Named after a charter that granted civil liberties, Avenue de Cortenbergh holds more than just historical weight. This avenue in Brussels is a significant thoroughfare. Avenue de Cortenbergh, or Kortenberglaan in Dutch, stretches through the eastern part of the city.
The Avenue de Cortenbergh begins at the Schuman roundabout. It extends northeastward to the intersection of Rue du Noyer and Place de Jamblinne de Meux. Here, it meets the municipality of Schaerbeek. Beyond this point, the road becomes Avenue de Roodebeek. It continues for about a kilometer until it intersects with Boulevard Reyers near the Diamant metro station. The E40 highway also starts here. It connects to Rue Belliard in the Leopold district through the Cortenbergh Tunnel. The tunnel, built in 1977, runs beneath Avenue de Cortenbergh and Avenue de Roodebeek.
Traffic flows in both directions on Avenue de Cortenbergh, part of the N23. However, the section between the Schuman roundabout and Avenue de la Renaissance is reserved for traffic entering the city.
The Royal Military School stands along Avenue de Cortenbergh. You can also find the Great Mosque of Brussels and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands here.
Avenue de Cortenbergh has its origins in the mid-19th century. Between 1855 and 1857, it was constructed alongside Avenue d’Auderghem. The goal was to link Rue de la Loi with Chaussée de Louvain and Chaussée de Wavre respectively. The street’s name pays homage to the Charter of Cortenbergh. This charter, established in 1312, laid out the first civil liberties in the Duchy of Brabant.
When the name was chosen, planners considered the avenue’s location. The municipality of Cortenbergh is approximately 13 kilometers away. The Kortenberg building is located at Avenue de Cortenbergh 150. It is an office building used by the European Union. It primarily houses bodies related to the Common Security and Defence Policy. The building was built in 1977. It features a postmodern design by ARCHI + I. The European Union Military Staff, the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability and the European Defence Agency are located here.