Gembloux

Gembloux (French pronunciation: ​[ʒɑ̃.blu]; in Walloon: Djiblou; in Dutch: Gembloers) is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Namur, on the axis Brussels–Namur.

Gembloux

Gembloers  (Dutch)
Municipality
Town hall with belfry in the background
Flag
Coat of arms
Gembloux
Location in Belgium
Location of Gembloux in the province of Namur
Coordinates: 50°34′N 04°41′E
CountryBelgium
CommunityFrench Community
RegionWallonia
ProvinceNamur
ArrondissementNamur
Government
 • MayorBenoît Dispa (Bailli)
 • Governing party/iesBailli, Ecolo
Area
 • Total95.86 km2 (37.01 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
 • Total25,933
 • Density270/km2 (700/sq mi)
Postal codes
5030-5032
Area codes081
Websitewww.gembloux.be

On 1 January 2006 the municipality had 21,964 inhabitants. The total area is 95.86 km², yielding a population density of 229 inhabitants per km². The mayor, who was elected on 8 October 2006, is Benoît Dispa.

This city is well known for its Agricultural University and for its cutlery. The university is housed in the historical Abbey of Gembloux, which dates from the tenth century.

Gembloux's belfry belongs to the set of belfries of Belgium and France inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2005.

History

The town grew around the Gembloux Abbey, founded in the tenth century. In the vicinity of the town, in 1578, the Battle of Gembloux was fought during the Eighty Years' War. In May 1940 the Battle of Hannut and the Battle of the Gembloux Gap took place nearby, tank battles during the larger Battle of France.

Sections

Gembloux is composed by the sections of Gembloux, Beuzet, Bossière, Bothey, Corroy-le-Château, Ernage, Grand-Leez, Grand-Manil, Isnes, Lonzée, Mazy & Sauvenière.

Notable inhabitants

Twin towns

Gembloux is twinned with

  • Gembloux town hall square and belfry
  • University Faculty of agronomic sciences
  • Tour du Guet fortification
  • Castle of Corroy-le-Château

See also

References
  1. "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
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