Molenbeek-Saint-Jean

Etymology The name Molenbeek derives from two Dutch words: , meaning "mill", and , meaning "brook"; and could be literally translated as "Millbrook" in English. It is a very common name for brooks in the Netherlands and Belgium, such as the Molenbeek (Erpe-Mere Bovenschelde), as well as the Molenbeek-Ter Erpenbeek, both in the Denderstreek, Belgium. Although first applied to the brook that flowed through the village, the name Molenbeek (originally spelled Molembecca) eventually came to be used to designate the village itself, around the year 985. The suffix in French or in Dutch, meaning "Saint John", refers to the parish's patron saint, Saint John the Baptist, though it is seldom used in everyday speech, today's inhabitants—whether French or Dutch speaking—usually shortening the name to simply Molenbeek. Pronunciation In French, is pronounced , and in Dutch, is pronounced (in both languages, the "-beek" is pronounced like "bake" in English). Inhabitants of Molenbeek are known in French as (pronounced ) and in Dutch as (pronounced ). In France, the pronunciations ("-beek" like "beck" in English) and (for ) are often heard, but are rather rare in Belgium. The dialectal forms Muilebeik and Meulebeik are still used by older adults of Belgian ancestry, whilst the abbreviations Molen and Molem are common among younger speakers. ==History==

Rural beginnings As early as the 9th century, Molenbeek was the site of a church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. The parish boundaries of St. John's Church were much greater than today, reaching as far as the river Senne, and from the end of the 12th century, included a chapel dedicated to Saint Catherine. This chapel was split off from the rest of the parish following the construction of Brussels' second city walls and gradually became the current Church of St. Catherine in the Quays or Sainte-Catherine/Sint-Katelijne Quarter of Brussels. The first documented mention of Molenbeek was made on 9 April 1174 in a papal bull by Pope Alexander III listing the property of the chapter of the Collegiate Church of St. Michael and St. Gudula (now Brussels' cathedral), which included St. John's Church, as well as other property. The Brussels Beguinage, founded before 1247 outside the city walls, also depended on Molenbeek. , 1592 In the early Middle Ages, Molenbeek was known for its miraculous spring of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, the mythical founder of Nivelles Abbey, which attracted thousands of pilgrims. According to legend, she visited Molenbeek and offered the land on which the village's first church was built, and allegedly caused this sacred spring to spur out by ramming her abbess's crosier into the ground near the church. At the end of the 19th century, part of the industry, namely the port area, was lost by Molenbeek when Brussels annexed and reintegrated the canal area within its new port. 20th century Until the early 20th century, Molenbeek was a booming suburb which attracted a large working-class population. Remarkable new urban developments and garden cities such as the Cité Diongre were built at the beginning of the century to house the influx of newcomers. The Church of St. John the Baptist was also rebuilt between 1930 and 1932 in Art Deco style to accommodate this growing populace. 21st century In some areas of Molenbeek, the ensuing poverty left its mark on the urban landscape and scarred the social life of the community, leading to rising crime rates and pervading cultural intolerance. Various local revitalisation programmes are currently under way, aiming at relieving the municipality's most impoverished districts. As a result, serious questions were raised about governance, security and the administration of Moureaux. Following a general decrease in crime, the company finally decided to remain in Molenbeek. Islamic terrorism According to Le Monde, the assassins who killed anti-Taliban commander Ahmed Shah Massoud both came from Molenbeek. Hassan el-Haski, one of the 2004 Madrid terror bombers, came from Molenbeek. The perpetrator of the Jewish Museum of Belgium shooting, Mehdi Nemmouche, lived in Molenbeek for a time. Ayoub El Khazzani, the perpetrator of the 2015 Thalys train attack, stayed with his sister in Molenbeek. French police believe the weapons used in the Porte de Vincennes siege two days after the Charlie Hebdo shooting were sourced from Molenbeek. The bombers of the November 2015 Paris attacks were also traced to Molenbeek; during the Molenbeek capture of Salah Abdeslam, an accomplice of the Paris bombers, protesters "threw stones and bottles at police and press during the arrest", stated the then-Interior Minister of Belgium, Jan Jambon. Oussama Zariouh, the bomber of Brussels Central Station in June 2017, lived in Molenbeek. At least four of the terrorists in the November 2015 Paris attacks—the brothers Brahim and Salah Abdeslam, alleged accomplice Mohamed Abrini, and the alleged mastermind Abdelhamid Abaaoud—grew up and lived in Molenbeek. According to former French President François Hollande, that was also where they organised the attacks. On 18 March 2016, Salah Abdeslam, a suspected accomplice in those attacks, was captured in two anti-terrorist raids in Molenbeek that killed another suspect and injured two others. Since several of the attackers in the Paris and Brussels terrorist attacks had connections to the area, Belgian police started door-to-door checks in which a quarter of Molenbeek's inhabitants were investigated, a total of 22,668. This operation resulted in that of the 1,600 organisations investigated, 102 were found to be involved with crime and a further 52 were involved with terrorism. 72 individuals were found to have a terrorist connection and were subject to future surveillance. ==Geography==

