📖 About Charleroi

Charleroi is the largest city in Wallonia and the fifth-largest urban area in Belgium. During the Industrial Revolution, it became a major center for glass, metallurgy, and coal, second only to Brussels in wealth.

The city shares the title of "capital of Belgian comics" with Brussels. Dupuis Publishing, home to Spirou, Marsupilami, and Lucky Luke, is based here.

Today, Charleroi is reinventing itself with extensive restoration projects, a thriving arts scene, and Europe's largest commercial success story: Brussels South Charleroi Airport with 8.3 million passengers in 2023.

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💼 Economy & Culture

The economy has diversified into aerospace with companies like SABCA and Sonaca. Industeel (Arcelor-Mittal subsidiary) and AGC Automotive maintain the industrial tradition.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport is Belgium's second-largest for passenger transport, growing from 210,000 passengers in 1998 to 8.3 million in 2023.

The Marcinelle School of comics gave birth to iconic characters including Spirou & Fantasio, Boule & Bill, and contributed to Belgium's rich comic book heritage.

📜 History

Charleroi was founded in 1666 and named after Spanish King Charles II. The city developed during the Industrial Revolution as a major center for coal mining, steel, and glass production.

The Bois du Cazier mining disaster on August 8, 1956, killed 262 miners and remains a pivotal moment in Belgian labor history. The site is now a UNESCO World Heritage memorial.

Since the decline of heavy industries after WWII, Charleroi has worked to diversify its economy while preserving its industrial heritage through museums and cultural institutions.