Berchem-Sainte-Agathe

Berchem-Sainte-Agathe (French, Template:IPA) or Sint-Agatha-Berchem (Dutch, Template:IPA), often simply called Berchem, is one of the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. Located in the north-western part of the region, it is bordered by Ganshoren, Koekelberg, and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, as well as the Flemish municipalities of Asse and Dilbeek. In common with all of Brussels' municipalities, it is legally bilingual (French–Dutch).

Template:As of, the municipality had a population of 25,787 inhabitants.<ref name="IBSA">Template:Cite web</ref> The total area is Template:Convert, which gives a population density of Template:Convert.<ref name="IBSA" /> The municipality is known for its calm and peaceful character. It is said that Berchem is a "village in the city".

History

In the Middle Ages, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe was a modest village on the edge of Brussels. In 1795, it received the status of an autonomous municipality. In 1841, it separated from neighbouring Koekelberg, and in 1954, it became a part of the Brussels-Capital Region.

Main sights

Berchem-Sainte-Agathe has a rich cultural and architectural heritage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Some of the main points of interest include:

• The former Church of St. Agatha, an old 12th-century Romanesque church. Completely renovated from 1972 to 1974, it is now deconsecrated and used for cultural ceremonies and celebrations.
• The Villa Marie-Mirande, an early 20th-century (1912) Art Nouveau town house designed by the architect Victor Tinant.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• The main pavilion of the former French Hospital, designed in neoclassical style by the architect Gustave Maukels and completed in 1928–29.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• The Cité Moderne, a housing project designed and built from 1922 to 1924 by the modernist architect Victor Bourgeois.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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  Former Church of St. Agatha
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  Villa Marie-Mirande
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  French Hospital
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  Cité Moderne

Notable inhabitants

• David Lachterman (1934–1992), radio and television comedian and commentary expert
• Alexis Saelemaekers (born 1999), football player who has played as a winger for R.S.C. Anderlecht and A.C. Milan
• Françoise Schepmans (born 1960), politician and mayor of Molenbeek, was born there.
• Jean-Claude Van Damme (born 1960), actor and martial artist, was born there.
• Rudi Vervoort (born 1958), politician and Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region, was born there.

External links

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