Location Molenbeek is located in the north-central part of Belgium, about from the Belgian coast and about from Belgium's southern tip. It is located in the heartland of the Brabantian Plateau, about south of Antwerp (Flanders), and north of Charleroi (Wallonia). It is the third westernmost municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region after Anderlecht and Berchem-Sainte-Agathe and is an important crossing point for the Brussels–Charleroi Canal, which borders the municipality to the east. With an area of , it is also a relatively small municipality in the region, ranking eleventh out of nineteen. It is bordered by the Brussels municipalities of Anderlecht, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Jette and Koekelberg, as well as the Flemish municipality of Dilbeek. Climate Molenbeek, in common with the rest of Brussels, experiences an oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb) with warm summers and cool winters. Proximity to coastal areas influences the area's climate by sending marine air masses from the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby wetlands also ensure a maritime temperate climate. On average (based on measurements in the period 1991–2020), there are approximately 130 days of rain per year in the region. It also often experiences violent thunderstorms in the summer months. {{Weather box|width=auto ==Districts==

There are two distinct areas in Molenbeek: a lower area and an upper area. The lower area, next to the canal, consists of working-class, predominantly migrant, communities, mostly of Moroccan (mainly Riffian and Berber) descent, with many being second- and third-generation. The upper area, close to the Greater Ring (Brussels' second ring road), features newer construction and is mostly middle-class and residential. The territory of Molenbeek is very heterogeneous and is characterised by a mixture of larger districts including smaller residential and (formerly) industrial neighbourhoods. The area along the canal is currently experiencing a large revitalisation programme, as part of the of the Brussels-Capital Region. Lower Molenbeek Historical centre s along the canal in Molenbeek The historical centre of Molenbeek, sometimes referred to as Old Molenbeek, is the municipality's central district. It is bounded by the Brussels–Charleroi Canal to the east and by the Boulevard Léopold II/Leopold II-laan to the north, with the / as its central artery. It grew up around the medieval village core, located on the site of the present-day /. During the Industrial Revolution, it was a centre of intense industrial activity, concentrated around the canal, and is currently in a fragile social and economic situation due to the decline of its economy and the poor quality of some of its housing. Landmarks from this period include the Brussels Museum of Industry and Labour, a former foundry, and the Gosset factory with its Art Deco/modernist architecture, several former breweries converted into hotels (Hôtel Belvue) or event venues (Brussels Event Brewery), as well as many private lofts. The Municipal Hall of Molenbeek is located on the / ("Municipal Square"), in the heart of this district. Upper Molenbeek Karreveld Located in the north of the upper part of Molenbeek, Karreveld Park and its surrounding district are named after the former domain of Karreveld Castle, which now covers . The name Karreveld derives from the Old Dutch , meaning "field of brick earth", referring to the local brickmaking activity that continued into the early 20th century. Today, it is a mostly residential neighbourhood between the /, the Chaussée de Gand and the railroad. Korenbeek Located in the north-east of Molenbeek, Korenbeek takes its name from a former stream that originated near the present-day / and once fed the ponds of Karreveld Castle. The largely residential neighbourhood is characterised by mid-sized housing and a historically mixed working-class population. It is notably home to Molenbeek Cemetery between the Chaussée de Gand and the /. This cemetery was inaugurated in 1864 to replace the old parish cemetery around the Church of St. John the Baptist, which had become too small, and whose last remains were cleared in 1932. Machtens (Marie-José) Located in the upper part of Molenbeek, this district lies in the valley of the Maalbeek (or Molenbeek) that gave the municipality its name. Originally, the area was part of the former Oostendaal estate. In 1920, it was purchased by the municipality and partly turned into two parks, Albert Park and Marie-José Park, in the triangle formed by the /, the / and the /. They were designed by the architect and urban planner Louis Van der Swaelmen, and are named after King Albert I and his daughter, Princess Marie-José, the last Queen of Italy. Osseghem/Ossegem / is centrally located in the upper part of Molenbeek, west of the municipality's historical centre. The neighbourhood used to be a rural hamlet. The name is of Germanic (Frankish) origin and is composed of Odso + -inga + heim, meaning "residence/domain of the family of Odso". An old country road, today's /, which led to the Chaussée de Gand near the current Osseghem/Ossegem metro station, connected the hamlet to Molenbeek and Brussels. Scheutbos (Mettewie) Located in the extreme west of Molenbeek, near the Boulevard Louis Mettewie, the Scheutbos (or Scheutbosch) is the municipality's remaining "green" area, home to the likewise named semi-natural site of the Scheutbos. ==Main sights==

