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{{Infobox Belgium municipality
|name             = Kortenberg
|picture          = Erps-Kwerps 2.JPG
|picture-legend   = Erps-Kwerps
|map              = Kortenberg Flemish-Brabant Belgium Map.svg
|map-legend       = Location of Kortenberg in Flemish Brabant
|arms             = Kortenberg wapen.svg
|flag             = Flag of Kortenberg.svg
|arrondissement   = [[Leuven administrative Arrondissement|Leuven]]
|nis              = 24055
|pyramid-date=
|0-19=
|20-64=
|65=
|foreigners=
|foreigners-date  =
|mayor            = Alexandra Thienpont ([[Christian Democratic and Flemish|CD&V]])
|majority         = [[Christian Democratic and Flemish|CD&V]], [[Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats|Open VLD]]
|postal-codes     = 3070, 3071, 3078
|telephone-area   = 02, 016
|web              = [http://www.kortenberg.be/ www.kortenberg.be]
|coordinates      = {{coord|50|53|N|04|32|E|region:BE|display=inline,title}}
}}
'''Kortenberg''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈkɔrtə(m)bɛr(ə)x}}; {{langx|fr|Cortenbergh}}) is a [[Belgium|Belgian]] [[municipalities of Belgium|municipality]] located in the [[provinces of Belgium|province]] of [[Flemish Brabant]], about halfway between the cities of [[Brussels]] and [[Leuven]]. The municipality comprises the subdivisions or [[deelgemeente]]n of [[Erps-Kwerps]], [[Everberg]], Kortenberg proper and [[Meerbeek]]. On 1 January 2013 Kortenberg had a total population of 19,393.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibz.rrn.fgov.be/fileadmin/user_upload/Registre/fr/statistiques_population/population-bevolking-20130101.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-05-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903021537/http://www.ibz.rrn.fgov.be/fileadmin/user_upload/Registre/fr/statistiques_population/population-bevolking-20130101.pdf |archive-date=2013-09-03 }} Bevolkingscijfers op 1 januari 2013. Belgian National Institute of Statistics.</ref> The total area is 34.52&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> which gives a [[population density]] of about 562 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup>. In the southern part of Everberg there is also a [[hamlet (place)|hamlet]] called Vrebos, while between Erps-Kwerps and Meerbeek there is another hamlet called Schoonaarde, which can be found in the proximity of the train station of Erps-Kwerps.

==History==
On the territory of [[Erps-Kwerps]] an ancient [[Roman villa]] has been excavated. The same archeological site revealed a burial-ground of the [[Franks|Frankish]] civilisation.

In 1095, Gualgericus, [[Bishop of Cambrai]], acknowledged the existence of a religious community on the Curtenbergh (meaning 'short hill'). For this reason, 1095 has been accepted as the founding year of Kortenberg. The conventuals moved in 1222 from the hill (the 'Curtenbergh') to lower grounds at the Minneveld, where the Abbey of Kortenberg still exists on this day.

From these early days, the Lords of Cortenberg lived in this village. They were of great significance in the history of the [[duchy of Brabant]]. 
The formerly independent municipality of Erps had the main [[bailiwick]] in the area since 1286.

The construction of a paved road from 1706 until 1709 was an important event in the growth of the municipality, together with the construction of a railroad in 1866. In the end of the nineteenth century the new bourgeoisie built a whole range of new residences in the style of the [[Belle Époque|Belle Epoque]] with the typical spires.

On 27 August 1914 German troops put a local brewery, some residences and a little castle on fire while invading Kortenberg.

==Abbey of Kortenberg==
{{main article|Kortenberg Abbey}}
[[File:Kortenberg-Abdijdreef22-Benedictijnenvrouwenabdij.JPG|thumb|left|Women Benedictine Abbey]]
There has been a [[Order of Saint Benedict|Benedictine]] abbey in Kortenberg since 1222. In 1312, [[John II, Duke of Brabant]] signed the [[Charter of Kortenberg]] in the abbey, thereby establishing a constitution for the entire [[Duchy of Brabant]] and granting powers to a precursory democratic institution. After the [[Magna Carta]], it is the second document in western history to limit the powers of [[monarch]]s in favour of a number of civil freedoms.

The abbey has a stirring history of arson, plundering and reconstruction. The oldest still remaining parts are the gate building with the gothic spired gate from the early seventeenth century, the Cattle Courtyard (''Veehof'') from 1650, the lease courtyard, the Brewery from 1732, and the abbey castle which was built from 1779 until 1783. The traditional great hall and the baroque chapel are dated from 1934. The abbey, which is owned by the [[diocese]], became a protected monument on 14 February 2005 as part of resolution made by the Flemish government. The Old Abbey Kortenberg is a center of contemplation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oudeabdijkortenberg.be/english.htm |title=Old Abbey of Kortenberg - OAK |publisher=Oudeabdijkortenberg.be |access-date=2012-11-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424191842/http://www.oudeabdijkortenberg.be/english.htm |archive-date=2012-04-24 }}</ref> Today, the grounds have been opened to the public as a park for recreational use.

==Transportation==

The municipality is crossed by the highway A3/E40 (Brussels-Liège). Although the territory contains a parking lot adjacent to this highway, it doesn't have any access or exit roads. It lies between exit 21 ([[Sterrebeek]]) and exit 22 ([[Bertem]]). The main secondary road is the N2, which connects [[Brussels]] with [[Leuven]].

