Binche

"Binch" redirects here. For people with the surname, seeBinch (surname).

Binche Bince(Walloon)
Cityandmunicipality
Binche, the old city and its surrounding wall
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Binche
Binche Location in Belgium Location of Binche in Hainaut
Coordinates:50°24′N04°10′E
Country	Belgium
Community	French Community
Region	Wallonia
Province	Hainaut
Arrondissement	La Louvière
Government
• Mayor	Laurent Devin (PS)
• Governing party/ies	PS,MR
Area
• Total	61.22 km2(23.64 sq mi)
Population (2018-01-01)
• Total	33,598
• Density	550/km2(1,400/sq mi)
Postal codes	7130, 7131, 7133, 7134
NIS code	58002
Area codes	064
Website	binche.be

Binche(French pronunciation:[bɛ̃ʃ];Walloon:Bince;Dutch:Bing) is acityandmunicipalityofWallonia,in theprovince of Hainaut,Belgium.Since 1977, the municipality consists of Binche,Bray,Buvrinnes, Épinois, Leval-Trahegnies,Péronnes-lez-Binche,Ressaix, and Waudrez districts.

According to the surveys from 2021, Binche had a total population of 33,416,approximately 550 inhabitants per km².

The motto of the city is "Plus Oultre"(meaning" Further beyond "in Old French), which was the motto ofHoly Roman EmperorCharles V,who in 1545 gave the medieval Castle of Binche to his sister,Queen Mary of Hungary.Her attention was spent on Binche, which she had rebuilt intoBinche Palaceunder the direction of the architect-sculptorJacques du Broeucq,remembered today as the first master ofGiambologna.This château, intended to rivalFontainebleau,was eventually destroyed by the soldiers ofHenry II of Francein 1554.

In 2003, theCarnival of Binchewas proclaimed one of theMasterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of HumanitybyUNESCO.In addition, theBelfryand City Hall were inscribed on theUNESCOWorld Heritage Listas part of theBelfries of Belgium and Francesite, for its importance in civic functions, architecture, and its testimony to the power and influence of the town.

History

The remaining walls of the medieval castle of Binche

Binche came into being during theMiddle Ages,near theRoman roadthat connectedBagacum,the capital of theNervii,(nowBavay) toColonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium,(nowCologne). The road influenced trade and communication throughout Binche.

The city was officially founded in the 12th century by Yolande of Gelders, widow of DukeBaldwin IIIfromHainaut.Their sonBaldwin IVfortified the city, which served as a frontier fortress against France. In the 14th century, the city wall was extended to its present size.

The city reached the peak of its economic power whenBelgiumwas underSpanish rule.Binche was the residence of Mary of Hungary, governess of the Netherlands for her brother,Emperor Charles V.She had a magnificentpalacebuilt, designed byJacques Du Broeucq,to compete with that ofFontainebleau.Charles V visited Binche in 1549 on invitation from his sister. For this occasion, she organized magnificent celebrations.

This period of prosperity came to an end in 1554 as the palace, the city, and the surrounding area were plundered by the troops ofKing Henry II of France.Until the beginning of the 18th century,Hainautwas the site of repeated military conflicts between the kingdoms of France and Spain.

TheIndustrial Revolutionbrought renewed prosperity. Coal mines' slag heaps still shape the landscape. Adding to this were thebrickyards,tanneries,glaziers,breweries,lime kilns,and soap factories. Thousands of people worked at home as lace makers, cobblers, and tailors. Post offices and train stations were introduced in the city during this time.

Carnival

Main articles:Carnival of BincheandGilles

The three-dayCarnival of Bincheis one of the best known in Belgium. It takes place aroundShrove Tuesday(orMardi Gras) just beforeLent(the 40 days betweenAsh WednesdayandEaster). Performers known asGilleswear elaborate costumes in thenational coloursof red, black and yellow. During the parade, they throworangesat the crowd. In 2003, it was recognized byUNESCOas one of theMasterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

• 
  TheGilles,clad in their costumes and wax masks, wielding sticks used to ward off spirits
• 
  The Gilles wearing their hat with ostrich feathers onShrove Tuesday

Sport

Each year the town hosts the single dayBinche-Chimay-Bincheprofessional cycling race, which is rated as a 1.1 event on theUCI Europe Tour.

Transportation

Binche railway station has been the terminus for passenger services on line 108 (Erquelinnes - Mariemont) since 1984. The island platform is out of use.

The large gothic style station building was designed by Leuven architect Pierre Langerock. It has coloured stained glass windows and is a protected monument. There are some inscriptions remaining from the German occupation.

To the front of the station is a square half-encircled by a balustrade. Sculpted in the Neo-classical style from blue stone, it incorporates statues commemorating illustrious figures from Binche’s past, including Charles V, Margaret of York and Mary of Hungary. A monument dedicated to independence was added in 1931. The area has been a heritage quarter since 1978.

Notable people

• Gilles Binchois(c. 1400– 1460), composer
• Berthe Dubail(1911–1984), painter.

See also

• Carnival of Binche,a yearly festival
• La Binchoise,a brewery in Binche
• Fortsas hoax,an incident in Binche in 1840

External links

• Media related toBincheat Wikimedia Commons
• Official site of the city of Binche(in French)
• Union binchoise des Étudiants de Louvain
• Patrimoine du musée International
• Rugbyclub de Binche
• La Binchoise, Belgian Brewery, Binche