Charleroi

Charleroi was originally named Charnoy and was first mentioned in a 9th-century offering in the Lobbes abbey.

The city was renamed Charle-roi in 1666 in honor of Charles II of Spain, who was only five years old at the time.

Charleroi is known as the Pays Noir, or 'Black Country', due to its historical association with coal mining and heavy industry.

The Musée de la photographie in Charleroi, opened in 1987, is the largest photography museum in Europe.

The city is home to Spirou Charleroi, an eight-time winner in the Basketball League Belgium.