Anderlecht

The first traces of human activity on the right bank of the Senne date from the Stone Age and Bronze Age. The remnants of a Roman villa and of a Frankish necropolis were also found on the territory of Anderlecht.{{sfn|Thomas|Vanden Branden|De Waha|1999|p=3}} The first mention of the name Anderlecht, however, dates only from 1047 under the forms Anrelech, then Andrelet (1111), Andreler (1148), and Anderlech (1186). At that time, this community was already home to a chapter of canons{{sfn|Thomas|Vanden Branden|De Waha|1999|p=4}} and to two feudal manors, those of the powerful lords of Aa and of Anderlecht.{{sfn|Thomas|Vanden Branden|De Waha|1999|p=6–7}}

File:Saint Guido Church (14).jpg]]

In 1356, the Count of Flanders, Louis II, fought against Brussels on the territory of Anderlecht, in the so-called Battle of Scheut, supposedly over a monetary matter.Jean Baptiste Nicolas Coomans, Jeanne Goetghebuer : chronique brabançonne du XIVe siècle (in French), Brussels, Coomans, 1854, p.57 Although he defeated his sister-in-law, the Duchess of Brabant, Joanna, and briefly took her title, she regained it the following year with the help of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV. In 1393, Joanna's charter made Anderlecht a part of Brussels. It is also around this time that the church of Saint Guy was rebuilt in Brabantine Gothic style above an earlier Romanesque crypt.

The village of Anderlecht became a beacon of culture in the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1521, the Dutch humanist writer and theologian Erasmus of Rotterdam stayed in the canons' house for a few months. Charles, Duke of Aumale and Grand Veneur of France also had a residence there.

The 17th and 18th centuries were marked by the wars between the Low Countries and France. During the Nine Years' War, it is from the high ground of Scheut, in the northern part of Anderlecht, that the bombardment of Brussels of 1695 took place. Together with the resulting fire, it was the most destructive event in the entire history of Brussels.{{sfn|Culot|Hennaut|Demanet|Mierop|1992}} On 13 November 1792, right after the Battle of Jemappes, General Dumouriez and the French Revolutionary army routed the Austrians there once again.[https://books.google.com/books?id=1bEUAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA13#v=onepage&q&f=false|Tissot, Pierre-François (1821). Précis ou histoire a brégée des guerres de la Révolution française (in French), p. 13]Antoine de Jomini, Histoire critique et militaire des guerres de la Révolution: Campagne de 1792 (in French), t. 2, Paris, 1820, p. 238–239. Among the consequences were the disbanding of the canons and Anderlecht being proclaimed an independent municipality by the French.

File:KartuisScheut.png.]]

By the end of the 18th century, Anderlecht including its dependencies, which extended to Brussels' city walls, counted around 2,000 inhabitants. In Scheut, on the site of the Carthusian Monastery, stood a chapel called Our Lady of Scheut, whose pleasant location, in the middle of a grove, made this place very popular at the time.Bart Fransen, Restanten van een meesterwerk : de bouwsculptuur van de kapel van Scheut, in: Millennium, Tijdschrift voor middeleeuwse studies (in Dutch), 2009, no. 1–2, p. 112–128

The 19th century saw a remarkable population growth, mainly because of the proximity to a rapidly expanding Brussels. The {{lang|fr|Chaussée de Ninove|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Ninoofsesteenweg|italic=no}} was laid out in 1828, through the former property of the Carthusians. The population multiplied by ten between 1830 and 1890 and doubled again between 1890 and 1910. Along the {{lang|fr|Chaussée de Mons|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Bergensesteenweg|italic=no}} and the Brussels–Charleroi Canal, a series of industrial and working-class districts connected the centre of Anderlecht to Cureghem.

Remarkable new urban developments and garden cities such as La Roue/Het Rad, Moortebeek and {{lang|fr|Bon Air|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Goede Lucht|italic=no}} were built at the beginning of the 20th century to house the influx of newcomers. Following World War II, some remaining green parts of the municipality also made way for large-scale urban renewal following the modernist Athens Charter and Park system, such as the housing projects Scherdemael, Peterbos and Marius Renard in the upper town, and Aurore near the canal.

