Considering Watermael-Boitsfort’s past a tale of two settlements emerges. The story of Watermael-Boitsfort is a journey from ancient villages to a modern municipality. Watermael-Boitsfort is one of the 19 municipalities in Brussels-Capital Region.
The earliest signs point back to a fortified neolithic village. Imagine people building homes here between 3500 and 2500 BC. Later Watermael’s name surfaced in 914. An estate with that name was gifted to a French abbey. Watermael possibly means water depression in Frankish.
Boitsfort sprung up later. It began as a hunting lodge given to the Boutsvoord family. This gift came from the Duchy of Brabant in the 13th century. Hunting was popular. Nobles built lodges near the Sonian Forest. Over time a road to Brussels spurred growth. Watermael’s population jumped from 349 in 1709 to 826 in 1800.
Under French rule Watermael and Boitsfort joined in 1811. Watermael-Boitsfort was born. Though industries appeared it stayed mostly agricultural. The railway arrived in 1854 connecting it to Brussels. It soon became a fashionable area.
Initially Dutch thrived. But French took over after 1920. The 1920s saw garden cities appear. Le Logis and Floréal offered new housing. In 1970 the population peaked at 25138.
Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen was an early mayor. He helped create the Free University of Brussels. He served Watermael-Boitsfort from 1825 to 1842.
Watermael-Boitsfort stands out as one of Brussels’ wealthier areas. In 2002 the average income was higher than the regional average. Fewer residents were non-Belgian citizens. Since 2000 the local government is led by the Ecolo party. The current mayor is Olivier Deleuze.
You can travel here by train. Watermael and Boitsfort stations both lie on railway line 161. The International School of Brussels is located in Watermael-Boitsfort. It opened in 1951.
Watermael-Boitsfort boasts notable buildings. The Church of St Clement has parts from the 11th century. Many grand country houses dot the area. These include Chateau Tournay-Solvay and Chateau de Jolimont. The Brussels Golf Club occupies the center. Runners and walkers use the old horse-racing track.
Watermael-Boitsfort has been home to famous figures. Auguste Beernaert a Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner lived here. Artists Omer Coppens Paul Delvaux and Rik Wouters also called it home. Even Hergé the creator of Tintin lived here.
Watermael-Boitsfort a blend of history nature and affluence. It is a unique municipality within Brussels. Its past shaped its present. It continues to evolve. Watermael-Boitsfort is a place where history meets modern life.