Kortenberg

Kortenberg
Erps-Kwerps
Flag Coat of arms
Kortenberg Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 50°53′N 04°32′E
Country	Belgium
Region	Flemish Region
Community	Flemish Community
Province	Flemish Brabant
Arrondissement	Leuven
Government
• Mayor	Chris Taes (Cd&V)
• Governing party/ies	CD&V, NVA, VLD
Area
• Total	34.52 km2 (13.3 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2010)
• Total	18,937
• Density	548.6/km2 (1,420.8/sq mi)
Postal codes	3070, 3071, 3078
Area codes	02, 016
Website	www.kortenberg.be
Map of Kortenberg

Kortenberg is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the towns of Erps-Kwerps, Everberg, Kortenberg proper and Meerbeek. In the southern part of Everberg there is a hamlet called Vrebos. Between Erps and Meerbeek another hamlet, called Schoonaarde, can be found in the proximity of the train station of Erps-Kwerps. On January 1, 2006 Kortenberg had a total population of 18,299. The total area is 34.52 km² which gives a population density of 530 inhabitants per km².

History

On the territory of Erps-Kwerps an ancient Roman villa has been excavated. The same archeological site revealed a burial-ground of the Frankish civilisation.

In 1095, Gualgericus, bishop of Kamerijk, acknowledged the existence of a religious community on the Curtenbergh (meaning 'short hill'). For this reason, 1095 has been accepted as the founding year of Kortenberg. The conventuals moved in 1222 from the hill (the 'Curtenbergh') to lower grounds at the Minneveld, where the Abbey of Kortenberg still exists on this day.

From these early days, the Lords of Cortenberg lived in this village. They were of great significance in the history of the duchy of Brabant. See also Charter of Kortenberg. The formerly independent municipality of Erps had the main bailiwick in the area since 1286.

The construction of a paved road from 1706 until 1709 was an important event in the growth of the municipality, together with the construction of a railroad in 1866. In the end of the nineteenth century the new bourgeoisie built a whole range of new residences in the style of the Belle Epoque with the typical spires.

On August 27th 1914, German troops put a local brewery, some residences and a little castle on fire while invading Kortenberg.

Abbey of Kortenberg

Women Benedictine Abbey

Since 1222 an abbey has been present until this day. In 1312 John II, Duke of Brabant (Dutch: Hertog Jan II van Brabant) signed the Charter of Kortenberg in the abbey.

The abbey has a stirring history of arson, plundering and reconstruction. The oldest still remaining parts are the gate building with the gothic spired gate from the early seventeenth century, the Veehof (Eng: 'Cattle courtyard') from 1650, the lease courtyard, the Brewery from 1732 , and the abbey castle which was built from 1779 until 1783. The traditional great hall and the baroque chapel are dated from 1934. The abbey, which is owned by the diocese, became a protected monument on February 14th 2005 as part of resolution made by the Flemish government. The Old Abbey Kortenberg is a center of contemplation. Old Abbey of Kortenberg

Traffic and mobility

The municipality is crossed by the highway A3/E40 (Brussels-Liège). Although the territory contains a parking lot adjacent to this highway, it doesn't have any access or exits roads. It lies between exit 21 (Sterrebeek) and exit 22 (Bertem). The main secondary road is the N2, which connects Brussels with Leuven. Kortenberg has a train station which lies on the line Brussels-Liège (line 36). Also the town of Erps-Kwerps has its own train station on that same line. A network of public transport via buses is maintained by the Flemish bus service company De Lijn.

Bus services: 358 (Brussels (North) - Kortenberg - Leuven); 351 (Brussels (North) - Kortenberg - Everberg - Meerbeek - Leuven); 352 (Kraainem metro - Kortenberg - Erps-Kwerps - Leuven); 225 (Kortenberg - Vilvoorde); 318 (Vrebos - Brussels); 271 (Brussels - Erps-Kwerps - Kampenhout); 651 (Brussels airport - Kortenberg - Everberg - Meerbeek - Leuven); 652 (Brussels airport - Erps-Kwerps - Leuven); 516 (School bus to Haacht); 521 (School bus to Heverlee via Everberg and Meerbeek); 522 (School bus to Heverlee via Erps-Kwerps); 523 (School bus to Heverlee via Kortenberg); Za1 (School bus to Zaventem)

Education

The municipality organizes primary education in all of the four towns:

• 'De Klimop' in Erps-Kwerps

• 'De Negensprong' in Everberg

• 'De Regenboog' in Kortenberg

• 'De Boemerang' in Meerbeek

The oldest existing school in Kortenberg is the primary school Mater Dei in the town of Erps-Kwerps. The Flemish Community also organizes educational facilities in the community school Hertog-Jan, which is a primary school and a middle school as well.

Notable citizens of Kortenberg

Citizens who were born or died in Kortenberg, lived a considerable time in Korterberg, or still live there.

• Marie Abts-Ermens

• Félicien Marceau (born Louis Carette)

• family de Mérode

o Willem Charles Ghislaine van Merode (1762-1831), Prince van Rubempré-Everberge

o Minister of State Charles-Antoine-Ghislain (Karel) count de Mérode-Westerloo

• Albert Jozef baron de Vleeschauwer van Braekel

• Minister of State Robert Houben

• Jean Meeus

• General Bernard Montgomery (in 1941 en 1944)

• Edward Schillebeeckx

• Minister of State and Karel Van Miert (also former European Commissioner)

External links

• Official website - Available only in Dutch
• Website with some more pictures and history - Available only in Dutch
• Gazetteer Entry
• Heritage House Kortenberg (Erfgoedhuis VZW): Historical and Cultural Society