In recent years, Anderlecht has gained international attention thanks to its very successful football club.{{Cite web |last= |title=RSC Anderlecht |url=https://www.uefa.com/errors/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=UEFA |language=en}}

File:Anderlecht Brussels-Capital Belgium Map.svg

Anderlecht is located in the north-central part of Belgium, about {{convert|110|km}} from the Belgian coast and about {{convert|180|km|abbr=on}} from Belgium's southern tip. It is located in the heartland of the Brabantian Plateau, about {{convert|45|km|abbr=on}} south of Antwerp (Flanders), and {{convert|50|km|abbr=on}} north of Charleroi (Wallonia). It is the westernmost municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region and is an important crossing point for the Brussels–Charleroi Canal, which cuts the municipality in two from the west. With an area of {{convert|17.91|km2|abbr=on}}, it is also the third largest municipality in the region after the City of Brussels and Uccle. It is bordered by the City of Brussels, Forest, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, and Saint-Gilles, as well as the Flemish municipalities of Dilbeek and Sint-Pieters-Leeuw.

Anderlecht, in common with the rest of Brussels, experiences an oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb) with warm summers and cool winters.{{cite web |title=Brussels, Belgium Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase) |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=15460&cityname=Brussels,+Brussels+Capital,+Belgium&units= |access-date=2019-07-02 |website=Weatherbase}} 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 1981–2010), there are approximately 135 days of rain per year in the region. Snowfall is infrequent, averaging 24 days per year. It also often experiences violent thunderstorms in summer months.

The Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium (IRM/KMI) is located in Uccle, in the south of Brussels. The meteorological records which are carried out there are similar to those which could be carried out in Anderlecht.

{{Weather box|location = Brussels-Capital Region (1981–2010)

|width=

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan high C = 5.9

|Feb high C = 6.8

|Mar high C = 10.5

|Apr high C = 14.2

|May high C = 18.3

|Jun high C = 20.9

|Jul high C = 23.3

|Aug high C = 23.0

|Sep high C = 19.5

|Oct high C = 15.1

|Nov high C = 9.8

|Dec high C = 6.3

|year high C = 14.5

|Jan mean C = 3.2

|Feb mean C = 3.5

|Mar mean C = 6.5

|Apr mean C = 9.5

|May mean C = 13.5

|Jun mean C = 16.1

|Jul mean C = 18.4

|Aug mean C = 18.0

|Sep mean C = 14.9

|Oct mean C = 11.1

|Nov mean C = 6.8

|Dec mean C = 3.8

|year mean C = 10.4

|Jan low C = 0.7

|Feb low C = 0.6

|Mar low C = 2.9

|Apr low C = 4.9

|May low C = 8.7

|Jun low C = 11.5

|Jul low C = 13.6

|Aug low C = 13.0

|Sep low C = 10.5

|Oct low C = 7.5

|Nov low C = 4.5

|Dec low C = 1.5

|year low C = 6.7

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 75.2

|Feb precipitation mm = 61.6

|Mar precipitation mm = 69.5

|Apr precipitation mm = 51.0

|May precipitation mm = 65.1

|Jun precipitation mm = 72.1

|Jul precipitation mm = 73.6

|Aug precipitation mm = 76.8

|Sep precipitation mm = 69.6

|Oct precipitation mm = 75.0

|Nov precipitation mm = 77.0

|Dec precipitation mm = 81.4

|year precipitation mm = 848.0

|Jan precipitation days = 12.8

|Feb precipitation days = 11.1

|Mar precipitation days = 12.7

|Apr precipitation days = 9.9

|May precipitation days = 11.3

|Jun precipitation days = 10.5

|Jul precipitation days = 10.1

|Aug precipitation days = 10.1

|Sep precipitation days = 10.4

|Oct precipitation days = 11.2

|Nov precipitation days = 12.6

|Dec precipitation days = 13.0

|year precipitation days = 135.6

|unit precipitation days = 1 mm

|Jan sun= 58

|Feb sun= 75

|Mar sun= 119

|Apr sun= 168

|May sun= 199

|Jun sun= 193

|Jul sun= 205

|Aug sun= 194

|Sep sun= 143

|Oct sun= 117

|Nov sun= 65

|Dec sun= 47

|year sun= 1583

|source = KMI/IRM{{Cite web |title=Klimaatstatistieken van de Belgische gemeenten, Brussel |url=https://www.meteo.be/resources/climatology/climateCity/pdf/climate_INS21004_nl.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302225635/https://www.meteo.be/resources/climatology/climateCity/pdf/climate_INS21004_nl.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 March 2021 |access-date=3 January 2021 |publisher=KMI/IRM }}

