Berchem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Berchem is a southern district of the municipality and city of Antwerp in the Flemish Region of Belgium. Berchem is located along the old Great Stone Road ('Grote Steenweg' in Dutch) that has connected Brussels to Antwerp for several centuries; the town borders the districts of Deurne, Borgerhout, Wilrijk and Antwerp and the municipality of Mortsel. Berchem itself consists of three quarters, Oud Berchem, Groenenhoek and Nieuw Kwartier.
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[edit] Demography
Berchem's total surface is over 1,500 acres, and it is inhabited by more than 40,000 citizens.
[edit] Political Structure
After 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 includes 23 members, directly elected for six-year terms by popular vote. The executive college comprises five aldermen (districts-schepenen), who are installed by the County Council.
The County Council has seven members of the social-democrat alliance SP.a-SPIRIT, six members of the extremist cartel Vlaams Belang-VLOTT, four members of the liberal alliance VLD-Vivant, four members of the Christian democrat conservative cartel CD&V-N-VA and two members of the ecologist party, Groen!. The DEFUSIE party of former county mayor Pros Slachmuylders did not gain a seat in the council.
The chair of the council is Peter Raats, a member of the SP.a. The five aldermen are Peter Raats (SP.a), Fatiha Azzaoui (SP.a), Luc Thiessen (CD&V), Joseph Radart (VLD) and Axel Polis (VLD). Fons Borginon (VLD) presides the sessions of the county council.
[edit] 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.
Berchem has a trendy shopping district and one of the biggest railway stations in Belgium (with TGV-connections to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Paris, Lille, London, Ashford, Aachen and Cologne).
[edit] History
[edit] Name
Berchem is located on a landscaped ridge dominating the Antwerp Lowlands ('Antwerpse Vlakte' in Dutch). 'Berchem' signifies a village (heem in ancient Dutch) situated on a hill (berg in Dutch).
[edit] 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 parish on that hill, overlooking the Escaut River. This religious community lived together as hunters, farmers and fishermen for several centuries.
[edit] 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 coiner of the name 'Berchem' and the first to be named of Berchem. The stringent rule, inhuman treatment, and the fondness for war of his successors led to the expansion of the Berchem lands. By the end of the 15th century, Berchem was inhabited by more than 3,000 people.
[edit] 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, florishing trade and 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 towns on the outskirts of Antwerp, dominated by artisans and tradesmen.
[edit] Religious Wars
The period under Spanish occupation was characterized by religious warfare, legal pillage and Anti-catholicism. The Storm of Monuments ('Beeldenstorm' in Dutch) is the best-known example of this period. The consequences were devastating for Antwerp and its surroundings. Berchem's main church was also destroyed in these riots.
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 after this 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 loyal Papists meant the restoration of peace in Berchem.
[edit] 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.
After a brief period of independence, the Southern Netherlands were annexed by France and incorporated into the new Napoleonic state. 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.
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.
[edit] 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.
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).
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.
[edit] 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 fewer than five hundred people. Most of the inhabitants died or fled to the neighbouring countries during the bombings.
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.
[edit] 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').
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.
In 1969, the fortress belt was removed and replaced by two major Ringways, the Ring (transit traffic) and the Singel (inbound traffic).
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.
