Koekelberg

Koekelberg (French: [kukœlbɛʁ(ɡ)] ^ⓘ;^[a] Dutch: [ˈkukəlˌbɛr(ə)x] ^ⓘ) is one of the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. Located in the north-western part of the region, it is bordered by Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Ganshoren, Jette, and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. In common with all of Brussels' municipalities, it is legally bilingual (French–Dutch).

Koekelberg
Municipality
Koekelberg's Municipal Hall seen from the Place Henri Vanhuffel/Henri Vanhuffelplein
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Koekelberg
Koekelberg Location in Belgium Koekelberg municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region
Coordinates: 50°52′N 04°20′E
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community French Community
Region	Brussels-Capital
Arrondissement	Brussels-Capital
Government
• Mayor	Ahmed Laaouej (PS)
• Governing party/ies	PS, Ecolo-Groen, Alternative Humaniste
Area
• Total	1.18 km2 (0.46 sq mi)
Population  (2020-01-01)[1]
• Total	21,959
• Density	19,000/km2 (48,000/sq mi)
Postal codes	1081
NIS code	21011
Area codes	02
Website	www.koekelberg.be

As of 1 January 2024^[update], the municipality had a population of 22,648 inhabitants, the smallest in the region.^[2] The total area is 1.18 km² (0.46 sq mi), which gives a population density of 19,162/km² (49,630/sq mi).^[2]

The municipality is dominated by the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart (or Koekelberg Basilica), one of the largest Catholic churches in the world.^[3] Its main transportation hub are the interconnected Simonis and Elisabeth metro stations, served by the Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company (STIB/MIVB) system.

Main sights

Koekelberg has a rich cultural and architectural heritage.^[4] Some of the main points of interest include:

• The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart (or Koekelberg Basilica), a minor basilica and parish church, as well as one of the largest churches by area in the world.^[3] Completed only in 1969, and combining Art Deco with neo-Byzantine elements, its cupola provides a panoramic view of Brussels and its outskirts.^[5][6]
• The Municipal Hall of Koekelberg, located on the Place Henri Vanhuffel/Henri Vanhuffelplein. Built in 1882, it was fitted with a geometric Art Deco facade designed by the architect Henri-Aimé Jacobs in 1938.^[7]
• The Church of St. Anne, a Catholic parish church designed in postmodern style by the architects Jean Cosse and Brigitte-Noël de Groof and built in 1989–1990.^[8]
• The Lefever House, an early 20th-century (1913) Art Nouveau town house designed by the architect Fernand Lefever.^[9]
• The buildings of the former Victoria biscuit factory, now home to the Belgian Chocolate Village, a museum dedicated to chocolate.^[10]
• Finally, the municipality maintains several green areas, including Elisabeth Park and Victoria Park.

• 
  National Basilica of the Sacred Heart
• 
  Lefever House
• 
  Belgian Chocolate Village
• 
  Elisabeth Park

Politics

The current city council was elected in the October 2018 elections.^[11] The current mayor of Koekelberg is Ahmed Laaouej, a member of PS, who is in coalition on the municipal council with Ecolo - Groen and Alternative Humaniste.

Economy

Koekelberg is the birthplace of the modern column still. In 1820, Jean‐Baptiste Cellier‐Blumenthal moved to Koekelberg and did the first experiments with his column still. The Belgians began distilling with his design soon after as they wanted to innovate in their distilleries.^{[citation needed]} It is also home to the first whisky produced in Brussels.^[12][13][14]

Footnotes

1. The name Koekelberg comes from Dutch, so its French pronunciation does not (exactly) match the French orthography. See also Schaerbeek.