|date=June 2012

}}

File: Anderlecht OSM.png

The territory of Anderlecht 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 {{lang|fr|Plan Canal}} of the Brussels-Capital Region.{{cite web|url=http://canal.brussels/en|title=Plan canal: des ambitions, une méthode, une équipe {{!}} Canal.brussels|website=canal.brussels|language=en|access-date=2017-04-28}}

File:Anderlecht, Dapperheidsplein.jpg with the Church of St. Guido in the background]]

The historical centre of Anderlecht is the municipality's central district. Formerly known as Rinck,{{sfn|Thomas|Vanden Branden|De Waha|1999|p=7}} it is divided into several sectors:

• The {{lang|fr|Saint-Guidon|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Sint Guido|italic=no}} district, also called the {{lang|fr|Vaillance|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Dapperheid|italic=no}} district, is the meeting point for those who hail to the heart of Anderlecht. It is also where the Place de la Vaillance/Dapperheidsplein (Anderlecht's central square), the Church of St. Guido, the {{lang|fr|Place de Linde|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|De Lindeplein|italic=no}}, as well as Anderlecht's main schools are located. The {{lang|fr|Rue Wayez|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Wayezstraat|italic=no}} is the municipality's main shopping street. It is centred on the {{lang|fr|Place of the Resistance|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Verzetsplein|italic=no}} and some neighbouring streets.
• The smaller Aumale district in its northern part mainly comprises the {{lang|fr|Rue d'Aumale|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Aumalestraat|italic=no}} and its surrounding streets. It includes the Erasmus House (a museum devoted to the Dutch humanist writer and theologian Erasmus of Rotterdam), the old beguinage (a late medieval lay convent, now a museum dedicated to religious community life), as well as the Bibliothèque de l'Espace Maurice Carême French-language public library.

{{Main|Cureghem}}

Located in the north-east of Anderlecht,{{Cite web |title=Quartier de Cureghem {{!}} Anderlecht |url=https://www.anderlecht.be/fr/quartier-de-cureghem |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=www.anderlecht.be}} Cureghem/Kuregem is one of the municipality's largest and most populated districts. It developed during the Industrial Revolution along the Brussels–Charleroi 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. Between 1836 and 1991, the district housed the Royal School of Veterinary Medicine, now moved to Liège but often still referred to as Cureghem.{{Cite web|date=23 September 1993|title=L'incroyable déménagement de l'école vétérinaire de Cureghem à Liège - Comment effacer 150 ans d'histoire...|trans-title=The incredible move of the veterinary school from Cureghem to Liège - How to erase 150 years of history?|url=https://www.lesoir.be/art/l-incroyable-demenagement-de-l-ecole-veterinaire-de-cur_t-19930923-Z078LG.html|access-date=25 August 2023|website=Le Soir|language=fr}} The old campus, listed as protected heritage,{{Cite web |title=Ecole vétérinaire de Cureghem – Inventaire du Patrimoine Naturel |url=https://sites.heritage.brussels/fr/sites/69 |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=sites.heritage.brussels |language=fr}} is currently undergoing a large rehabilitation process. Three listed buildings—the former Atlas Brewery,{{Cite web |title=Ancienne brasserie ATLAS – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural |url=https://monument.heritage.brussels/fr/Anderlecht/Rue_du_Libre_Examen/15/36334 |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=monument.heritage.brussels |language=fr}} the old power station, and the former Moulart Mill{{Cite web |title=Ancienne Meunerie Moulart, aujourd’hui centre d’entreprises COOP – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural |url=https://monument.heritage.brussels/fr/Anderlecht/Quai_Fernand_Demets/23/37327 |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=monument.heritage.brussels |language=fr}}—are testaments to the old industrial activities next to the waterway. The Municipal Hall of Anderlecht is located on the {{lang|fr|Place du Conseil|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Raadsplein|italic=no}}, in the heart of this district.{{Cite web |title=Hôtel communal d'Anderlecht – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural |url=https://monument.heritage.brussels/fr/buildings/35003 |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=monument.heritage.brussels |language=fr}} In its lower part, bordering the City of Brussels, are the Square de l'Aviation/Luchtvaartsquare{{Cite web |title=Square de l'Aviation – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural |url=https://monument.heritage.brussels/fr/streets/10700031 |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=monument.heritage.brussels |language=fr}} and the {{lang|fr|Parc de la Rosée|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Dauwpark|italic=no}}.{{Cite web |title=Parc de la Rosée |url=https://gardens.brussels/fr/espaces-verts/parc-de-la-rosee |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=Brussels Gardens |language=fr}}

