Molenbeek-Saint-Jean (French, pronounced [molənˈbek ˈsɛ̃ ʒɑ̃]) or Sint-Jans-Molenbeek (Dutch, pronounced [sɪncˈjɑnsˈmoːlə(n)ˌbeːk] ( listen)) is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium.
The name Molenbeek comes from two Dutch words meaning “mills” and “stream”. Although first applied to the brook that ran through the village, the name eventually came to be used to designate the village itself around t...
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Molenbeek-Saint-Jean (French, pronounced [molənˈbek ˈsɛ̃ ʒɑ̃]) or Sint-Jans-Molenbeek (Dutch, pronounced [sɪncˈjɑnsˈmoːlə(n)ˌbeːk] ( listen)) is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium.
The name Molenbeek comes from two Dutch words meaning “mills” and “stream”. Although first applied to the brook that ran through the village, the name eventually came to be used to designate the village itself around the year 985. In the early Middle Ages, Molenbeek was known for its miraculous well of Saint Gertrude, which attracted thousands of pilgrims.
The village was made part of Brussels in the 13th century. As a result, Molenbeek lost many of its lands to its more powerful neighbour. In addition, its main church was dismantled in 1578, leading to further decline. The town’s character remained mostly rural until the 18th century.
At the end of the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution and the building of the Brussels-Charleroi Canal brought...
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