Uccle
Encyclopedia
Uccle or Ukkel (Dutch
, pronounced ˈʏkəl) is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium
.
Uccle is known for its well-to-do areas, its green spots and its high rental rates.
in the year 803, with Charlemagne
and Gerbald, Bishop of Liège, attending the ceremony. During the following centuries, several noble families built their manor and took residency here. The first mention of the name Woluesdal, now evolved into Wolvendael, dates from 1209. In 1467, Isabella of Portugal
, wife of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy founded a Franciscan
convent on Uccle’s territory. Later, Uccle became the judiciary
capital of the area including Brussels
. Throughout the early stages of its history, however, the village of Uccle always had a predominantly rural character and lived mostly from the products of forestry
and agriculture
.
At the end of the 18th century, a few years after the French Revolution
, Uccle merged with neighbouring territories to become a commune, with its own mayor
and municipal assembly. It had to wait until 1828, however, for the Dutch
authorities to allow the construction of the first town hall. This was a time of economic prosperity and growth, stimulated by the proximity to the two main roads linking Brussels to the industrial south. A newer and larger town hall was built between 1872 and 1882. Banker and philanthropist
Georges Brugmann contributed a lot to the urbanisation of the city just before the turn of the century. In the early 20th century Michel van Gelder introduced a new breed of chicken, the d'Uccle, named after the town. Despite the accelerated rate of construction that took place in the early 20th century, Uccle succeeded in keeping several of its green areas intact, which now attract many of the Brussels area’s wealthier inhabitants.
Lying beyond Forest and Ixelles and skirting the Forêt de Soignes, Uccle is Brussel’s largest and most southerly commune. Large, 19th-century detached houses with generous gardens make this green and calm suburb a favourite with well off expatriates, with the art deco area around the Royal Observatory and the fringes of the Forêt de Soignes the two most desirable addresses.
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
, pronounced ˈʏkəl) is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
.
Uccle is known for its well-to-do areas, its green spots and its high rental rates.
History
According to legend, Uccle’s church of St. Peter was dedicated by Pope Leo IIIPope Leo III
Pope Saint Leo III was Pope from 795 to his death in 816. Protected by Charlemagne from his enemies in Rome, he subsequently strengthened Charlemagne's position by crowning him as Roman Emperor....
in the year 803, with Charlemagne
Charlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans from 800 to his death in 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800...
and Gerbald, Bishop of Liège, attending the ceremony. During the following centuries, several noble families built their manor and took residency here. The first mention of the name Woluesdal, now evolved into Wolvendael, dates from 1209. In 1467, Isabella of Portugal
Infanta Isabel, Duchess of Burgundy
Isabella of Portugal was a Portuguese infanta of the House of Aviz, the only surviving daughter of King John I of Portugal and his wife Philippa of Lancaster. Her most notable siblings were Henry the Navigator, Peter, Duke of Coimbra, and King Edward of Portugal...
, wife of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy founded a Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
convent on Uccle’s territory. Later, Uccle became the judiciary
Judiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes...
capital of the area including Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
. Throughout the early stages of its history, however, the village of Uccle always had a predominantly rural character and lived mostly from the products of forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
and agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
.
At the end of the 18th century, a few years after the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, Uccle merged with neighbouring territories to become a commune, with its own mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
and municipal assembly. It had to wait until 1828, however, for the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
authorities to allow the construction of the first town hall. This was a time of economic prosperity and growth, stimulated by the proximity to the two main roads linking Brussels to the industrial south. A newer and larger town hall was built between 1872 and 1882. Banker and philanthropist
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
Georges Brugmann contributed a lot to the urbanisation of the city just before the turn of the century. In the early 20th century Michel van Gelder introduced a new breed of chicken, the d'Uccle, named after the town. Despite the accelerated rate of construction that took place in the early 20th century, Uccle succeeded in keeping several of its green areas intact, which now attract many of the Brussels area’s wealthier inhabitants.
Lying beyond Forest and Ixelles and skirting the Forêt de Soignes, Uccle is Brussel’s largest and most southerly commune. Large, 19th-century detached houses with generous gardens make this green and calm suburb a favourite with well off expatriates, with the art deco area around the Royal Observatory and the fringes of the Forêt de Soignes the two most desirable addresses.
Main sights
- Uccle is mainly a residential area, but counts a lot of parks and forested areas, such as the Park of Wolvendael and the Verrewinkel Woods. The municipality is also situated to the immediate west of the famous Bois de la CambreBois de la CambreTer Kamerenbos or Bois de la Cambre is an urban public park on the edge of the Sonian Forest in Brussels, Belgium. It has an area of 1.23 square kilometres. The park lies in the south of the Brussels-Capital Region, and in the municipality of the City of Brussels...
. - St. Job Square and the area near St. Peter's Church and the town hall are two older parts of town, now filled with a happy mix of stores and pubs.
