Andenne

For the asteroid, see 2788 Andenne.

Andenne Andene (Walloon)
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Andenne in Namur Province
Interactive map of Andenne
Andenne Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 50°29′N 05°06′E
Country	Belgium
Community	French Community
Region	Wallonia
Province	Namur
Arrondissement	Namur
Government
• Mayor	Vincent Sampaoli (PS, PSD@)
• Governing party	PSD@
Area
• Total	86.11 km2 (33.25 sq mi)
Population  (2020-01-01)
• Total	27,573
• Density	320.2/km2 (829.3/sq mi)
Postal codes	5300
NIS code	92003
Area codes	085 and 081
Website	www.andenne.be

Andenne (French pronunciation: [ɑ̃.dɛn] ^ⓘ; Walloon: Andene) is a city and municipality of Wallonia located in the province of Namur, Belgium.

On January 1, 2006, Andenne had a total population of 25,240. The total area is 86.17 km² which gives a population density of 292 inhabitants per km². The municipality, and the central city, extend on both sides of the river Meuse.

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

History

Evidence of ancient Neanderthal occupation has been discovered at the Scladina cave site in the village of Sclayn. The region of Adenne was already settled in Roman times, but the town's significant growth began around 692 with the foundation of the monastery by Saint Begga, the daughter of Pepin of Landen. Following a trip to Rome, the Pope encouraged her to establish a sanctuary. According to local legend, God indicated the exact location of the monestary to Begga using a sow with seven piglets and a hen of seven chicks. This signified that the abbey should have seven chapels, giving rise to the name Andanna ad septem ecclias (adenne with the seven churches). However, the origin of these seven parishes was more likely inspired by the traditional pilgrimage to the seven basilicas of Rome.

The original seven churches were destroyed in the 18th centry. Between 1764 and 1778 their stones were reused to build the neoclassical Collegiate Church of Saint Begga, designed by Laurent-Benoît Dewez. Today, the church houses a museum featuring a rich collection of religious artifacts, including the Renaissance shrine of Saint Begga.

Saint Begga's grandson, The Frankish ruler Charles Martel is traditionally said to be a native of Andenne. The city is symbolized by a bear, which originates from a local legend stating that a young Charles Martel killed a bear that was terrorizing the region with his bare hands.

Because Andenne was strategically located near the border of County of Namur and the Principality of Liege, the town suffered frequent attacks and destruction. It was looted and burned down by Norse man in 883, and suffered repeated burnings and plundering by forces from Namur and Liège between the 11th and 15th centuries. Andenne was also involved in the 13th-century Cow's War.

Despite these conflicts, Adenne developed a strong industrial reputation. In the Middel Ages, the town was known across Europe for its pottery and terracotta tiles, which were produced using a local highly plastic white clay known as blanche derle. By the late 18th century, the town expanded into clay pipe production and refined earthenware, eventually producing porcelain of international repute in the 19th century. Today, a Ceramics Museum in the town highlights this historically flourishing industry.

Adenne was also the location of the Château du Moisnil. Andenne is also associated with the Rape of Belgium during World War I. On August 19, 1914, German troops entered the area, and on the evening of August 20, claiming they had been attacked, they began a massacre that killed 225 men, woman and children.

Notable individuals

• Saint Begga (613–693), daughter of Pepin of Landen and mother of Pepin of Herstal. She founded a convent in Andenne of which she was the first abbess. She is buried in the Collegiate Church of Saint Begga in Andenne.
• Gertrude of Nivelles, (ca.628–659), abbess, who, with her mother Itta, founded the Nivelles Abbey; younger sister of St. Begga.
• Carl Johan Frederik Jakhelln (1914–1987), Norwegian diplomat and writer
• Fats Sadi (1927–2009, Huy), jazz musician
• Roger Laboureur (1935–2025), sports journalist
• Cécile de France (born 1975), actress

Gallery

• 
  The Meuse River
• 
  The City Hall
• 
  Place des Tilleuls – The kiosk (1879)
• 
  Collegiate Church of Saint Begga
• 
  The St. Begge fountain
• 
  Office du Tourisme – "Art Nouveau" house (1907)
• 
  St. Begge house (1623)
• 
  Classical house called "Maison de Chanoinesses"
• 
  Old engraving of the Château du Moisnil in Andenne

See also

• List of protected heritage sites in Andenne
• Maizeret
• Château du Moisnil

External links

• Information and pictures about Andenne (English pages)

{{Geographic location<! --- abbreviations per ISO 3166-2:BE ---> |Centre = Andenne |N = Héron (WLG) |NE = Wanze (WLG) |E = Huy (WLG) |SE = Ohey |S = Gesves |SW = |W = Namur |NW = Fernelmont }}