Borgerhout


Borgerhout is the smallest district of Antwerp, Belgium., the district housed 47,188 inhabitants on 3.93 km².
It was a separate municipality until 1983. On 1 January 1983, it was absorbed into the municipality of Greater Antwerp whereby Borgerhout became one of the 9 districts.
In 2025 Time Out named it the "second coolest neighborhood in the world".
WWW Official Site

Etymology

"Borger" likely comes from the old spelling for citizen or city dweller; currently, the Dutch word for this is "burger". It might also refer to the word "borgh", meaning a fortress or fortified building. Borghmeester or borgermeyster are mentioned in written sources as the word for "mayor", literally "master of the fortress" or "master of the citizens". "Hout" means "wood". It is similar to some naming conventions in English, for example "Hollywood". It refers to a time when Borgerhout was still much greener, and had not yet merged with greater Antwerp. It likely also explains the tree on the coat of arms.

History

Borgerhout was first mentioned in the year 1214 in an act written by the Duke of Brabant. It was then named 'Borgerholt'.

Geography

Borgerhout is divided into two parts by a highway and the historical walls. The part inside those walls is "intra muros," meaning. It is built around a big boulevard, the Turnhoutsebaan.

Demographics

Borgerhout has an extremely diverse population, with 63% of inhabitants having non-Belgian ancestry, mostly Moroccans and sub-Saharan Africans. Of the nine districts of Antwerp, it has the highest population density.

Notable people

Born in Borgerhout

Lived in Borgerhout