Molenbeek-Saint-Jean has a rich cultural and architectural heritage. Some of the main points of interest include: • The Municipal Hall of Molenbeek, located on the /, designed in eclectic style by the architect Jean-Baptiste Janssens, which was opened in 1889. • The Church of St. John the Baptist, a Catholic parish church designed in Art Deco style by the architect and built in 1931–32, which has been listed as a protected monument since 1984. • The Church of St. Remigius, located on the /, a neo-Gothic building completed in 1907. • The Church of St. Barbara, located on the /, another neo-Gothic building completed in 1894 and listed since 1998. • Molenbeek Cemetery, which contains remarkable monuments, including funerary galleries and a columbarium built in 1880. Since 1999, the castle hosts from mid-July to September the , a theatre festival open to other performing arts (i.e. magic, music, circus, etc.). • The Municipal Museum of Molenbeek (MoMuse), housed in the prestigious building of the Academy of Drawing and Visual Arts. • The Jubilee Bridge, designed in 1904 by the engineer , which connects the Boulevard du Jubilé to the / over Tour & Taxis Park. • The monument dedicated to the heroes of the First World War, designed by the sculptor Georges Vandevoorde and the architect Lucien François, and completed in 1925–26. It is located in the centre of the /, along the Boulevard du Jubilé. • The Vaartkapoen statue, designed by the sculptor Tom Frantzen in 1985, on the /. Moreover, several rundown industrial buildings have been renovated and converted into prime real estate and other community functions. Examples include: • The Fonderie, a former smelter of the Compagnie des Bronzes de Bruxelles, operational from 1854 to 1979, now home to the Brussels Museum of Industry and Labour. The museum focuses on the industry, coupled with the social history of Molenbeek, and the impact of industrialisation on the development of the municipality. • The impressive buildings of the former goods station of Tour & Taxis and the surrounding area bordering the municipality, which are being turned into residences, as well as commercial enterprises. • Brussels' Circus School, installed in the buildings of Tour & Taxis. File:Chateau du Karreveld - Molenbeek.jpg|Karreveld Castle File:Doperremig19.jpg|World War I memorial on the / File:Molenbeek Cité Diongre N°33-34 30006.jpg|Diongre garden city File:La Fonderie (1).jpg|The Fonderie, Brussels' Museum of Industry and Labour ==Demographics==

