Andenne (; wa, Andene) is a city and

municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality ...

of Wallonia located in the province of Namur,

Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to ...

. On January 1, 2006, Andenne had a total population of 25,240. The total area is 86.17 km² which gives a

population density Population density (in agriculture: Stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical ...

of 292 inhabitants per km². The municipality, and the central city, extend on both sides of the river

Meuse The Meuse ( , , , ; wa, Moûze ) or Maas ( , ; li, Maos or ) is a major European river, rising in France and flowing through Belgium and the Netherlands before draining into the North Sea from the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta. It has a ...

. The municipality consists of the following districts: Andenne, Bonneville, Coutisse, Landenne, Maizeret, Namêche, Sclayn, Seilles, Thon-Samson, and Vezin.

History

The city is symbolized by a bear, originating from the legend that saw

Charles Martel Charles Martel ( – 22 October 741) was a Frankish political and military leader who, as Duke and Prince of the Franks and Mayor of the Palace, was the de facto ruler of Francia from 718 until his death. He was a son of the Frankish state ...

, while still a child, use a hammer to kill a bear that terrorized the inhabitants. Andenne is the location of the

Château du Moisnil The Château du Moisnil is a château or manor house of Wallonia, located in the village of Maizeret, municipality of Andenne, province of Namur, Belgium. The Château today The only remaining wing was built in addition to the previous con ...

. Andenne is associated with the Rape of Belgium in 1914, during which between 211 and 225 townspeople were

massacre A massacre is the killing of a large number of people or animals, especially those who are not involved in any fighting or have no way of defending themselves. A massacre is generally considered to be morally unacceptable, especially when per ...

d. German troops entered the area on August 18, 1914 but discovered all the bridges into town had been blown to deny them crossing. Construction of a pontoon bridge commenced, and the next day the Germans entered. At first no serious conflicts arose; apart from some German soldiers looting shops, mainly taverns and inns. Civilians were frightened and hid. When the main army arrived the civilians began panicking causing them to be rounded up and forced out into the streets. From there they were taken to the main square, where they were berated for what Belgian soldiers and civilians had done to the German's "brothers". As revenge all were shot, or killed with axes. One German soldier’s diary was discovered near Andenne, stating: "19th August, Our cavalry patrols, we hear, are being shot at in the villages again and again. Several poor fellows have already lost their lives. Disgraceful! An honest bullet in honest battle – yes, then one has shed one’s blood for the Fatherland. But to be shot from an ambush, from the window of a house, the gun barrel hidden behind flowerpots, no, that is not a nice, soldierly death."

Notable individuals

* Saint Begga, daughter of Pepin of Landen and mother of

Pepin of Heristal Pepin II (c. 635 – 16 December 714), commonly known as Pepin of Herstal, was a Frankish statesman and military leader who de facto ruled Francia as the Mayor of the Palace from 680 until his death. He took the title Duke and Prince of the Fr ...

, founded a convent in Andenne of which she was the first abbess. She is buried in Saint Begga's Collegiate Church in Andenne. * Cécile de France, actress *

Carl Johan Frederik Jakhelln Carl Johan Frederik Jakhelln (27 August 1914 – 25 April 1987) was a Norwegian diplomat and writer. He was born in Andenne, Belgium, as the son of jurist and diplomatist Johan Fredrik Winter Jakhelln. The family lived in five countries when ...

, Norwegian diplomat and writer * Fats Sadi, jazz musician

Gallery

File:Andenne JPG10.jpg, The Meuse river. File:Hotel de Ville Andenne.JPG, The City Hall File:Andenne JPG03.jpg, Place des Tilleuls - The kiosk (1879) File:Collégiale Sainte-Begge d'Andenne 3.jpg, St. Begge Collegiate File:Andenne JPG0H1.jpg, The St. Begge fountain File:Andenne JPG07.jpg, Office du Tourisme - "Art Nouveau" house (1907) File:Andenne JPG04.jpg, St. Begge house (1623) File:Andenne JPG06.jpg, Classical house called "Maison de Chanoinesses" File:Château du Moisnil.png, Ancienne gravure du

à Andenne.

References

External links

Information and pictures about Andenne (English pages)
Cities in Wallonia Municipalities of Namur (province) {{Namur-geo-stub

History

Notable individuals

Gallery

See also

References

External links