Mutsaard

Can a place exist in three municipalities at once? Mutsaard can. This peculiar village straddles the borders of Brussels, Vilvoorde, and Grimbergen. Mutsaard’s heart, the Place du Mutsaert, sits right at the intersection. This historical quirk has shaped Mutsaard’s identity. Today, Mutsaard is a seamless urban area with Neder-over-Heembeek, Strombeek, Beauval, and Koningslo. Yet, each retains its distinct historical footprint. Mutsaard is also known by other names. Sometimes it’s called the Pagodas district, sometimes the Japanese Tower district, and even the De Wand district. Its multifaceted nature extends to its spellings too, alternating between Mutsaard and Mutsaert. The Brussels portion of Mutsaard, nestled between Laeken and Neder-over-Heembeek, is primarily associated with the postal code 1020. This area largely belonged to the former municipality of Laeken. A small part, however, was once Neder-over-Heembeek. This section was annexed by Laeken in 1897. It was compensation for land lost during Brussels’ maritime expansion. This explains why Mutsaard’s church, the Church of Christ the King, falls under the pastoral unit of Neder-Over-Heembeek, not the church of Laeken. Interestingly, the Mormon Church of Belgium is also located within Mutsaard, specifically in the Grimbergen municipality. The history of Mutsaard is intricately woven with its location. A Roman road once passed through here, dating back to Roman times. The first documented mention of the area, then known as Wannecouter, appears in 1297. Wannecouter remains a principal street name in Mutsaard. The name Mutsaert first surfaced in 1724, referring to a local inn. It wasn’t until 1770 that the name Mutsaert became synonymous with the hamlet itself. However, the name Wannecouter was still in use as late as 1891. Today, Wannecouter exists both as a street name and as a designated place on cadastral maps. The area saw significant transformation in the late 1950s. Mutsaard blossomed from a small hamlet into a thriving residential area. Schools, shops, and other amenities flourished. Mutsaard, even its Flemish portion, is largely French-speaking. It was even impacted by the registration rights within the Egmont Pact. This is similar to its neighbors, Beauval and Strombeek-Bever. Mutsaard’s story is one of intriguing evolution. From a simple inn to a village spanning three municipalities, its history reflects the layered tapestry of the region itself.