Historical population Historically, the population of Molenbeek was quite low. The municipality counted 690 inhabitants in 1707 and fewer than 2,000 inhabitants at the beginning of the 19th century. However, following the Industrial Revolution, the population underwent a remarkable growth, peaking at 72,783 in 1910. From then, it began to decrease slightly during the first half of the 20th century to a low of 63,528 in 1961, before increasing again rapidly in recent years. , the population was 98,365. Colors= id:a value:gray(0.9) id:b value:gray(0.7) id:c value:rgb(1,1,1) id:d value:rgb(0.7,0.8,0.9) id:e value:rgb(0.6,0.7,0.8) ImageSize = width:900 height:450 PlotArea = left:50 bottom:30 top:30 right:30 DateFormat = x.y Period = from:0 till:100000 TimeAxis = orientation:vertical AlignBars = justify ScaleMajor = gridcolor:b increment:10000 start:0 ScaleMinor = gridcolor:a increment:5000 start:0 BackgroundColors = canvas:c BarData= bar:1806 text:1806 bar:1816 text:1816 bar:1830 text:1830 bar:1846 text:1846 bar:1856 text:1856 bar:1866 text:1866 bar:1876 text:1876 bar:1880 text:1880 bar:1890 text:1890 bar:1900 text:1900 bar:1910 text:1910 bar:1920 text:1920 bar:1930 text:1930 bar:1947 text:1947 bar:1961 text:1961 bar:1970 text:1970 bar:1981 text:1981 bar:1990 text:1990 bar:2000 text:2000 bar:2010 text:2010 bar:2020 text:2020 bar:2024 text:2024 PlotData= color:d width:20 align:left bar:1806 from:0 till: 1632 bar:1816 from:0 till: 1845 bar:1830 from:0 till: 4142 bar:1846 from:0 till: 12065 bar:1856 from:0 till: 15994 bar:1866 from:0 till: 24333 bar:1876 from:0 till: 37292 bar:1880 from:0 till: 41737 bar:1890 from:0 till: 48723 bar:1900 from:0 till: 58445 bar:1910 from:0 till: 72783 bar:1920 from:0 till: 71225 bar:1930 from:0 till: 64775 bar:1947 from:0 till: 63922 bar:1961 from:0 till: 63528 bar:1970 from:0 till: 68411 bar:1981 from:0 till: 70850 bar:1990 from:0 till: 68904 bar:2000 from:0 till: 71219 bar:2010 from:0 till: 88181 bar:2020 from:0 till: 97979 bar:2024 from:0 till: 98365 PlotData= bar:1806 at: 1632 fontsize:s text: 1.632 shift:(-10,5) bar:1816 at: 1845 fontsize:S text: 1.845 shift:(-10,5) bar:1830 at: 4142 fontsize:S text: 4.142 shift:(-10,5) bar:1846 at: 12065 fontsize:S text: 12.065 shift:(-10,5) bar:1856 at: 15994 fontsize:S text: 15.994 shift:(-10,5) bar:1866 at: 24333 fontsize:S text: 24.333 shift:(-10,5) bar:1876 at: 37292 fontsize:S text: 37.292 shift:(-10,5) bar:1880 at: 41737 fontsize:S text: 41.737 shift:(-10,5) bar:1890 at: 48723 fontsize:S text: 48.723 shift:(-10,5) bar:1900 at: 58445 fontsize:S text: 58.445 shift:(-10,5) bar:1910 at: 72783 fontsize:S text: 72.783 shift:(-10,5) bar:1920 at: 71225 fontsize:S text: 71.225 shift:(-10,5) bar:1930 at: 64775 fontsize:S text: 64.775 shift:(-10,5) bar:1947 at: 63922 fontsize:S text: 63.922 shift:(-10,5) bar:1961 at: 63528 fontsize:S text: 63.528 shift:(-10,5) bar:1970 at: 68411 fontsize:S text: 68.411 shift:(-10,5) bar:1981 at: 70850 fontsize:S text: 70.850 shift:(-10,5) bar:1990 at: 68904 fontsize:S text: 68.904 shift:(-10,5) bar:2000 at: 71219 fontsize:S text: 71.219 shift:(-10,5) bar:2010 at: 88181 fontsize:S text: 88.181 shift:(-10,5) bar:2020 at: 97979 fontsize:S text: 97.979 shift:(-10,5) bar:2024 at: 98365 fontsize:S text: 98.365 shift:(-10,5) • Sources: INS: 1806 to 1981 = census; 1990 and later = population on 1 January Foreign population The population has been described as "mainly Muslim" in the media; however, actual figures are estimated to range between 25% and 40%, depending on the catchment area. Nearly 40% of young people in Molenbeek are unemployed. The municipality lies in a semi-circle of neighbourhoods in Brussels often referred to as the "poor croissant". Among all major migrant groups from outside the EU, a majority of the permanent residents have acquired Belgian nationality. ==Politics==

