1080 Molenbeek-Saint-Jean

Molenbeek-Saint-Jean lies to the west of the city of Brussels, on the other side of the canal linking the capital to Antwerp on the one hand (16th century) and to Charleroi on the other (19th century). The municipality is densely populated. 

Originally, "Meulebeek" developed around a river of the same name and the mills (pre-industrial activities) on its territory. Administratively linked to the "Cuve de Bruxelles" (Brussels basin) as early as 1295, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean remained a small village close to Brussels city. In the 19th century, the municipality took part in the industrial development of Belgium by welcoming numerous industries. In parallel, the entity attracted a working-class population which has since been replaced by a successive wave of new inhabitants.