{{Main|La Roue, Brussels}}

File:Saint Joseph Church (1).jpg]]

Located in the south of Anderlecht, La Roue/Het Rad ("The Wheel") is one of the municipality's largest districts and one of Brussels' main garden cities. Built in the 1920s, with its modest and picturesque houses, it offers a great vision of an early 20th-century working class neighbourhood. It is also home to one of the largest agribusiness industry campuses in Belgium: the Food and Chemical Industries Education and Research Center (CERIA/COOVI),{{Cite web|title=CERIA {{!}} Anderlecht|url=https://www.anderlecht.be/qr/992-ceria|access-date=2021-04-04|website=www.anderlecht.be}} as well as popular department stores.

{{Main|Scheut}}

Located in the north of Anderlecht, Scheut is bounded by the border with the municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean to the north, the historical centre of Anderlecht to the south, the Birmingham district to the east, the Scheutveld district to the west and the semi-natural site of the Scheutbos to the north-west. It is in this district, on the {{lang|fr|Chaussée de Ninove|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Ninoofsesteenweg|italic=no}}, that lay the foundations of the Scheutveld College, on 28 April 1863, by the Catholic priest Theophile Verbist. The congregation of Scheut Missionaries went on to evangelise China, Mongolia, the Philippines, as well as the Congo Free State/Belgian Congo (modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo).{{sfn|Verhelst|Pycke|1995}}{{sfn|Vanysacker|Renson|1995|p=36–37}}

Anderlecht has a rich cultural and architectural heritage.{{cite web|title=Anderlecht – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural|url=https://monument.heritage.brussels/fr/cities/1070|access-date=2021-10-06|website=monument.heritage.brussels|language=fr}} Some of the main points of interest include:

