Standing here in Over-Heembeek, imagine a village on the edge of medieval Brussels. It began around a small church. That church became the center of a parish. Later, a second church grew in the north. The two parishes split and became two villages. Over-Heembeek became known as Upper Heembeek. It surrounded the Church of St Nicholas. Neder-Heembeek was Lower Heembeek. It surrounded the Church of St Peter and St Paul.
In 1112 and 1155, both parishes went to Dieleghem Abbey. Fast forward to the 15th century. The Goudenaken family owned the castle at Lower Heembeek. In 1505, Adriana van Goudenaken married Gilles II de Busleyden. The castle then belonged to the Busleyden family. Gilles had famous brothers, Hieronymus and Frans van Busleyden. The castle stayed with the Busleyden family for over a century.
Jan van Busleyden became Lord at Heembeek in 1554. He died two years later. His son Gilis inherited Heembeek Castle in 1557. Gilis died in Brussels in 1596. Adriaan-Eric Van Busleyden inherited the castle. He died in 1617. The castle then went to Margareta Van Busleyden. She was married to Jan van Tiras. Frans-Robrecht van Tyras inherited the castle in 1663. Two months later Jan Frans ‘t Serclaes became the owner. He sold the castle to monks at Dieleghem Abbey in 1674. They resold it to a merchant’s widow from Antwerp.
In 1814, Lower and Upper Heembeek became one parish. In 1813, the first municipality appeared. It kept both names to honor both parishes. In 1921, Haren, Laken, and Neder-Over-Heembeek joined the City of Brussels. This tripled Brussels’ size. Today, Heembeek names various services like transportation stops. This often ignores the old parish lines.
Now, let me tell you a peculiar story. Back in 1618, alchemy touched Over-Heembeek. Jan van Helmont lived on a farm near the church. He followed Paracelsus’ teachings. One night, a stranger gave him unusual powder. Van Helmont mixed it with mercury. He heated it and created gold. Some say the stranger was involved in the execution of the Counts of Egmont and Horn. This event inspired van Helmont. He became a father of modern chemistry.
In 1843, Count Gioacchino Pecci lived on the same farm. He searched the place thoroughly. This Count Pecci later became Pope Leo XIII in 1878.
Here in Over-Heembeek, you see layers of history. From medieval parishes to alchemy experiments to eventual merging with Brussels. Over-Heembeek retains its unique identity. It is a blend of the past and present.