Antwerp in Belgium

Berchem in Greater Antwerp

Berchem is the southern part of the city of Antwerp in the Flemish region of Belgium. Berchem is located along the old Great Stone Road ('Grote Steenweg' in Dutch), connecting Brussels to Antwerp for several centuries. Berchem is surrounded by the town of Mortsel and the districts of Deurne, Borgerhout, Wilrijk and Antwerp City. Berchem itself is divided into three Quarters, Oud Berchem, Groenenhoek and Nieuw Kwartier. Image File history File links BelgiumAntwerp. ... Image File history File links BelgiumAntwerp. ... Image File history File links BerchemLocatie. ... Image File history File links BerchemLocatie. ... For other uses, see Antwerp (disambiguation). ... Flanders (Dutch: Vlaanderen) has several main meanings: the social, political and cultural community of the Flemings, through its social and political organizations, its media, universities, ... ; some prefer to call this the Flemish community, other refers to this as the Flemish nation; a constituent governing institution of the federal Belgian... Map showing the location of Brussels in Belgium Brussels City Hall Emblem of the Brussels-Capital Region Flag of The City of Brussels Brussels (Dutch: Brussel, pronounced ; French: Bruxelles, pronounced in Belgian French and often by non-Belgian speakers of French; German: Brüssel) is the capital of Belgium, the... Mortsel is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. ... See also: Deurne, Belgium. ... Borgerhout is a district in Antwerp, Belgium with 40. ... Wilrijk is a suburb of the city Antwerp, in Belgium. ... The Cathedral of our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal, Antwerp) in the Handschoenmarkt, in the old quarter of Antwerp is the largest cathedral in the Low Countries and home to a number of triptychs by Belgian Baroque painter Rubens. ... Quarters is a popular drinking game which involves players bouncing a quarter off of a table in an attempt to have the quarter land, without another bounce, in a drinking glass (or cup) on that table. ...

Demography

Berchem's total surface is over 1,500 acres, inhabited by more than 40,000 citizens.

Political Structure

Since the decentralization of Antwerp in 2000, Berchem became a semi-independent district with its own legislative body, the so-called County Council ('Districtsraad' in Dutch), and its own executive college. The County Council contains 23 members, directly elected for six years terms by popular vote. The executive college contains five aldermen (districts-schepenen), who are installed by the County Council. This article is about the year 2000. ... Local government areas called districts are used, or have been used, in several countries. ... An alderman is a member of a municipal legislative body in a town or city with many jurisdictions. ... A schepen (pl. ...

The County Council has six members of the liberal VLD, five members of the extremist Vlaams Belang party, four members of the ecologist party, Groen!, three members of the christian democrat conservative CD&V, three members of the social-democrat SP.a and one independent. One seat is not occupied. Look up liberal on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Liberal may refer to: Politics: Liberalism American liberalism, a political trend in the USA Political progressivism, a political ideology that is for change, often associated with liberal movements Liberty, the condition of being free from control or restrictions Liberal Party, members of... Vlaams Belang (English: Flemish Interest) is a Belgian political party. ... Ecology is the branch of science that studies the distribution and abundance of living organisms, and the interactions between organisms and their environment. ... Green! (Groen!) is the Flemish green party in Belgium. ... Christian Democracy is a political ideology, born at the end of the 19th century, largely as a result of the papal encyclical Rerum Novarum of Pope Leo XIII, in which the Vatican recognizes workers misery and agrees that something should be done about it, in reaction to the rise of... Conservatism or political conservatism is any of several historically related political philosophies or political ideologies. ... Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V) (Christian Democratic and Flemish) is a political party in Belgium, formerly called Christelijke Volkspartij (CVP) (Christian Peoples Party). ... Social democracy is a political ideology emerging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries from supporters of Marxism who believed that the transition to a socialist society could be achieved through democratic evolutionary rather than revolutionary means. ... Socialist Party - Different or Social Progressive Alternative (Dutch: Socialistische Partij - Anders or Sociaal Progressief Alternatief (sp. ...

The chair of the council is Pros Slachmuylders, a former member of the VLD, who is currently sitting as an independent politician. The Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten or VLD (Flemish Liberals and Democrats) is a Flemish liberal party, created in 1992 from the former PVV and a few other politicians from other parties. ...

