
• The Museum of China – Scheut, with items brought back by missionaries.
• The Maurice Carême Museum, where the famous Belgian poet lived and wrote.
• The Luizenmolen in Neerpede, a copy of an old windmill.
• The Cureghem Cellars, underground spaces used for growing mushrooms and now hosting events.
• The Cantillon Brewery, a museum inside a real brewery.
• The Museum of Medicine, located on the Erasme campus of the Université libre de Bruxelles.
• The Jean-Claude Van Damme statue, placed near a shopping center.

Demographics

Anderlecht did not have many people living there a long time ago. In the early 1800s, only about 2,000 people lived there. But after the Industrial Revolution, lots more people moved in. By 1970, there were over 100,000 people! After that, the number went down a bit but is now growing again. As of January 1, 2024, about 126,581 people live in Anderlecht.

Many people from other countries also live in Anderlecht. There are communities of foreigners with more than 1,000 people each.

Politics

The city council was elected in the October 2018 elections. The mayor of Anderlecht is Fabrice Cumps, a member of PS, and works with other parties including sp.a, cdH, Ecolo - Groen, DéFI, and Forward on the municipal council.

Events

Every year, Anderlecht holds a fair that started as a cattle fair. It was allowed by William II of the Netherlands in 1825. Today, the fair includes animal shows, a big market, a flower show, and a special walk in honor of Saint Guy.

Economy

Anderlecht is home to the Abattoirs of Anderlecht, Brussels' main slaughterhouse, which employs around 1,500 people. Its Great Hall also functions as a covered market for food and flea markets.

Recently, many big international companies have chosen Anderlecht for their headquarters. These include the Delhaize Group, which runs many supermarkets, Coca-Cola Benelux, and the Belgian chocolate company Leonidas.

Healthcare

Anderlecht has several places where people can get medical help, including:

• Erasmus Hospital
• Jules Bordet Institute
• Joseph Bracops Hospital
• St. Anne St. Remigius Clinic

Sports

Anderlecht is home to RSC Anderlecht, the most successful football team in Belgium. They have won many titles in both European competitions and the Belgian First Division. The team plays at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Astrid Park. Their colours are white and purple.

Parks and green spaces

Further information: List of parks and gardens in Brussels

Anderlecht has many lovely green spaces where people can relax and enjoy nature. Some of these parks include Astrid Park, Parc Forestier/Bospark in Scheut, Scherdemael Park, Peterbos Park, Joseph Lemaire Park, Jean Vives Park, Parc des Étangs/Vijverspark in Neerpede, Parc de la Rosée/Dauwpark in Cureghem, and The Vogelzang or Vogelenzang, which is a protected natural area.

Notable inhabitants

Anderlecht has been home to many famous people throughout history.

Saint Guy, known as the Poor Man of Anderlecht, is the city's patron saint. Adrian VI served as pope and worked at the University of Leuven. Jacques Brel, a well-known singer and actor, lived in Anderlecht as a child. Maurice Carême was a beloved poet, and Toots Thielemans was a famous jazz musician. Princess Elisabeth, the Duchess of Brabant and heiress to the Belgian throne, was born in Anderlecht, along with her siblings Princes Gabriel, Emmanuel, and Princess Eléonore.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Belgium

Twin towns and sister cities

Anderlecht has friendly connections with these cities around the world:

• Boulogne-Billancourt, France
• Berlin-Neukölln, Germany
• London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, United Kingdom
• Zaandam, Netherlands
• Marino, Italy

Anderlecht also has a friendship agreement with:

• Sainte-Maxime, France