Auderghem

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Oudergem or Auderghem within the Brussels-Capital Region

Auderghem (French spelling) or Oudergem (Dutch spelling) is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium.

On 1 January 2006, the municipality had a total population of 29,552. The total area is 9.03 km² which gives a population density of 3,271 inhabitants per km². Its postal code is 1160.

Located to the southeast of the capital, along the Woluwe valley and at the entrance to the Sonian Forest (Forêt de Soignes), Auderghem is an environmentally advantaged municipality. Despite large through-roads that slice through it and increasing road traffic, it has been able to preserve a relatively important part of its natural and historic legacy: the creeks, the Abbey of Rouge-Cloître and its art center, the Castle of Solitude, the Priory of Val Duchesse, the Château of Trois Fontaines, and the remarkable Chapel of Saint Anne.

Auderghem is adjacent to the municipalities of Etterbeek, Ixelles - Elsene, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, and Watermael-Boitsfort - Watermaal-Bosvoorde.

The municipality is governed by its 16th magistrate, Didier Gosuin.

History

Three forest villages (Auderghem, Watermael, and Bosvoorde), were one for centuries. In 1794, the soldiers of the French Revolution decided to separate Auderghem, Watermael, and Boitsfort into three separate municipalities. In 1811, Napoleon decided to reunite the three villages, by imperial decree, into a single administrative entity. But Auderghem was withdrawn from this union by royal act, leaving Watermael-Boitsfort or Watermaal-Bosvoorde on its own. Thus, Auderghem or Oudergem became an independent municipality in 1863, with only 1,600 inhabitants.

With the construction of the rail line linking Brussels and Tervuren as well as, in 1910, the construction of the Boulevard du Souverain or Vorstlaan, modernization came to the municipality and the population grew quickly.

Sights

The Priory of Val Duchesse or Hertoginnedal, a gift of the king, is unfortunately rarely open to the public. At one time Belgium's cabinet ministers met here.

In contrast, the Chapel of Saint Anne, whose origins go back to the 12th century, is open to the public. Decommissioned in 1843, it was sold several times. Its splendid sculptures from the Middle Ages and notable period furniture are still there to admire.

The municipality offers many green spaces.

See also

• Municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region

External links

• Official site of the Municipality of Auderghem (in French)
• Official site of the Municipality of Oudergem (in Dutch)

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