Kortenberg has a train station which lies on the line Brussels-Liège (line 36). Also, the town of Erps-Kwerps has its own train station on that same line.Both are served by the national rail company [[SNCB]].

Train services:
*S2 - Braine-le-Comte to Leuven via Brussels South station. Operates twice an hour except in the early morning, late at night and on Sundays. Also stops in Erps-Kwerps station
*S9 - Nivelles to Landen via Brussels Schuman station. Operates once an hour on weekdays only.

A network of public transport via buses is maintained by the Flemish bus service company [[De Lijn]].

Bus services: 
*R90 (Brussels (North) - Kortenberg - Leuven);
*91 (Brussels Airport - Kortenberg - Everberg - Leuven);
*R92 (Kraainem metro - Kortenberg - Erps-Kwerps - Leuven);          
*225 (Kortenberg - Vilvoorde);
*318 (Leuven - Vrebos - Brussels);
*271 (Brussels - Erps-Kwerps - Kampenhout);
*516 (School bus to Haacht);
*521 (School bus to Heverlee via Everberg and Meerbeek);
*522 (School bus to Heverlee via Erps-Kwerps);
*523 (School bus to Heverlee via Winksele);
*528 (School bus from Veltem to Tervuren via Kortenberg)
*530 (School bus to Zaventem)
*576 (School bus to Leuven)
*N3 (Nightbus Lubbeek-Leuven-Kortenberg)
*N4 (Nightbus Aarschot-Leuven-Kortenberg)

==Education==
[[File:Mater Dei Erps-Kwerps.jpg|thumb|200px|Mater Dei Free Elementary School in Erps-Kwerps, built end 19th century]]
The municipality organizes primary education in all of the four towns:
*''De Klimop'' in Erps-Kwerps
*''De Negensprong'' in Everberg
*''De Regenboog'' in Kortenberg
*''De Boemerang'' in Meerbeek

The oldest existing school in Kortenberg is the primary school ''Mater Dei'' in the town of Erps-Kwerps. The [[Flemish Community]] also organizes educational facilities in the community primary school ''Hertog-Jan''. Secondary schools are mostly attended in other municipalities such as [[Tervuren]], [[Zaventem]], [[Wezembeek-Oppem]], [[Leuven]], [[Haacht]], and in the [[Brussels-Capital Region]].

==Notable citizens ==
Citizens who were born or died in Kortenberg, lived a considerable time in Kortenberg, or still live there.
*[[Marie Abts-Ermens]], sewed the first [[Flag of Belgium|Belgian flag]]
*[[Félicien Marceau]] (born Louis Carette), French novelist
*family [[de Mérode]], prominent Belgian noble family
*{{interlanguage link|Comte Guillaume de Mérode, 5me Prince de Rubempré et d'Everberghe|qid=Q2960653}} (1762-1830) 
*Charles-Antoine-Ghislain (Karel) Count de Mérode-Westerloo, Minister of State 
* Baron [[Albert de Vleeschauwer|Albert Jozef de Vleeschauwer van Braekel]], politician
*[[Robert J. Houben]], Minister of State
*[[Jean Meeus]], astronomer
*General [[Bernard Montgomery]] (in 1941 en 1944), British Army officer
*[[Edward Schillebeeckx]], theologian
*[[Karel Van Miert]], Minister of State and [[European Commissioner]]

== Gallery ==
{{Gallery
|align=center|File:Everberg-Annonciadenstraat33-Windmolen.JPG|Windmill from the 19th century (Everberg)
|File:Everberg-Blokstraat1-Boerenhuis1628.JPG|Farmhouse dated from 1628 (Everberg)
|File:Everberg-Dalemstraat9-Langshuis.jpg|Long House with [[Dutch gable|gable roof]] and two floors of the 18th century (Everberg)
|File:Everberg-Twee-Leeuwenstraat15-Domein-Openbare-Onderstand.JPG|Gatehouse flanked by outbuildings and farmhouse from the 19th century (Everberg)
|File:In Voscapel Kortenberg (1719).jpg|''In Voscapel'', built in 1719 with typical roof and tower construction (Kortenberg)
|File:Kortenberg-Abdijdreef22-Benedictijnenvrouwenabdij-bijgebouw.JPG|Benedictine Abbey annexe (Kortenberg)
|File:Kortenberg-Minneveldstraat36-Benedictijnenvrouwenabdij.JPG|Gothic pointed arch door with bevel profile in the sandstone ground floor (Kortenberg)
|File:Kortenberg-Kiewitstraat4-Hoeve.JPG|17th-18th century farm (Kortenberg)
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{in lang|nl}} {{Official website|http://www.kortenberg.be}}
*{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.tone.be Website with some more pictures and history]
*[http://www.scholares.net/index.php?Gazetteer-Kortenberg Gazetteer Entry]
*[http://www.erfgoedhuis-kortenberg.be Heritage House Kortenberg (Erfgoedhuis VZW): Historical and Cultural Society]

{{Geographic location
|Centre = Kortenberg
|N  = [[Kampenhout]]
|E  = [[Herent]]
|S  = [[Bertem]]
|SW = [[Tervuren]]
|W  = [[Zaventem]]
|NW = [[Steenokkerzeel]]
}}
{{Municipalities in Flemish Brabant}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kortenberg| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Flemish Brabant]]