Puurs
Encyclopedia
Puurs (ˈpyrs) is a municipality
located in the Belgian
province of Antwerp
. It is located in the Flemish Region
. The municipality comprises the towns of Breendonk
, Liezele, Kalfort, Ruisbroek
(old spelling: Ruysbroeck) and Puurs proper. On January 1, 2006 Puurs had a total population of 16,029. The total area is 33.41 km² (13 sq mi) which gives a population density
of 480 inhabitants per km².
Puurs sits about 5 meters above main sea level. Its geography shows only minor elevation differences (so it's basically flat).
Puurs is mainly rural, with some low intensity industry development in the North alongside the N16 motorway. However, because of its proximity to the cities of Antwerp and Brussels (both within a 25 km radius) and its excellent accessibility, Puurs is developing increasingly into a residential town.
, as well as early Roman and Merovingian times, have been found in Puurs.
Arguably, the Benedictine
abbeys of Saint-Cornelimunster of Aachen were the lords of Puurs in the 10th century A.D. In 1278 the municipality was acquired by the Abbey of Sint-Bernard's upon Scheldt
, whose property it would remain until the end of the 18th century.
, and at the beginning of summer a festival is held in honour of this "white gold".
beer is brewed in Breendonk
, by the Duvel-Moortgat brewery. Each year in August, a 100 km long foot march called the Dodentocht
(Death March) passes at the breweries, and participants and spectators can enjoy Duvel beer for free.
was used by the Nazis as a political prison camp. It is kept in its WWII state and is open for visiting. Fort Breendonk and its twin sister Fort Liezele (which now serves as a municipal recreational area) were initially built by the Belgian military just before WWI, as part of a string of fortresses (the Réduit national
) designed to protect the approaches to Antwerp. Since 1976, the site of the fort has been part of the municipality of Willebroek
.
is a heritage railroad
that links up Puurs and Dendermonde
. The maintenance road that runs alongside serves as a bicycle track. Bikers can leave the track in Sint-Amands
and follow the scenic route up North on the banks of the river Scheldt
.
Municipalities of Belgium
Belgium comprises 589 municipalities grouped into five provinces in each of two regions and into a third region, the Brussels-Capital Region, comprising 19 municipalities that do not belong to a province...
located in the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
province of Antwerp
Antwerp (province)
Antwerp is the northernmost province both of the Flemish Region, also called Flanders, and of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and the Belgian provinces of Limburg, Flemish Brabant and East Flanders. Its capital is Antwerp which comprises the Port of Antwerp...
. It is located in the Flemish Region
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
. The municipality comprises the towns of Breendonk
Breendonk
Breendonk is a small town in Belgium, population 3,000, halfway between Brussels and Antwerp.Its name stems from the medieval Bredene Dunc which translates as "wide mound" or "a dry spot in the marshes."...
, Liezele, Kalfort, Ruisbroek
Ruisbroek
Ruisbroek is a village in the municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. Previously a separate municipality, it became a deelgemeente of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw in 1977...
(old spelling: Ruysbroeck) and Puurs proper. On January 1, 2006 Puurs had a total population of 16,029. The total area is 33.41 km² (13 sq mi) which gives a population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 480 inhabitants per km².
Puurs sits about 5 meters above main sea level. Its geography shows only minor elevation differences (so it's basically flat).
Puurs is mainly rural, with some low intensity industry development in the North alongside the N16 motorway. However, because of its proximity to the cities of Antwerp and Brussels (both within a 25 km radius) and its excellent accessibility, Puurs is developing increasingly into a residential town.
History
Signs of habitation dating back to the Iron AgeIron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
, as well as early Roman and Merovingian times, have been found in Puurs.
Arguably, the Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
abbeys of Saint-Cornelimunster of Aachen were the lords of Puurs in the 10th century A.D. In 1278 the municipality was acquired by the Abbey of Sint-Bernard's upon Scheldt
Scheldt
The Scheldt is a 350 km long river in northern France, western Belgium and the southwestern part of the Netherlands...