• The Municipal Hall of Anderlecht, located on the {{lang|fr|Place du Conseil|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Raadsplein|italic=no}}, designed in neo-Flemish Renaissance style by the architect {{ill|Jules Jacques Van Ysendyck|fr|Jules Jacques Van Ysendyck}}, which was opened in 1879.{{Cite web |title=Hôtel communal d'Anderlecht – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural |url=https://monument.heritage.brussels/fr/buildings/35003 |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=monument.heritage.brussels |language=fr}}
• The Collegiate Church of St. Peter and St. Guido, located in the municipality's historical centre, on the northern side of the Place de la Vaillance/Dapperheidsplein, its main square. Its Romanesque crypt dates from the 10th century and is one of the oldest in Belgium. It contains a very old tombstone considered to be the grave of the 11th-century Saint Guy. Most of the church, however, dates from around 1350 and later, with most of the currently visible architecture representing the Ogee style (15th–16th centuries). Construction of the tower started in 1517 but ceased with the square part up to the balcony, and was not completed until 1898.Eug. De Seyn, "Geschied- en aardrijkskundig woordenboek der Belgische gemeenten" (Historic and Geographic Dictionary of Belgian communes), A. Bieleveld, Brussels 1933-1934.
• The Erasmus House, built between 1460 and 1515, with its medicinal and philosophical gardens, which can be visited nearby. Right next to the church, the old beguinage is home to a local history museum. Both institutions are now managed jointly as the Erasmus House and Beguinage Museums.{{Cite web|title=Erasmus House|url=https://erasmushouse.museum/en/|access-date=2021-12-24|website=Erasmus House|language=en-US}}
• The Synagogue of Anderlecht, an Orthodox synagogue designed in Art Deco style by the architect {{ill|Joseph de Lange|nl|Joseph de Lange}} and completed in 1933.{{Cite web |title=Synagogue de la Communauté israélite orthodoxe de Bruxelles (CIOB) – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural |url=https://monument.heritage.brussels/fr/Anderlecht/Rue_de_la_Clinique/67A/34987 |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=monument.heritage.brussels |language=fr}}
• The National Memorial to the Jewish Martyrs of Belgium, a monument commemorating the 24,600 Belgian Jewish martyrs of World War II, designed by the architects André Godart and Odon Dupire, and completed in 1970. It is located in the centre of the {{lang|fr|Square des Martyrs Juifs|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Joodse-Martelarensquare|italic=no}}, which was created for the occasion.{{Cite web |title=Mémorial National aux Martyrs Juifs de Belgique – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural |url=https://monument.heritage.brussels/fr/Anderlecht/Square_des_Martyrs_Juifs/A001/36365 |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=monument.heritage.brussels |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=Quartier de Cureghem {{!}} Anderlecht |url=https://www.anderlecht.be/fr/quartier-de-cureghem |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=www.anderlecht.be}}
• The National Museum of the Resistance, which traces the history of the Belgian Resistance and German occupation of Belgium during World War II.
• The Museum of China – Scheut, which houses documents and pieces brought back to Europe by the congregation of Scheut Missionaries, including a 15th-century bronze Buddha.{{cite web|url=https://www.brusselsmuseums.be/en/museums/museum-of-china-scheut|title=Museum of China - Scheut|last=Fun|first=Everything is|date=2017-03-10|website=Brussels Museums|language=en|access-date=2019-12-14}}
• The Maurice Carême Museum, in the {{lang|fr|Maison blanche}} where the Belgian poet lived and wrote.{{cite web|url=http://www.mauricecareme.be/musee.php|title=Musée Maurice Carême|website=www.mauricecareme.be|access-date=2019-12-14}}
• The Luizenmolen in Neerpede, a replica of an old windmill which once stood on the site.{{cite web|url=http://users.skynet.be/luizenmolen/|title=Luizenmolen Anderlecht|website=users.skynet.be|access-date=2019-12-14}}
• The Cureghem Cellars (French: {{lang|fr|Caves de Cureghem}}, Dutch: {{lang|nl|Kelders van Kuregem}}), a subterranean complex of handmade brick caves with vaults, pillars, and arches, originally the site of a cattle market covered by a forged iron roof in the 1890s.{{cite web|url=https://www.abattoir.be/en/file/296|title=Kelders van Cureghem/Les Caves de Cureghem/The Cureghem Cellars|access-date=2019-12-14|archive-date=14 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214155206/https://www.abattoir.be/en/file/296|url-status=dead}} The cellars were simply a foundation for the upper structure until the 1930s, when the city council decided to make better use of them. It proved more profitable to grow mushrooms in the dark and damp underground spaces for local consumption. It fell into disuse as a cattle market but, in 1984, the hall was officially listed as a Belgian monument. Due to its characteristic architecture and unique layout, it was refurbished and transformed by a private company, Abattoir SA. Since 1992, it has served as an event site. One of these was the anatomic exposition Body Worlds ({{langx|de|Körperwelten|link=no}}) by Gunther Von Hagens, which ran in the cellars between 2008 and 2009 and attracted over 500,000 visitors.
• The Cantillon Brewery, a gueuze museum established in an actual working brewery.
• The Museum of Medicine, located on the Erasme/Erasmus campus of the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB).{{cite web|url=https://www.brusselsmuseums.be/en/museums/ulb-museum-of-medicine|title=ULB - Museum of Medicine|last=Fun|first=Everything is|date=2017-03-10|website=Brussels Museums|language=en|access-date=2019-12-14}}
• The Jean-Claude Van Damme statue located on the {{lang|fr|Boulevard Sylvain Dupuis|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Sylvain Dupuislaan|italic=no}}, near the Westland Shopping Center.