Molenbeek is governed by an elected municipal council and an executive college of the mayor and aldermen. The longtime mayor from 1992 to 2012 was Philippe Moureaux (PS). Following the Belgian local elections, 2012, an alternative majority was formed headed by then-mayor Françoise Schepmans (MR) and consisting of MR (15 seats), CDH-CD&V (6 seats) and Ecolo-Groen (4 seats). The Socialist Party (16 seats) became the opposition next to the Workers' Party of Belgium (PTB), Democratic Federalist Independent (DéFI), the ISLAM party and the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), each having one seat. The 2018 local elections saw PS return to the majority, with a coalition between the aforementioned and MR being agreed upon. The current mayor is . Mayors was mayor of Molenbeek from 1992 until 2012. Historical list of mayors or burgomasters of Molenbeek: Pre-independence (before 1830) • 1800–1812: J.-B. De Roy • 1812–1818: FR. De Putte • 1818–1819: V. Van Espen • 1819–1830: F. Vanderdussen Kingdom of Belgium (1830–present) ==Sports==

As in the rest of Brussels, sport in Molenbeek is under the responsibility of the Communities. The (ADEPS) is responsible for recognising the various French-speaking sports federations. Its Dutch-speaking counterpart is (formerly called BLOSO). Football Molenbeek's historical football club, Racing White Daring Molenbeek, often referred to as RWDM, was very popular until its dissolution in 2002. Its successor, R.W.D.M. Brussels F.C., used to play in the Belgian first division. It folded at the end of 2012–13 as a member of the Belgian Second Division. Since 2023, its reincarnation, RWDM47, is back playing in the first division. The club's home stadium is the Edmond Machtens Stadium. Other sports The municipality is home to the Royal Daring Hockey Club Molenbeek, a field hockey club. ==Education==

Most of Molenbeek pupils between the ages of 3 and 18 go to schools organised by the French-speaking Community or the Flemish Community. Primary education There are 17 French-language and six Dutch-language primary schools in Molenbeek. Secondary education • Athénée royal Serge Creuz (French-speaking) • Athaneum Toverfluit (Dutch-speaking) ==Transportation==

Road network The Boulevard Léopold II/Leopold II-laan in the north of Molenbeek is part of a monumental east–west axis, at the end of which is the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg. Some other main roads that cross the municipality are the /, the / and the / running east–west, as well as the / running north–south. Public transport is a multimodal transport hub in western Brussels Molenbeek is served by Brussels' metro lines 1, 2, 5 and 6, with Comte de Flandre/Graaf van Vlaanderen, Étangs Noirs/Zwarte Vijvers, Osseghem/Ossegem, Belgica, Beekkant, Gare de l'Ouest/Weststation (Brussels-West Station), and Ribaucourt stations. Brussels-West and Beekkant are connected to all the metro lines and are multimodal transport hubs in western Brussels. The former will also gain importance in the framework of the Brussels Regional Express Network (RER/GEN)'s development, which will connect the capital and surrounding towns. Additionally, a comprehensive bus and tram service links Molenbeek to other parts of the region. The municipality also has a number Villo! public bicycle stations on its territory. Waterways Molenbeek is on the route of the second largest axis of the Belgian network of inland waterways, that is the Antwerp–Brussels–Charleroi axis via the maritime Scheldt, the Maritime Canal and the Brussels–Charleroi Canal. ==Parks and green spaces==

