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OVERVIEW
Charleroi was founded in 1666. The Spanish who ruled the Low Countries in the 17th century built a fortification close to the village of Charnoy to keep the troops of the French king Louis XIV out of the Spanish possessions. It received the name CHARLE-ROY (after the Spanish king Charles II). However, in 1667-1678 the city was taken and expanded by the French.
In the 19th century, Charleroi was turned into the heart of the pays noir (the black country), the country of the coal-mines. This area became (together with Liege) the center of the rapidly industrialized Belgium. The city expanded and new boroughs were founded. The coal miners settled in the nearby villages, which until today, have preserved a relative autonomy and independence from the big city.
The city is divided in two areas: the upper and the lower. In the upper part it is situated the oldest center, around the Place Charles II (Charles II square). The town hall built in 1936 by Joseph Andre in neo-classicist style has Art Deco decorations on the inside. The town hall houses two museums: the Musee des Beaux Arts (with 19th and 20th century paintings) and the Jules Destree museum. The main church around the square is the Saint-Christopher Basilica, built in Baroque style at the end of the 17th century; however, the dome of the Basilica and the mosaics in the choir date from 1956. In the Place du Manege visitors can find the Palais des Beaux Arts (Palace of Fine Arts), a concert and theater hall. In the Musee du Verre (Glass museum) you can learn all about the glass industry which was once so important in Charleroi.
The lower part is situated around Place Albert I (Albert I square). Most of the commercial and financial companies are located here. The annual Mardi Gras also takes place in this part of the city. The boulevard Joseph Triou is situated on the old bedding of the Sambre river which flows through Charleroi. Two sculptures decorate the pedestrian bridge leading to the Charleroi-Sud train station. They were made by one of the most famous 19th century Belgian sculptors: Constantin Meunier.
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