Fancy a tale of rabbits and castles? Our story begins right here in Dilbeek. Dilbeek is more than just a name. It is a place with a history stretching back centuries.
Dilbeek sits in Flemish Brabant. It is a municipality made up of several villages. These include Dilbeek proper, Groot-Bijgaarden and Itterbeek. Also Schepdaal, Sint-Martens-Bodegem and Sint-Ulriks-Kapelle are part of Dilbeek. Dilbeek lies just outside Brussels. It is known as the “Gate to the Pajottenland”.
The history of Dilbeek is long. Saint Alena’s life was set here. She was a 7th-century martyr. Her story is still told today, although the facts are disputed. In Carolingian times, Dilbeek was part of the pagus Bracbatensis. The first mention of Dedelbeccha was in 1075.
The parishes of Dilbeek once belonged to Cambrai. Later, they were under the Archbishop of Mechelen. In the 16th century, Dilbeek fell under the rule of the Lords of Gaasbeek. Wars between Catholics and Protestants marked this time.
Dilbeek is known for its events. There are annual fairs and kermesses. Every spring, Dilbeek hosts a tulip festival. In the summer, the Vijverfestival takes place. Flemish bands play on a floating stage on the pond. The pond is behind the town hall.
Dilbeek has several interesting sights. The castle of Groot-Bijgaarden was built in 1640. It stands around a 14th-century keep. Nearby is the Sint-Wivina domain. You can still see the ruins of the original abbey.
The local authority offices are also known as the de Viron Castle. It was built in 1863. It is in Tudor style. The castle stands on the ruins of a 14th-century fortification. The Sint-Alenatoren is a medieval tower. It can be seen in the park. Charles V once visited this fort. He was served rabbit instead of hare. Because of this the locals were nicknamed “konijnenfretters” meaning rabbit eaters.
The rural areas around Dilbeek have old farms. One is Het Neerhof. It is a 13th-century building. It belonged to the abbey of Forest.
The Sint-Ambrosiuskerk has a tower from the 13th century. The Sint-Anna-Pede church was painted by Peter Brueghel the Elder. He used it as a model for his painting “The Parable of the Blind”. The village has a Brueghel museum. There is also a restored watermill from 1776.
Dilbeek also has a tram museum. It shows the history of local transportation since 1887. In Sint-Gertrudis-Pede you find Payottenland’s only working watermill. It is centuries old.
Dilbeek is home to famous people. Saint Alena and Saint Wivina lived here. Romain Maes won the 1935 Tour de France. Urbanus, a famous comedian, grew up in Schepdaal. Black Box Revelation is a band from Dilbeek. Remco Evenepoel is a cyclist nicknamed the “Schepdaal Cannibal”.
Dilbeek is twinned with Obervellach in Austria. Also with Dalton in the United States and Franschhoek in South Africa.
So, as you explore Dilbeek remember its layers of history. From saints and castles to rabbit eaters and modern-day cyclists. Dilbeek offers a rich tapestry of stories waiting to be discovered.