Green spaces in the municipality include: • , a regional nature park of • Semi-natural site of the Scheutbos, a protected area of • Karreveld Park • Marie-José Park • Albert Park • Muses' Park • Hauwaert Park • Bonnevie Park • Fonderie Park ==Notable inhabitants==

• Abdelhamid Abaaoud (1987–2015), French jihadist terrorist involved in the November 2015 Paris attacks • Salah Abdeslam (born 1989), French jihadist terrorist involved in the November 2015 Paris attacks • Montasser AlDe'emeh (born 1989), Belgian-Palestinian researcher • (1913–1999), politician, senator, and mayor of Jette, was born there. • (Norbert Benoit Van Peperstaete) (1910–1993), filmmaker • (1856–1943), politician, author, and Minister of State • (born 1928), artist • (1924–1996), painter • Jean de la Hoese (1846–1917), painter • (1908–1986), musician • Eugène Demolder (1862–1919), writer • (1878–1963), modernist architect • (1898–1949), professor at the Brussels Conservatory, violinist, and teacher of the violinist Arthur Grumiaux • (1877–1962), architect of the Citroën building (now part of KANAL – Centre Pompidou) • Ferdinand Elbers (1862–1943), mechanic, trade unionist, politician, and senator • (1906–1997), politician, Minister of European Affairs, and Minister of Foreign Affairs • (1833–1911), politician and mayor of Molenbeek • (1839–1923), founder of the newspaper La Pensée, leader of the Belgian freethinking movement, and co-founder of the Socialist International • Marcel Josz (1899–1984), actor • Eugène Laermans (1864–1940), painter and engraver • , Esq. (1881–1957), politician, senator, and mayor of Itterbeek, was born there. • (1902–1978), politician and mayor of Molenbeek • Marka, Serge Van Laeken (born 1961), singer, songwriter, composer, and filmmaker • (1793–1873), industrialist, politician, mayor of Neder-over-Heembeek and Molenbeek, and registrar of the Court of Audit. He lived at 7, faubourg de Flandre. • (1855–1942), politician and mayor of Molenbeek • (1870–1935), painter • , also known as Norge (1898–1990), poet • Philippe Moureaux (1939–2018), politician, senator, mayor of Molenbeek, and Professor of Economic History at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) • (1845–1915), geologist, palaeontologist, and curator of the Museum of Natural Sciences of Belgium • (1924–1988), writer • Gabrielle Petit (1893–1916), spy and World War I martyr • Zeynep Sever (born 1989), Miss Belgium 2008 • (1912–1997), architect and painter • Shay (born 1992), rapper • (1889–1978), war pilot and aircraft manufacturer including of the famous Stampe SV-4 • Reimond Stijns (1850–1905), writer • Eric Struelens (born 1969), professional basketball player • Herman Teirlinck (1879–1967), writer • Isidoor Teirlinck (1851–1934), writer • Pierre Tetar van Elven (1828–1908), painter • Toots Thielemans (1922–2016), jazz musician • Henri Joseph Thomas (1878–1972), painter • Pierre Van Humbeeck (1829–1890), politician and Minister of Education • Leon Vanderkindere (1842–1906), historian and professor at the Free University of Brussels • Philippe Vandermaelen (1795–1869), geographer and cartographer. He founded the geographical establishment of Brussels in Molenbeek. • Franky Vercauteren (born 1956), football personality • (1874–1962), painter • Thierry Zéno (1950–2017), author-filmmaker ==International relations==

Twin towns and sister cities Molenbeek is twinned with: • Oujda, Morocco • Levallois-Perret, France ==References==