The five aldermen are Pros Slachmuylders (independent), Martine Depestel (Groen!), Luc Thiessen (CD&V), Peter Raats (SP.a) and Joseph Radart (VLD). An alderman is a member of a municipal legislative body in a town or city with many jurisdictions. ...

Points of interest

The Cogels-Osylei and the Transvaalstraat are two magnificent avenues dominated by Art Deco townhouses. These two avenues are classified by UNESCO as World Heritage for reasons of historic importance and aesthetic beauty. The famous architect Horta also used to work in the Berchem district of Zurenborg. Asheville City Hall. ... UNESCO logo UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ... Elabana Falls is in Lamington National Park, part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves World Heritage site in Queensland, Australia. ... Horta is a port town on the island of Faial in the Azores. ... Zurenborg is a district in the Berchem region of Antwerp, Belgium. ...

Every August, Berchem also hosts one of the biggest jazz events in Western Europe in one of Europe's finest and most distinguished parks and open-air museums, Middelheim Park. Jazz is an original American musical art form originating around the start of the 20th century in New Orleans, rooted in Western music technique and theory, and is marked by the profound cultural contributions of African Americans. ... A common understanding of Western Europe in modern times. ... Jazz Middelheim is a biannual summer jazz festival in Antwerp, Belgium. ...

Berchem has a trendy shopping district, one of the biggest railway stations in Belgium (with TGV-connections to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Paris, Lille, London, Ashford, Aachen and Cologne), one of the most renowned children hospitals in Belgium and a fully equipped university campus, including the old colonial villa, where the Belgian Colonial University used to be housed. This article is about the French high-speed railway system. ... Amsterdam Location Flag Country Netherlands Province North Holland Population 742,951(1 January 2005) Coordinates Website www. ... Rotterdam Location Flag Country The Netherlands Province South Holland Population 604,819 (2005) Coordinates 51° 55 N.; 4° 30 E. Website www. ... Arms of The Hague Flag of The city of The Hague. ... The Eiffel Tower, the international symbol of the city For other uses, see Paris (disambiguation). ... t* Autoroute A22 : Lille - Antwerp - Netherlands A sixth oher ejt weoitjh w newr0tipew roj40=9 dfiojg b o4it orpitre royieoy i53 -y035 3[49430ne — the proposed A24 — will link Amiens to Lille if built, but there is opposition to its route. ... For other uses, see London (disambiguation). ... Ashford is a town spanning the confluence of the River Upper Great Stour, River East Stour, Aylesford Stream, Whitewater Dyke, Ruckinge Dyke and the resulting River Great Stour, in the borough of Ashford, located just south of the North Downs, in Kent, United Kingdom. ... Aachen (French Aix-la-Chapelle, Dutch Aken, Latin Aquisgranum, Ripuarian Oche) is a spa city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on the border with Belgium and the Netherlands, 65 km to the west of Cologne, and the westernmost city in Germany. ... population_ref = source style=vertical-align: top; Cologne (German: ; Kölsch: Kölle) is Germanys fourth-largest city after Berlin, Hamburg and Munich and is the largest city both in the German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the largest European...

History

Name

Berchem is located on a landscaped ridge dominating the Antwerp Lowlands ('Antwerpse Vlakte' in Dutch). Semanticly, 'Berchem' signifies a village (heem in ancient Dutch) situated on a hill (berg in Dutch). A ridge is a geological feature that features a continuous elevational crest for some distance. ...

Foundation

In the 8th century A.D., the Dutch bishop Saint Willibrordus climbed the ridge together with several families searching for a place to stay and pray. Because of its wonderful location, this group of pioneers decided to build a new parrish on that hill, overlooking the Escaut River. This religious community lived together as hunters, farmers and fishermen for several centuries. A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority. ... A saint is a term to refer to someone who is a holy person. ... A family of Russian settlers in the Caucasus region, ca. ... Parrish is the name of three places in the United States: Parrish in Alabama Parrish in Wisconsin Parrish in Florida Parrish is also the last name of Maxfield Frederick Parrish, a United States painter (1870-1966), and of Canadian MP Carolyn Parrish. ... The Scheldt in Antwerp Length 350 km Elevation of the source 95 m Average discharge 120 m³/s Area watershed 21860 km² Origin France Mouth Westerschelde Basin countries France, Belgium, Netherlands The Scheldt (Dutch: Schelde, French lEscaut) is a 350 km[1] (217 mile) long river that finds its...