, whose property it would remain until the end of the 18th century.
Saint-Peter Church
Puurs' Saint-Peter Church is quite large and is hence sometimes referred to as the region's "cathedral". It was built in the 15th century, on the remains of a roman-style church. The baroque-style bell tower was added in the late 17th century. The classical center piece was completed in 1744.Asparagus
The lands of Kalfort are widely renowned for producing the most delicious asparagusAsparagus
Asparagus officinalis is a spring vegetable, a flowering perennialplant species in the genus Asparagus. It was once classified in the lily family, like its Allium cousins, onions and garlic, but the Liliaceae have been split and the onion-like plants are now in the family Amaryllidaceae and...
, and at the beginning of summer a festival is held in honour of this "white gold".
Beer
The internationally sold DuvelBrouwerij Duvel Moortgat
Duvel Moortgat Brewery is a Flemish family-controlled brewery founded in 1871. Its strong golden pale ale, Duvel, is the company's best known product which is exported to more than 40 countries...
beer is brewed in Breendonk
Breendonk
Breendonk is a small town in Belgium, population 3,000, halfway between Brussels and Antwerp.Its name stems from the medieval Bredene Dunc which translates as "wide mound" or "a dry spot in the marshes."...
, by the Duvel-Moortgat brewery. Each year in August, a 100 km long foot march called the Dodentocht
Dodentocht
The Dodentocht is a long-distance march of 100 kilometers organized annually in Bornem, Belgium, since 1970. The grueling march is worthy of its name due to the length of the march and the rough and forested terrain...
(Death March) passes at the breweries, and participants and spectators can enjoy Duvel beer for free.
Nazi Prison Camp
Fort BreendonkFort Breendonk
Fort Breendonk is a fortification built in 1906 as part of the second ring of defences around the city of Antwerp . Originally one in a chain of fortresses constructed to defend Belgium against a German attack, Breendonk was near the town of the same name, about 12 miles southwest of Antwerp...
was used by the Nazis as a political prison camp. It is kept in its WWII state and is open for visiting. Fort Breendonk and its twin sister Fort Liezele (which now serves as a municipal recreational area) were initially built by the Belgian military just before WWI, as part of a string of fortresses (the Réduit national
Réduit national
Fortress Antwerp was a defensive belt of fortifications built in two rings to defend Antwerp. Antwerp was designated to be a national reduit in case Belgium was attacked. It was built in the period 1859–1914...
) designed to protect the approaches to Antwerp. Since 1976, the site of the fort has been part of the municipality of Willebroek
Willebroek
Willebroek is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the towns of Blaasveld, Heindonk, Tisselt, Klein Willebroek and Willebroek proper. On January 1, 2006 Willebroek had a total population of 23,044...
.
Railroad
The Dendermonde-Puurs Steam RailwayDendermonde-Puurs Steam Railway
The Dendermonde–Puurs Steam Railway is a heritage railway situated in the Belgian provinces of East Flanders and Antwerp ....
is a heritage railroad
Heritage railway
thumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
that links up Puurs and Dendermonde
Dendermonde
Dendermonde is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the city of Dendermonde proper and the towns of Appels, Baasrode, Grembergen, Mespelare, Oudegem, Schoonaarde, and Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde...
. The maintenance road that runs alongside serves as a bicycle track. Bikers can leave the track in Sint-Amands
Sint-Amands
Sint-Amands is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the towns of Lippelo, Oppuurs and Sint-Amands proper. On January 1, 2006 Sint-Amands had a total population of 7,781...
and follow the scenic route up North on the banks of the river Scheldt
Scheldt
The Scheldt is a 350 km long river in northern France, western Belgium and the southwestern part of the Netherlands...
.
External links
- Official website - Only available in DutchDutch languageDutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...