File:Maison d'Érasme.jpg|Erasmus House

File:AnderlechtBegijnhof.jpg|Beguinage of Anderlecht

File:Cité de Moortebeek 04.JPG|Moortebeek garden city

File:Anderlecht2019 21.jpg|{{lang|fr|Rue Porselein|italic=no}} / {{lang|nl|Porseleinstraat|italic=no}}

File:Anderlecht Justice de Paix 2014.JPG|{{lang|fr|Justice de Paix}} of Anderlecht

Historically, the population of Anderlecht was quite low. The municipality counted around 2,000 inhabitants at the beginning of the 19th century. However, following the Industrial Revolution, the population underwent a remarkable growth, peaking at 103,796 in 1970. From then, it began to decrease slightly to a low of 87,812 in 2000, before increasing again rapidly in recent years.Sources: INS: 1806 to 1981= census; 1990 and later = population on 1 January

{{As of|2024|1|1}}, the population was 126,581. The area is {{convert|17.91|km2|abbr=on}}, making the density {{convert|7066|PD/km2|abbr=on}}.

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bar:2024 at: 126581 fontsize:S text: 126.581 shift:(-10,5)

• Sources: INS: 1806 to 1980 = census; 1990 and later = population on 1 January

Migrant communities in Anderlecht with over 1,000 people as of 1 January 2020:{{Cite web |title=Nationalités {{!}} IBSA |url=https://ibsa.brussels/themes/population/nationalites |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=ibsa.brussels}}

The current city council was elected in the October 2018 elections.{{cite web|url=http://bru2018.brussels/fr/results/municipalities/6071/index.html|title=Résultats officiels des élections communales 2018|access-date=17 July 2021|language=French}} The current mayor of Anderlecht is Fabrice Cumps, a member of PS, who alongside the other parties on their list, sp.a and cdH, is in coalition on the municipal council with Ecolo - Groen, DéFI and Forward.{{cite web|url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/regions/detail_anderlecht-eric-tomas-devrait-rempiler-avec-une-majorite-ps-defi-ecolo-groen?id=10046750|title=Anderlecht: l'acte de présentation d'Eric Tomas à la fonction de bourgmestre est signé|language=French|date=15 October 2018|access-date=17 July 2021}}

The annual Anderlecht fair, originally a cattle fair, was authorised by William II of the Netherlands in 1825. Since then, it has taken the form of a series of celebrations, which still include animal shows but also a large market, a floral show, and the recreation of a religious procession in honour of Saint Guy.

File:Abattoirs de Cureghem.JPG in Brussels)]]

The {{ill|Abattoirs of Anderlecht|fr|Abattoirs d'Anderlecht}}, located at 24, {{lang|fr|rue Ropsy Chaudron|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Ropsy Chaudronstraat|italic=no}} in Cureghem, is the main slaughterhouse in Brussels, employing some 1,500 people. In addition to its main activities, the great hall serves as a covered market for food and flea markets.{{Cite web |title=Slaughterhouse |url=https://www.abattoir.be/en/slaughterhouse |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Abattoir |language=en}}

In recent years, several major international companies have set up their headquarters in Anderlecht, notably the Delhaize Group, which operates many supermarket chains, from 40, Marie Curie Square,"[http://delhaizegroup.com/en/Contacts.aspx Contacts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522055415/http://www.delhaizegroup.com/en/Contacts.aspx |date=2012-05-22 }}." Delhaize Group. Retrieved on 16 May 2012. "Square Marie Curie 40 1070 Brussels - Belgium" Coca-Cola Benelux at 1424, {{lang|fr|Chaussée de Mons|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Bergensesteenweg|italic=no}},{{Cite news|url=http://fr.cocacolabelgium.be/contact|title=Contact|access-date=2017-02-17|language=fr-BE}} as well as the Belgian chocolate company Leonidas at 41, {{lang|fr|Boulevard Jules Graindor|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Jules Graindorlaan|italic=no}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.leonidas.com/en/contact|title=Leonidas - Bienvenue dans un monde chocolat|website=www.leonidas.com|language=en|access-date=2017-02-17}}