Middle ages

In the 13th century, this community was absorbed by the feudal system of the Duke of Brabant and given to one of his vassals, Wouter Berthout van Ranst. This nobleman is considered the inventor of the name 'Berchem' and the first ever to be named of Berchem. Thanks to the iron reign, the inhuman treatments and the taste of war of his successors, they succeeded in the expansion of the Berchem lands. By the end of the 15th century, Berchem was inhabited by more than 3,000 people. Feudalism comes from the Late Latin word feudum, itself borrowed from a Germanic root *fehu, a commonly used term in the Middle Ages which means fief, or land held under certain obligations by feodati. ... Duke is a title of nobility which refers to the sovereign male ruler of a Continental European duchy, to a nobleman of the highest grade of the British peerage, or to the highest rank of nobility in various other European countries, including Portugal, Spain and France (in Italy, principe is... Historically, Brabant has been the name of several administrative entities in the Low Countries with quite different geographical extent: as Carolingian shire (pagus Bracbatensis), located between the rivers Scheldt and Dijle (between 9th-11th century); as landgraviat: the part of the shire between the rivers Dender and Dijle (from 1085... Wouter Berthout van Ranst was a nobleman, living in feudal times, and a vassal of the Duke of Brabant. ...

Antwerp's Golden Age

The 16th century is considered the golden age of Antwerp thanks to the downfall of Bruges, the building of a new port, the florishing trade and the political stability. Berchem continued to grow and expand in this era. By the fall of Antwerp in 1585, Berchem had become one of the most prosperous outskirts of Antwerp, dominated by artisans and tradesmen. Sometimes referred to as the Venice of the North, Bruges has many waterways that run through the city. ... 1585 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. ... An artisan is a skilled manual worker. ... It has been suggested that Journeyman be merged into this article or section. ...

Religion Wars

The period under Spanish occupation was characterized by religious warfare, legal pillage and anti-catholicism. The Beeldenstorm ('Storm of Monuments' in Dutch) is the most well-known example of this period. The consequences were devastating for Antwerp and its surroundings. Berchem's main church was also destroyed in these riots. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Roman Catholic Church. ...

During the Reformation, Berchem became the birth place of Calvinism in Belgium. The Spanish ruler sent in an army to destroy this fortress of protestants. Berchem was completely in ashes by this military campaign and all reformists fled to the Netherlands. After the repression of Calvinism, Berchem was transformed into a freehaven for rich and wealthy Catholics. The church was rebuild. This mass immigration of hard core Papists meant the restoration of peace in Berchem. The Protestant Reformation was a movement which began in the 16th century as a series of attempts to reform the Roman Catholic Church, but ended in division and the establishment of new institutions, most importantly Lutheranism, Reformed churches, and Anabaptists. ... Calvinism is a system of Christian theology and an approach to Christian life and thought, articulated by John Calvin, a Protestant Reformer in the 16th century, and subsequently by successors, associates, followers and admirers of Calvin and his interpretation of Scripture. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Papist is a slur referring to Roman Catholics. It was coined during the English Reformation to indicate one who believed in Papal supremacy over all Christians. ...

Brabant Revolution, Napoleonic Wars and Congress of Vienna

After the Spanish rule over Belgium, the Habsburgs took over the Southern Netherlands which became a crown colony of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, the predecessor of the Austrian-Hungarian Imperial Court. During the reign of emperor Joseph II, the people of Brabant started a revolution against the foreign occupation. Berchem raised several revolutionary battalions and bought four cannons to support this guerilla action. Habsburg (sometimes spelled Hapsburg, but never so in official use) was one of the major ruling houses of Europe. ... The Southern Netherlands were a part of the Low Countries controlled by Spain (Spanish Netherlands, 1579-1713), Austria (Austrian Netherlands, 1713-1794) and France (1794-1815). ... The Holy Roman Empire should not be mistaken for the Roman Empire (31 B.C.–A.D. 476). ... Motto: none Anthem: Land der Berge, Land am Strome (Land of Mountains, Land on the River) Capital Vienna Largest city Vienna Official language(s) German (official) Slovenian (reg. ... An emperor is a (male) monarch, usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. ... Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II Joseph II (March 13, 1741 – February 20, 1790) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790. ...

