When the fortress of
Mariembourg fell to the French in 1554, Emporer Charles V was forced to counter by building the fortress of Phillipeville, 12 km to the north. Phillipeville, too, was eventually overrun by the French military, but not until a century later, in 1659. The French destroyed most of the town's fortifications, but there are still some underground installations, now a museum.
The commune of Philippeville has 8,000 residents, and is located 20 kilometers south-southeast of Charleroi.
Fagnolles, Franchimont, Jamagne, Jamiolle, Merlemont, Neuville, Omezee, Roly, Romedenne, Samart, Sart-En-Fagne, Sautour, Surice, Villers-en-Fagne, Villers-le-Gambon, and Vodecee are boroughs within the municipal district of Philippeville.