Several hospitals and clinics are located in Anderlecht:

• Erasmus Hospital
• Jules Bordet Institute
• Joseph Bracops Hospital{{cite web|url=http://www.his-izz.be/fr/hopitaux-iris-sud/infos-pratiques-et-contact/joseph-bracops_4|title=Joseph Bracops|website=www.his-izz.be|access-date=2019-12-14}}
• St. Anne St. Remigius Clinic{{cite web|url=https://chirec.be/en/contact/4-st-anne-st-remi-clinic/|title=St-Anne St-Remi Clinic - Our hospital sites - Chirec|website=chirec.be|language=en|access-date=2019-12-14}}

File:Lotto park 2022.jpg fans at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium]]

Anderlecht is the home of the football club RSC Anderlecht, the most successful Belgian football team in European competition as well as in the Belgian First Division with 34 titles.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/belgchamp.html|title=Belgium - List of Champions|website=RSSSF|access-date=2017-02-17}} The club's home stadium is the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, located within Astrid Park. The team colours are white and purple.

{{Further|List of parks and gardens in Brussels}}

Green spaces in the municipality include:{{cite web|url=http://www.anderlecht.be/espaces-verts/parcs-publics|title=Parcs publics|last=Decker|first=Frédéric De|website=www.anderlecht.be|access-date=2016-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230160109/http://www.anderlecht.be/espaces-verts/parcs-publics|archive-date=2016-12-30|url-status=dead}}

• Astrid Park
• {{lang|fr|Parc Forestier|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Bospark|italic=no}}, in Scheut
• Scherdemael Park
• Peterbos Park
• Joseph Lemaire Park
• Jean Vives Park
• {{lang|fr|Parc des Étangs|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Vijverspark|italic=no}}, in Neerpede
• {{lang|fr|Parc de la Rosée|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Dauwpark|italic=no}}, in Cureghem
• The Vogelzang or Vogelenzang, a natural protected area

File:Portrait of Erasmus of Rotterdam by Hans Holbein d. J. in Kunstmuseum Basel.jpg painted by Hans Holbein the Younger (1523)]]

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Saint Guy ({{circa}} 950–1012), known as the Poor Man of Anderlecht, patron saint of Anderlecht[http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-guy-of-anderlecht/ Guy of Anderlecht at saints.sqpn.com.] Retrieved 26.March 2013
• Adrian VI (1459–1523), pope, theologian, rector at the University of Leuven, canon at the Chapter of Anderlecht, lived there.
• {{ill|Joseph Bracops|fr|Joseph Bracops}} (1900–1966), politician and mayor of Anderlecht
• Jacques Brel (1929–1978), singer-songwriter and actor. He lived from 1942 to 1951 at 7, {{lang|fr|rue Jacques Manne|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Jacques Mannestraat|italic=no}}, and worked from 1946 to 1953 in the family cardboard box factory Vanneste & Brel (now SCA Packaging) at 18, {{lang|fr|rue Verheyden|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Verheydenstraat|italic=no}}. A nearby metro station is named after him.
• Maurice Carême (1899–1978), poet
• Fernand Dineur (1904–1956), cartoonist
• {{ill|Benoît Drousie|fr|Zidrou}}, also known as Zidrou (born 1962), comic book artist
• Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536), humanist and theologian
• {{ill|Jean Hayet|fr|Jean Hayet}} (1939–2006), actor, stage manager and professor of the Théâtre royal des Galeries
• {{ill|André Jacqmain|fr|André Jacqmain}} (1921–2014), architect
• Désiré Keteleer (1920–1970), cyclist
• Filip Peeters (born 1962), Flemish actor
• Germaine Schneider (1903–1945), Belgian-Swiss member of the Resistance during World War II
• Henri Seroka (born 1949), singer and composer
• Henri Simonet (1931–1996), politician and mayor of Anderlecht
• Jacques Simonet (1963–2007), politician, mayor of Anderlecht, and Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region
• {{ill|Marcel Spittael|fr|Marcel Spittael}} (1899–1981), architect
• Philippe Thys (1889–1971), cyclist and three-time champion of the Tour de France
• Tonia (Arlette Antoine Dominicus) (born 1947), singer, represented Belgium at the 11th Eurovision Song Contest in 1966
• Toots Thielemans (1922–2016), jazz musician, lived there.
• William Vance (1935–2018), comic book artist
• Constant Vanden Stock (1914–2008), entrepreneur, footballer, functionary, and coach of the Belgium national team
• Virgile Vandeput (born 1994), Belgian-born alpine skier who competes for Israel
• Régine Zylberberg, better known as Régine (1929–2022), chanson singer, actress, clothing designer and nightclub entrepreneur

