Auderghem

Auderghem (former Dutch spelling, now used in French; pronounced [odəʁˈɡem]) or Oudergem (Dutch: [ˈʌudərɣɛm] (listen)) is one of the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region (Belgium).

Auderghem

Auderghem  (French)
Oudergem  (Dutch)
Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms
Auderghem
Location in Belgium
Auderghem municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region
Coordinates: 50°49′N 04°26′E
CountryBelgium
CommunityFlemish Community
French Community
RegionBrussels
ArrondissementBrussels
Government
 • MayorDidier Gosuin (FDF)
Area
 • Total9.03 km2 (3.49 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
 • Total33,740
 • Density3,700/km2 (9,700/sq mi)
Postal codes
1160
Area codes02
Websitewww.auderghem.be

Located to the southeast of the region, along the Woluwe valley and at the entrance to the Sonian Forest (French: Forêt de Soignes, Dutch: Zoniënwoud), the municipality has an environmental advantage. Despite large roads slicing through and the increasing traffic, it has been able to preserve a relatively important part of its natural and historic legacy: the creeks, the Red Cloister Abbey and its art centre, the Priory of Val-Duchesse, the Château of Three Fountains (French: Trois Fontaines, Dutch: Drie Fonteinen), the Château of Saint Anne, and the remarkable Chapel of Saint Anne.

Auderghem is adjacent to the municipalities of Etterbeek, Ixelles, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, and Watermael-Boitsfort. In common with all of Brussels’ municipalities, it is legally bilingual (French–Dutch).

The municipality is governed by its 16th mayor, Didier Gosuin (FDF).

History

Three forest villages (Auderghem, Watermael, and Boitsfort-Bosvoorde), were one for centuries. In 1794, the soldiers of the French Revolution decided to separate these into three distinct municipalities. In 1811, Napoleon decided to reunite the three villages, by imperial decree, into a single administrative entity. But Auderghem was withdrawn from this union by royal act, leaving Watermael-Boitsfort on its own. Thus, Auderghem became an independent municipality in 1863, with only 1,600 inhabitants.

With the construction of the rail line linking Brussels and Tervuren as well as, in 1910, the construction of Boulevard du Souverain/Vorstlaan, modernisation came to the municipality and the population grew quickly.

In 1956, Paul Henri Spaak lead the Intergovernmental Conference on the Common Market and Euratom at the Château of Val-Duchesse in Auderghem, which prepared the Treaties of Rome in 1957 and the foundation of the European Economic Community and Euratom in 1958.

Demographics

As of 2004 the majority of Brussels' Japanese expatriate population lives in Auderghem. [2]

Sights

The Priory of Val-Duchesse, a gift of the Belgian King, is rarely open to the public. In 1963, Belgium's cabinet ministers met there, planting the seeds of a federalisation of the country though at conditions fiercely criticised especially in some extremist Flemish nationalist circles.

Similarly, the Chapel of Saint Anne, whose origins go back to the 12th century, is not open to the public. Decommissioned in 1843, it was sold several times. Its splendid sculptures from the Middle Ages and notable period furniture are still there to admire.

The municipality offers many green spaces.

Notable inhabitants

Education

Public secondary schools from the French Community of Belgium:[3]

Subsidised religious secondary schools:[3]

  • Centre scolaire St-Adrien Val Duchesse
  • Institut St-Julien Parnasse
  • Ecole Sainte-Bernadette
  • Institut Dominique Pire

Subsidised non-religious secondary schools:[3]

  • De l'autre côté de l'école

Private international schools:[3]

See also

References
  1. "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. State, Paul F. Historical Dictionary of Brussels. Scarecrow Press, July 27, 2004. ISBN 0810865556, 9780810865556. p. 21.
  3. "Ecoles secondaires." Auderghem. Retrieved on September 12, 2016.
  4. "ブラッセル日本人学校 TOP:" The Japanese School of Brussels. Retrieved on 2 January 2014. "Avenue des Meuniers 133, 1160 Auderghem, Brussels, Belgium"
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