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Binche (French pronunciation: [bɛ̃ʃ] (
listen); Walloon: Bince; Dutch: Bing) is a city and municipality from Wallonia located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium.[2]
Binche
Bince (Walloon) | |
|---|---|
 Binche, the old city and its surrounding wall | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Binche Location in Belgium
Location of Binche in Hainaut  | |
| Coordinates: 50°24′N 04°10′E / 50.400°N 4.167°ECoordinates: 50°24′N 04°10′E / 50.400°N 4.167°E | |
| Country | Belgium |
| Community | French Community |
| Region | Wallonia |
| Province | Hainaut |
| Arrondissement | La Louvière |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Laurent Devin (PS) |
| • Governing party/ies | PS, MR |
| Area | |
| • Total | 60.66 km2 (23.42 sq mi) |
| Population (2018-01-01)[1] | |
| • Total | 33,598 |
| • Density | 550/km2 (1,400/sq mi) |
| Postal codes | 7130, 7131, 7133, 7134 |
| Area codes | 064 |
| Website | www.binche.be |
According to the surveys from 2021, Binche had a total population of 33,416.[3] The total area is 60.70 m2, which gives it a population density of approximately 550 inhabitants per km2.
Since 1977, the municipality consists of the following districts: Binche, Bray, Buvrinnes, Épinois, Leval-Trahegnies, Péronnes-lez-Binche, Ressaix, and Waudrez.
The motto of the city is "Plus Oultre" (meaning "Further beyond" in Old French), which was the motto of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, who in 1545 gave the medieval Castle of Binche to his sister, Queen Mary of Hungary. Her attention was spent on Binche, which she had rebuilt into Binche Palace under the direction of the architect-sculptor Jacques du Broeucq, remembered today as the first master of Giambologna. This château, intended to rival Fontainebleau, was eventually destroyed by the soldiers of Henry II of France in 1554.
In 2003, the Carnival of Binche was proclaimed one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. In addition, the Belfry and City Hall were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Belfries of Belgium and France site, for its importance in civic functions, architecture, and its testimony to the power and influence of the town.[4]
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HistoryEdit
Binche first came into inception during the Middle Ages, near the Roman Road which connected Bagacum, the capital of the Nervii, (now Bavay) to Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, (now Cologne). The road influenced trade and communication throughout Binche.
The city was officially founded in the 12th century by Yolande of Gelders, widow of Duke Baldwin III from Hainaut. Their son Baldwin IV fortified the city, which served as a frontier fortress against France. In the 14th century, the city wall was extended to its present size.
The city reached the peak of its economic power when Belgium was under the Spanish rule. Binche was the residence of Mary of Hungary, governess of the Netherlands for her brother, Emperor Charles V. She had a magnificent palace built, designed by the architect Jacques Du Broeucq and which was to compete with that of Fontainebleau. Charles V visited Binche in 1549 on invitation from his sister. For this occasion, she organized magnificent celebrations.
This period of prosperity came to an end in 1554 as the palace, the city, and the surrounding area were plundered by the troops of King Henry II of France. Until the beginning of the 18th century, Hainaut was the site of repeated military conflicts between the kingdoms of France and Spain.
The Industrial Revolution brought renewed prosperity to the city. There were coal mines, whose slag heaps still shape the landscape today. Adding to this were the brickyards, tanneries, glaziers, breweries, lime kilns, and soap factories. Thousands of people worked at home as top lace makers, cobblers, and tailors. Post offices and train stations were first introduced in the city during this time.
Notable peopleEdit
- Gilles Binchois (c. 1400 – 1460), composer
- Berthe Dubail (1911–1984) painter.
See alsoEdit
- Carnival of Binche, a yearly festival
- La Binchoise, a brewery in Binche
- Fortsas hoax, an incident in Binche in 1840
NotesEdit
- ^ "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ Also spelt Binch in some English sources.
- ^ "Binche (La Louvière, Hainaut, Belgium) – Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
- ^ "Belfries of Belgium and France". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
External linksEdit
Media related to Binche at Wikimedia Commons- Official site of the city of Binche (in French)
- Union binchoise des Étudiants de Louvain
- Patrimoine du musée International
- Rugbyclub de Binche
- La Binchoise, Belgian Brewery, Binche