{{div col end}}

Born in Anderlecht:

• Princess Elisabeth (born 2001), Duchess of Brabant, the eldest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde; heiress
• Princes Gabriel and Emmanuel and Princess Eléonore; 2nd, 3rd and 4th in line to the throne of Belgium
• Yannick Mertens (born 1987), professional tennis player

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Belgium}}

Anderlecht is twinned with:{{cite web|url=http://www.anderlecht.be/component/content/article/71-articles/163-projets-europeens|title=Projets européens|last=Decker|first=Frédéric De|website=www.anderlecht.be|language=fr-fr|access-date=2017-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301180222/http://www.anderlecht.be/component/content/article/71-articles/163-projets-europeens|archive-date=2017-03-01|url-status=dead}}

• {{flagicon|FRA}} Boulogne-Billancourt, France
• {{flagicon|GER}} Berlin-Neukölln, Germany
• {{flagicon|UK}} London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, United Kingdom
• {{flagicon|NED}} Zaandam, Netherlands
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Marino, Italy

In addition, Anderlecht has signed a friendship agreement with:

• {{flagicon|FRA}} Sainte-Maxime, France

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book|last1=Culot|first1=Maurice|last2=Hennaut|first2=Eric|last3=Demanet|first3=Marie|last4=Mierop|first4=Caroline|title=Le bombardement de Bruxelles par Louis XIV et la reconstruction qui s'ensuivit, 1695–1700|location=Brussels|language=fr|publisher=AAM éditions|year=1992|isbn=978-2-87143-079-7}}
• {{cite book|last1=Thomas|first1=Bernadette|last2=Vanden Branden|first2=Jean-Pierre|last3=De Waha|first3=Michel|title=Anderlecht|series=Bruxelles, ville d'Art et d'Histoire|volume=8|location=Brussels|language=fr|publisher=Éditions de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale|year=1999|url=https://patrimoine.brussels/liens/publications-numeriques/versions-pdf/bvah/anderlecht-la-collegiale-le-beguinage-la-maison-derasme}}
• {{cite book|last1=Verhelst|first1=Daniël|last2=Pycke|first2=Nestor|title=C.I.C.M. Missionaries Past and Present: History of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Scheut/Missionhurst)|series=Verbistiana|volume=4|location=Leuven|publisher=Leuven University Press|year=1995|isbn=978-90-6186-676-3}}
• {{cite book|last1=Vanysacker|first1=Dries|last2=Renson|first2=Raymond|title=The Archives of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM-Scheut) (1862–1967) - 2 v.|location=Rome|publisher=Bibliothèque de l'Institut Historique Belge de Rome|year=1995|isbn=978-90-74461-15-3}}

{{portal|Belgium}}

• {{commons category-inline}}
• [http://www.anderlecht.be/ Official website] {{in lang|fr|nl}}

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Anderlecht

|N = Sint-Jans-Molenbeek

|NE = Brussels

|E = Saint-Gilles
Forest

|SE = Drogenbos (VBR)

|S = Sint-Pieters-Leeuw (VBR)

|W = Dilbeek (VBR)

}}

{{Brussels|state2=expanded}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region

Category:Populated places in Belgium

Category:Belgium geography articles needing translation from French Wikipedia