The population grew considerably during the next two hundred years and the inhabitants of this small town were a community acknowledged in the 1222 Charter by Duke Henry 1st of Brabant. After having regularly suffered in the religious wars, Wavre also experienced two major periods of destruction, one during the battle of Waterloo in 1815 and in May 1940, when Belgium was invaded by Nazi forces. The town was along a major defensive line, particularly involving armoured vehicles. Luckily, traces of the bombing disappeared a long time ago! Known as ""Cité du Maca"" (the name of a cheeky little monkey), Wavre is now a pleasant town, perfectly aware of its role as a major regional and shopping centre, with a traditional shopping area in the town centre and an industrial zone just off the E411, before you arrive in town. Splendid former neighbouring communes Bierges and Limal have now become natural extensions of Wavre. Finally, we should remind readers that one of the biggest theme parks in Belgium, called Walibi, is on Wavre soil. When the famous kangaroo opened a park in the Dyle plain, the concept was still very new. Briefly re-named Six Flags, Walibi has since re-gained independence, keeping the rides that made it such a hit, including the famous "Tornado". For all lovers of getting wet and giant slides, the Aqualibi water park is the only one of its kind in the region.