Editing Wemmel

{{Infobox Belgium municipality
|name             = Wemmel
|picture          = WemmelTownHall.jpg
|picture-legend   = [[Wemmel Castle]], former residence of the [[Marquess of Wemmel]], now Town Hall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be/bezoeken/bezienswaardigheden/kasteel-van-wemmel/index.jsp |title=Toerisme Vlaams-Brabant - Kasteel van Wemmel |access-date=2010-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018071300/http://www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be/bezoeken/bezienswaardigheden/kasteel-van-wemmel/index.jsp |archive-date=2010-10-18 }}</ref>
|map              = Wemmel Flemish-Brabant Belgium Map.svg
|map-legend       = Location of Wemmel in Flemish Brabant
|arms             = Blason Wemmel.svg
|flag             = Wemmel vlag.svg
|arrondissement   = [[Halle-Vilvoorde administrative Arrondissement|Halle-Vilvoorde]]
|nis              = 23102
|pyramid-date=
|0-19=
|20-64=
|65=
|foreigners=
|foreigners-date=
|mayor            = Walter Vansteenkiste (LB Wemmel)
|majority         = LB Wemmel, Wemmel Plus !
|postal-codes     = 1780
|telephone-area   = 02
|web              = [http://www.wemmel.be/ www.wemmel.be]
|coordinates      = {{coord|50|54|28|N|4|18|24|E|region:BE|display=inline,title}}
}}

'''Wemmel''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈʋɛməl|-|Nl-Wemmel.ogg}}; {{IPA|fr|wɛmɛl|-|Wemmel-FR.wav}}) is a [[Municipalities of Belgium|municipality]] in the [[Provinces of Belgium|province]] of [[Flemish Brabant]], in the [[Flemish region]] of [[Belgium]]. The municipality only comprises the town of Wemmel proper. On January 1, 2018, Wemmel had a total population of 16,347. The total area is {{convert|8.74|km2|2|abbr=on}}, which gives a [[population density]] of {{convert|1870|PD/km2|abbr=on}}.

The official language of Wemmel is [[Dutch language|Dutch]], as in the rest of [[Flanders]]. In 1954, however, special [[Municipalities with linguistic facilities|linguistic ''facilities'']] were given to local French-speakers. Although outside the [[Brussels-Capital Region]], Wemmel is sometimes considered part of the suburbs of [[Brussels]] – it directly borders the city municipality of [[Jette]] and the neighbourhood of [[Laeken]], and  was a component of the short-lived [[Arrondissement of Brussels-Periphery]]. The [[Brussels Ring|Brussels orbital motorway]], known as the ''ring'', cuts through the southern part of the town.

==History==
The centre of Wemmel initially developed around the Sint-Servaaskerk ({{langx|nl|Church of [[Saint Servatius]]}}), because the ground there was best suited for building. Around the year 370, [[Franks|Frankish]] invaders drove out the ruling [[Ancient Rome|Romans]], who had settled the area around the 2nd century AD. Wemmel eventually became part of the [[Duchy of Brabant]].<ref name=whist/>

One of the first lords of Wemmel of which there is a historical record was marshal Goswinus van Wembelne, who lived at the beginning of the 12th century. His descendants would be the lords of Wemmel until the end of the 12th century, when Isabella van Wembelne married Aernout II of [[Kraainem]], and Wemmel became part of the already considerable possessions of [[Kraainem]]. Many notable men would come from this noble family, including Aernout III, who would die fighting on the French king's side at the [[Battle of the Golden Spurs]]. His son Leo was a skillful diplomat, who would sign the 1366 treaty that resolved a dispute between the [[County of Flanders]] and the [[Duchy of Brabant]] over the [[Lordship of Mechelen]].<ref name=whist/>

In 1838 all family belongings in Wemmel were sold to count Willem Bernard de [[House of Limburg-Stirum|Limburg-Stirum]], who had become the mayor. Two of his daughters inhabited the castle until 1926. Their heirs then donated the castle to the municipality, since then it has served as the town hall. The castle was entirely renovated in 1992–1993.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Wemmel, een dorp tussen grootstad en platteland|last=Andries|first=Christian|publisher=Nieuwkerken-Waas : Het Streekboek}}</ref>

== Marquess of Wemmel ==
Leo's granddaughter married Gyselbrecht Taye, the lord of [[Elewijt]], and Wemmel once again came under a different lord, this time belonging to the well known [[Seven noble houses of Brussels|Coudenbergh family]] from [[Brussels]]. This family would govern the [[heerlijkheid]] as it was raised in status first to a [[feudal barony|barony]] and later to a [[margravate]], only losing power in 1792 as France invaded the [[Low Countries]] as part of the [[French Revolutionary Wars]].<ref name=whist/>

Through the marriage between [[Marie Josepha Taye]] 6th [[Marquess of Assche]], 3rd [[Marquess of Wemmel]] and count [[Jan-Antoon Van der Noot]], the House of vander Noot inherited all the power and castles. Members of his family would play an important role in the [[Brabantian Revolution]].<ref name=whist/>

In 1838, all the ruling family's possessions in Wemmel were sold to William Bernard of [[House of Limburg-Stirum|Limburg-Stirum]], who then became mayor. Two of his daughters would continue to live in Wemmel Castle at the centre of the town until 1926. Their heirs donated the chateau to the municipality, and it has served as the municipality's town hall ever since.<ref name=whist>{{cite web|url=http://www.wemmel.be/HISTORIQUE/2218/default.aspx?_vs=0_N&id=126&lg=nl&bs=0|title=Wemmel in de Geschiedens|publisher=Municipality of Wemmel|date=July 24, 2002|access-date=February 9, 2011|language=nl}}</ref>

==Language situation==
The official language is [[Dutch language|Dutch]], as everywhere in [[Flanders]]. In 1954, however, special [[Municipalities with linguistic facilities|linguistic ''facilities'']] were given to local French-speakers (according to an official census, they were more than 30% in 1947). They can request official documents from the local administration in French. Since Wemmel is part of the bilingual judicial and electoral district of [[Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde]], French can be used before the courts. Some primary and maternity schools also teach in French.

==Sights==
<gallery>
File:Wemmel.JPG|Aerial view
File:Wemmel E1a JPG.jpg|Sint-Servaas Church
File:StServaasWemmel.jpg|The interior of the church
File:Wemmel CH1bJPG.jpg|Wemmel Castle and park, today town hall
</gallery>

== See also ==
*[[Municipalities with linguistic facilities]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.wemmel.be/ Official website] — Information available in [[Dutch language|Dutch]] and [[French language|French]]

{{Geographic location
|Centre = Wemmel
|N  = [[Meise]]
|E  = [[Grimbergen]]
|SE = [[City of Brussels|Brussels]] ([[Brussels-Capital Region|BRU]])
|S  = [[Jette]] ([[Brussels-Capital Region|BRU]])
|SW = [[Asse]]
|NW = [[Merchtem]]
}}
{{Municipalities in Flemish Brabant}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Municipalities of Flemish Brabant]]