{{Infobox settlement |official_name = Broechem |other_name = |motto = |settlement_type = Village |image_skyline = Broechem.OLV-kerk.jpg |image_caption = Church of ''Our Lady'' in Broechem. |image_flag = |image_seal = |image_map = |pushpin_map = Belgium |pushpin_label_position = left |pushpin_map_caption = Location in Belgium |pushpin_mapsize = 250 |subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Communities and regions of Belgium|Region]] |subdivision_type2 = [[Provinces of regions in Belgium|Province]] |subdivision_type3 = [[Municipalities in Belgium|Municipality]] |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name = {{flagcountry|Belgium}} |subdivision_name1 = [[Flemish Region]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Antwerp Province|Antwerp]] |subdivision_name3 = [[Ranst]] |subdivision_name4 = |established_title = |established_date = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |area_footnotes = <ref name="stat"/> |area_magnitude = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_total_km2 = 11.77 |area_land_sq_mi = |area_land_km2 = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_urban_km2 = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |population_as_of = 2021 |population_footnotes = <ref name="stat">{{cite web|url=https://statbel.fgov.be/sites/default/files/files/opendata/bevolking/sectoren/OPENDATA_SECTOREN_2021.xlsx |title=Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 11035C |website=Statistics Belgium |access-date=9 May 2022 }}</ref> |population_total = 4,142 |population_density_km2 = auto |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |timezone = [[Central European Time|CET]] |utc_offset = |coordinates = {{coord|51.18122|4.60186|display=title, inline}} |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_ft = |elevation_m = |website = |footnotes = }} '''Broechem''' is a part of the municipality of [[Ranst]] in [[Antwerp (province)|Antwerp]] Province, [[Flemish Region]], [[Belgium]]. The village is located on the highest point of the region.<ref name="erfgoed">{{cite web|url=https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/themas/13695 |title=Broechem |website=Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed|access-date=29 October 2020|language=nl}}</ref>
==Toponymy== The town's name is derived from the Old Dutch "broek" (wetland) and "heem" (house, building). The compound name "Broekhem" then transposed into "Broechem", the name it bears today.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.volkoomen.nl/Plaatsnamen%20en%20hun%20betekenis.htm |title=Plaatsnamen en hun betekenis. |website=Volkoomen|access-date=9 August 2021|language=nl}}</ref>
==History== The village was first mentioned as Polypticon in 868 or 869. The village was part of the abbey of Tongerlo. In 1542, the village was plundered and set on fire by the troops of [[Maarten van Rossum]]. Between 1909 and 1912, the Fortress of Broechem was constructed, and was the scene of heavy fighting in the [[Siege of Antwerp (1914)|Siege of Antwerp]] during [[World War I]].<ref name="erfgoed"/>
Broechem was an agricultural village with many orchards.<ref name="erfgoed"/> In 1977, the municipality was merged into Ranst.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/themas/13347 |title=Ranst|website=Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed |access-date=29 October 2020|language=nl}}</ref>
==Attractions== [[File:Slot Bossenstein R01.jpg|thumb|left|Bossenstein Castle]] The oldest part of the [[Bossenstein Castle]] is the [[keep]] which dates from the 14th century. The castle used to be owned by the Van Berchem family. In 1655, the castle was extended. In 1906, the Bossenstein Castle was extensively restored. Nowadays it is owned by a golf and polo club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spottinghistory.com/view/5465/bossenstein-castle/ |title=Bossenstein Castle |website=Spotting History|access-date=29 October 2020}}</ref>
==Notable people== * [[Jürgen Cavens]] (1978), football player.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/jurgen-cavens/13264/ |title=J. Cavens|website=Soccerway|access-date=29 October 2020}}</ref> * [[Tuur Dierckx]] (1995), football player.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/tuur-dierckx/215350/ |title=T. Dierckx |website=Soccerway|access-date=29 October 2020}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{commons category-inline}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Populated places in Antwerp Province]] [[Category:Ranst]]
{{Antwerp-geo-stub}}