- Uccle is the site of the Belgian national weather stationWeather stationA weather station is a facility, either on land or sea, with instruments and equipment for observing atmospheric conditions to provide information for weather forecasts and to study the weather and climate. The measurements taken include temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind...
, the Royal Meteorological InstituteRoyal Meteorological InstituteThe Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium is a Belgian federal institute of the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office . It is located in Uccle and in Dourbes...
: any information on Belgian weather, unless region specific, is described by the statistics recorded in Uccle. Right next door is the Royal Observatory of Belgium. - Uccle Cemetery, also known as Dieweg Cemetery, was created following a choleraCholeraCholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
epidemics that afflicted Brussels in 1866. Its mixture of trees and old stones exudes a unique romantic atmosphere. - The Bloemenwerf, a turn-of-the-century (1900) Art NouveauArt NouveauArt Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
villa built by architect Henry Van de VeldeHenry van de VeldeHenry Clemens Van de Velde was a Belgian Flemish painter, architect and interior designer. Together with Victor Horta and Paul Hankar he could be considered one of the main founders and representatives of Art Nouveau in Belgium...
. - Nemo 33Nemo 33Nemo 33 is the deepest indoor swimming pool in the world. The pool is located in Brussels, Belgium. Its maximum depth is . It contains 2.5 million liters of non-chlorinated, highly filtered spring water maintained at 30 °C and holds several simulated underwater caves at the depth level...
is the deepest indoor swimming pool in the world.
Notable residents
- Jean AméryJean AméryJean Améry , born Hanns Chaim Mayer, was an Austrian-born essayist whose work was often informed by his experiences during World War II...
, born Hans Maier, authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and essayist (1912-1978) - Sandrine BlanckeSandrine BlanckeSandrine Blancke is an actress. She has started her acting career at the age of 13 in the 1991 film Toto le héros.-Selected filmography:* Toto le héros * The Return of Casanova...
, actress (b. 1978) - Roger De Coster, motocrossMotocrossMotocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
racer (b. 1944) - Maurits Cornelis EscherM. C. EscherMaurits Cornelis Escher , usually referred to as M. C. Escher , was a Dutch graphic artist. He is known for his often mathematically inspired woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints...
, DutchNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
graphic artistLine artLine art is any image that consists of distinct straight and curved lines placed against a background, without gradations in shade or hue to represent two-dimensional or three-dimensional objects...
(1898-1972) - Jean-Michel FolonJean-Michel FolonJean-Michel Folon was a Belgian artist, illustrator, painter, and sculptor. Folon was born in Uccle, Brussels, Belgium in 1934 where he studied architecture at the Institut Saint-Luc. In 1955 he settled in a gardener’s house in the outskirts of Paris. Over a period of five years he drew morning,...
, artist, illustratorIllustratorAn Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
, painterPaintingPainting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, and sculptor (1934-2005) - Martin GrayMartin GrayMartin Gray may refer to:* Martin Gray , American anthropologist and photographer known for his website, Sacred Sites* Martin Gray , Polish emigrant to the United States and then France who served in the Red Army and NKVD but also claims to be a survivor of the Holocaust* Martin Gray , English...
Warschau ghetto and Holocaust survivor, writer. (b. 1922) - Pierre HarmelPierre HarmelPierre Charles José Marie Harmel, from 1991 Count Harmel was a Belgian lawyer, Christian Democratic politician and diplomat...
, lawyerLawyerA lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, and diplomatDiplomatA diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
(1911-2010) - HergéHergéGeorges Prosper Remi , better known by the pen name Hergé, was a Belgian comics writer and artist. His best known and most substantial work is the 23 completed comic books in The Adventures of Tintin series, which he wrote and illustrated from 1929 until his death in 1983, although he was also...
, comicsComicsComics denotes a hybrid medium having verbal side of its vocabulary tightly tied to its visual side in order to convey narrative or information only, the latter in case of non-fiction comics, seeking synergy by using both visual and verbal side in...
writer and artistArtistAn artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
, creator of The Adventures of TintinThe Adventures of TintinThe Adventures of Tintin is a series of classic comic books created by Belgian artist , who wrote under the pen name of Hergé...
(1907-1983) - Vincent KompanyVincent KompanyVincent Jean Mpoy Kompany is a Belgian footballer who plays for Manchester City and the Belgium national team. He is capable of playing at both centre back and defensive midfielder. Kompany is of partial Congolese ancestry...
, footballFootball (soccer)Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
defenderDefender (football)Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
(b. 1986) - Joachim LafosseJoachim LafosseJoachim Lafosse is a Belgian film director and screenwriter.- Career :Lafosse studied at the IAD at Louvain-la-Neuve between 1997 and 2001. His graduation film Tribu, a 24-minute short, won the best Belgian short subject category at the 2001 Namur Film Festival...