After a brief period of independence, the Southern Netherlands were annexated by France and incorporated in their new state under Napoleon. Berchem also fell victim of the Napoleonic draft. Berchem's sons and daughters fought and died in almost every main battle of that era, while their relatives at home were suffering under the tyranny. Napoleon was defeated in 1815 near Waterloo. For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). ... The Battle of New Orleans 1815 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Waterloo The top of the knoll and the famous lion. ...

After the Vienna Treaty, Berchem was handed over to the Netherlands, a country where protestantism was the religion of the state. Berchem's population again was terrorized by religious inspired hatred and economical boycott by the Dutch ruling class. By 1830, the total number of inhabitants had already increased to 5,000. The Congress of Vienna by Jean-Baptiste Isabey, 1819. ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

Belgian Revolution

In 1830, after a short period of war, the Southern Netherlands seceded from the Dutch kingdom and became the independent kingdom of Belgium. In the 19th century, Berchem florished again and even became a local center for education with its several primary and secondary schools. By 1900, Berchem was inhabited by over 20,000 people. Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1900 (MCM) was an exceptional common year starting on Monday. ...

In 1864, the building process of fortresses (Fortengordel or 'Fortress Belt') around Antwerp was finished. This 'security belt' divided Berchem in two parts, 'intra muros' (inside the belt) and 'extra muros' (outside the belt). 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ...

The most important Berchem mayor ever was Franciscus van Hombeeck (1885-1907) who lead his town into the new century as a vivid and wealthy community. Franciscus van Hombeeck (1885-1907) is a historical Belgian Politician. ... 1885 (MDCCCLXXXV) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

World War One

In the First World War, Berchem was bombed to the ground in 1914 by the German aggressor. When the Germans marched into Berchem, they could only find ruins and less than five hundred people. Most of the inhabitants died or fled to the neighbouring countries during the bombings. Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday. ...

Berchem suffered for four years under German occupation. 160 Berchem soldiers died on the battlefields of the Yser in the battle against the Kaiser. Numerous people were deported to labor camps in Germany where they were also tortured. The total Berchem's death toll in this war is - until this very moment - unknown. Categories: France geography stubs | Belgium geography stubs | Belgian rivers | French rivers ... Kaiser is the German title meaning Emperor, derived from the Roman title of Caesar, as is the Slavic title of Tsar. ...

World War Two and Greater Antwerp

Berchem was bombed in 1940 by the Germans and again in 1944 by the allied forces. The Berchem population had to undergo inhuman treatment and hundreds of people were deported to concentration camps in the East. The resistance had a well-organized active wing in Berchem, but under occupation, all leaders and partisans were publicly executed by the SS. This slaughter is referred to as the Vuurkruisen ('Crosses of Fire'). 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... A concentration camp is a large detention centre created for political opponents, aliens, specific ethnic or religious groups, civilians of a critical war-zone, or other groups of people, often during a war. ... SS or ss or Ss may be: The Schutzstaffel, a Nazi paramilitary force Steamship (SS) (ship prefix) The United States Secret Service A submarine not powered by nuclear energy (SS) (United States Navy designator), see SSN A Soviet/Russian surface-to-surface missile, as listed by NATO reporting name Shortstop...

During the Second World War, the Germans made all villages around Antwerp fusion to a new Greater Antwerp. In 1945, after the liberation of Antwerp, Berchem regained its autonomy. Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ...

In 1969, the fortress belt was removed and replaced by two major Ringways, the Ring (transit traffic) and the Singel (inbound traffic). 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ... The name Ringway can have these meanings:- Ringway Airport is old name for Manchester International Airport. ...

In 1983, several villages - including Berchem - were absorbed by Greater Antwerp. Since 1993, these Antwerp districts are getting more and more legislative and executive power. 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ...

External links

• Berchem District Official Webpage
• Greater Antwerp Official Webpage