“Why is this street called Rue du Cardinal?” you might ask yourselves. Well let’s discover the secrets of the Rue du Cardinal also known as Kardinaalstraat. This street snakes through Brussels and Saint-Josse-ten-Noode.
The Rue du Cardinal has a dual identity. It bears two names reflecting Belgium’s bilingual nature. Rue du Cardinal is its French moniker. Kardinaalstraat is its Dutch equivalent. This duality is a common sight in Brussels.
Brussels is divided into 19 municipalities. Each one manages its own street names in both languages. Sometimes the French and Dutch names are very similar. Other times they vary greatly. This can lead to some confusion and amusement. Street names reflect the city’s rich linguistic history.
The capital has Flemish roots going back to the 10th century. French gained prominence later through the Burgundian court. Over time Brussels became a melting pot of languages. Today street signs stand as a testament to this history.
Mapping street names in Brussels can be tricky. When a street crosses municipal borders, it gets split. Each section then gets the official name from its municipality. If a road forms a border, things get even more complex. Mappers use special tags to indicate names on the left and right sides of the street. These tags specify the language and spelling variations.
Consider the complexities of bilingual street names. Take “Avenue d’Auderghem” in French. Its Dutch counterpart is “Oudergemselaan.” Both refer to the same street. Yet they sound and look quite different. Brussels mappers carefully document these variations. They use tags like “name:fr” and “name:nl”. These tags capture both the French and Dutch versions of the name.
Now back to the Rue du Cardinal, this street is more than just a name. It is a place where people live. For example, Cardinal 54 offers shared housing. This renovated mansion boasts eight bedrooms and modern amenities. Starting at 670 euro per month this could be your new home. Imagine living on a street with such a rich history. A street that embodies the spirit of Brussels.
So as you stroll along the Rue du Cardinal Kardinaalstraat remember its story. A story of language and culture. A story etched into the very streets of Brussels.