, film directorFilm directorA film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
(b. 1975) - Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein and Prince Rudolf of Liechtenstein, (b. 1974 and 1975, resp.)
- Princess Mathilde, Duchess of BrabantPrincess Mathilde, Duchess of BrabantPrincess Mathilde, Duchess of Brabant, DHS , is the wife of the heir apparent to the Belgian throne, Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant...
(b. 1973) - Marianne MerchezMarianne MerchezMarianne Merchez is a Belgian doctor from the Catholic University of Louvain and a former European Space Agency astronaut....
, astronautAstronautAn astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
(b. 1960) - Axel MerckxAxel MerckxAxel Merckx , is a Belgian former professional road bicycle racer who retired from the sport in August 2007. Since he began his professional career in 1993, he has won an Olympic Bronze medal and competed in 8 Tours de France, finishing in 6 as the highest-placed Belgian rider...
, professional road bicycle racer (b. 1972) - Philippe MoureauxPhilippe MoureauxPhilippe Moureaux is a Belgian politician, senator, mayor of Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, and professor of economic history at the Université Libre de Bruxelles....
, politician, senator, and professor of economic historyEconomic historyEconomic history is the study of economies or economic phenomena in the past. Analysis in economic history is undertaken using a combination of historical methods, statistical methods and by applying economic theory to historical situations and institutions...
(b. 1939) - Alizée PoulicekAlizée PoulicekAlizée Poulicek is a beauty pageant contestant who won the title of Miss Belgium 2008 and represented her country in Miss Universe 2008 in Nha Trang, Vietnam. She went unplaced at the latter pageant. She also represented Belgium in Miss World 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa.She can speak...
, Miss UniverseMiss UniverseMiss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
Belgium 2008 (b. 1987) - Joseph RaphaelJoseph RaphaelJoseph Raphael was an American Impressionist painter.Joseph Morris Raphael holds a high place in the California, American and French Schools of Impressionism. Born in the town of Jackson, California on June 2, 1869, Raphael became one of the most famous students of his esteemed teacher Arthur F....
, painterPaintingPainting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
(1869-1950) - Axelle RedAxelle RedAxelle Red is a Belgian singer-songwriter.-Biography:She was born at Hasselt, Flanders, Belgium, the daughter of Roland Demal, a solicitor in Hasselt and Councillor for the Flemish Liberals and Democrats in the City Council.Nowadays a committed artist and a militant humanist, back in 1993 Axelle...
, born Fabienne Demal, singer (b. 1968) - Sybille de Selys LongchampsSybille de Selys LongchampsSybille, Baroness de Selys Longchamps is a Belgian aristocrat. She is known as the mother of Delphine Boël, supposedly the illegitimate daughter of Albert II of Belgium, current King of the Belgians....
, baronBaronBaron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
ess and aristocratAristocracy (class)The aristocracy are people considered to be in the highest social class in a society which has or once had a political system of Aristocracy. Aristocrats possess hereditary titles granted by a monarch, which once granted them feudal or legal privileges, or deriving, as in Ancient Greece and India,...
(b. 1941) - Olivier StrebelleOlivier StrebelleOlivier Strebelle is a Belgian sculptor born in Brussels on 20 January 1927.His monumental sculptures adorn many public places in Brussels as well as in Germany, Israel, Italy, Russia, singapore, Switzerland, and the United States....
, sculptor (b. 1927) - Toots ThielemansToots ThielemansJean-Baptiste Frédéric Isidor, Baron Thielemans , known as Toots Thielemans, is a Belgian jazz musician well known for his guitar and harmonica playing as well as his whistling. Thielemans is credited as one of the greatest harmonica players of the 20th century...
, jazzJazzJazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musician (b. 1922) - Jacques TitsJacques TitsJacques Tits is a Belgian and French mathematician who works on group theory and geometry and who introduced Tits buildings, the Tits alternative, and the Tits group.- Career :Tits received his doctorate in mathematics at the age of 20...
, mathematicianMathematicianA mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
(b. 1930) - Jaco van DormaelJaco Van DormaelJaco Van Dormael is a Belgian film director, screenwriter and playwright. His complex and critically acclaimed films are especially noted for their respectful and sympathetic portrayal of people with mental and physical disabilities.- Biography :In the 1980s, he became interested in filmmaking and...
, Film Director: "Mr. Nobody," "The Eighth Day" (b. 1957) - Henry van de VeldeHenry van de VeldeHenry Clemens Van de Velde was a Belgian Flemish painter, architect and interior designer. Together with Victor Horta and Paul Hankar he could be considered one of the main founders and representatives of Art Nouveau in Belgium...
, painterPaintingPainting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, architectArchitectAn architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, and interior designer (1863-1957) - Lara FabianLara FabianLara Fabian is a Belgian-Italian international singer who also holds Canadian citizenship. Multilingual, she sings in French, Italian and English....
, singer (b. 1970)