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Berchem-Sainte-Agathe

Berchem-Sainte-Agathe  (French)
Sint-Agatha-Berchem  (Dutch)
Berchem-Sainte-Agathe's Municipal Hall
Berchem-Sainte-Agathe's Municipal Hall
Flag of Berchem-Sainte-Agathe
Flag
Coat of arms of Berchem-Sainte-Agathe
Coat of arms
Berchem-Sainte-Agathe is located in Belgium
Berchem-Sainte-Agathe
Berchem-Sainte-Agathe
Location in Belgium
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
French Community
Region Brussels
Arrondissement Brussels-Capital
Area
 • Total 2.95 km2 (1.14 sq mi)
Population
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 • Total Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1,575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Postal codes
1082
Area codes 02
Website berchem.brussels/fr
berchem.brussels/nl

Berchem-Sainte-Agathe (in French) or Sint-Agatha-Berchem (in Dutch) is a cool place in Belgium. People often just call it Berchem. It's one of the 19 different towns that make up the Brussels-Capital Region.

This town is located in the north-west part of the Brussels area. It shares borders with other towns like Ganshoren, Koekelberg, and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. It also touches parts of the Flemish region, specifically the towns of Asse and Dilbeek. Like all towns in Brussels, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe uses both French and Dutch languages officially.

As of 2022, about 25,298 people lived in Berchem. The town covers an area of 2.95 square kilometers. This means there are about 8,582 people living in each square kilometer. Berchem is known for being a quiet and peaceful place. Many people say it feels like a "village in the city."

History of Berchem-Sainte-Agathe

Let's look back at how Berchem-Sainte-Agathe became the town it is today.

Early Beginnings

Long ago, in the Middle Ages, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe was just a small village. It was located right on the edge of the bigger city of Brussels.

Becoming a Municipality

In 1795, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe got an important new status. It officially became its own independent municipality, which is like a self-governing town.

Changes Over Time

Later, in 1841, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe separated from its nearby neighbor, Koekelberg. Then, in 1954, it became a part of the larger Brussels-Capital Region. This region helps manage the different towns around Brussels.

Cool Places to See

Berchem-Sainte-Agathe has many interesting buildings and places to visit. These spots show off its rich history and unique style.

Former Church of St. Agatha

This old church dates all the way back to the 12th century. It was built in the Romanesque style, which is a very old way of building. From 1972 to 1974, the church was completely fixed up. Now, it's no longer used as a church. Instead, it's a special place for cultural events and celebrations.

Villa Marie-Mirande

The Villa Marie-Mirande is a beautiful house designed in the Art Nouveau style. This style was popular in the early 1900s and features curvy lines and nature-inspired designs. The famous architect Victor Tinant created this unique building.

The Cité Moderne

The Cité Moderne is a special housing project. It was designed and built between 1922 and 1925 by a modernist architect named Victor Bourgeois. This project shows off early modern architecture, which focused on simple shapes and practical designs.

Famous People from Berchem

Many well-known people were born or lived in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe. Here are a few of them:

  • David Lachterman (1934–1992): He was a funny radio and television comedian. He was also an expert at giving commentary.
  • Alexis Saelemaekers (born 1999): Alexis is a professional football player. He has played as a winger for famous teams like R.S.C. Anderlecht and A.C. Milan.
  • Françoise Schepmans (born 1960): Françoise is a politician. She was born in Berchem and later became the mayor of Molenbeek, another town in Brussels.
  • Jean-Claude Van Damme (born 1960): You might know him! Jean-Claude is a famous actor and a master of martial arts. He was born right here in Berchem.
  • Rudi Vervoort (born 1958): Rudi is also a politician. He was born in Berchem and is currently the Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region. This means he leads the government for the entire Brussels region.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Berchem-Sainte-Agathe para niños

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