Sint-Niklaas
Encyclopedia
Sint-Niklaas is a Belgian
city
and municipality located in the Flemish
province
of East Flanders
. The municipality comprises the city of Sint-Niklaas proper and the towns of Belsele
, Nieuwkerken-Waas, and Sinaai.
Sint-Niklaas is the capital and major city of the Waasland
region straddling the East Flanders
and Antwerp
provinces. The city is known for having the largest market square in Belgium.
times was neighbouring Waasmunster
, better located on the river Durme. Belsele
was already mentioned in a 9th century document. The history of Sint-Niklaas proper, however, starts in 1217, when the bishop of Tournai
, following advice from the local clergy, founded a church to Saint Nicholas
here. The new parish was to depend on the See of Tournai until the middle of the 16th century. Politically, however, it was part of the County of Flanders
. The power of Flanders
at that time favoured the quick economic development of the city, which became the administrative centre of the region in 1241. A document dated from 1248 records that Margaret II, Countess of Flanders
, ceded additional territory to the parish of Sint-Niklaas with the proviso that it would remain bare, which explains the unusual size of the central market square today.
and Antwerp, not far from the Scheldt
, favoured further development. By 1513, Emperor Maximilian
had granted the city the right to hold a weekly market. Around 1580, the church of Saint Nicholas suffered heavy damage from roving iconoclasts
. The 17th century was generally a period of prosperity that was marked by economic growth, mostly in the flax and wool industries. This was also the time when Sint-Niklaas was endowed with administrative buildings and three cloistered communities (Oratorians
, Franciscan
s, and Black Sisters
), which provided educational, religious, and medical services to the region. On May 25, 1690, another fire destroyed most of the city.
n regime was favourable to Sint-Niklaas. The flagship textile industry adapted well to mechanization and added cotton products to its portfolio in 1764. At the end of the century, the French Revolution
brought its mixture of religious intolerance and modern administration to the city. Napoleon
came to visit Sint-Niklaas in 1803 and officially promoted it to the rank of city. The 19th century witnessed a general decline in the textile industry. Several new buildings were erected, including the current city hall and the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of Our-Lady). After World War II
, the textile industry went through a crisis. Today, the historic centre of the city has become mostly a shopping and services district.
at Sint-Niklaas from Ghent
in 1977, mainly because the great square provided close proximity for the growing number of spectators. By 1988 the start had grown into a two-day affair with a spectacle presented by BRT
television the previous night.
to Antwerp, Sint-Niklaas has excellent connections by train and car. The E17
, one of Belgium's busiest highways, passes the city; the N16 dual carriageway leads to Mechelen
and Brussels
.
Trains depart every half hour to Ghent and Antwerp and hourly to Brussels, Mechelen and Leuven
from the new railway station. The city also has an extensive network of buslines, both regional and local. Throughout the city's main thoroughfares, buses drive in designated lanes.
Sint-Niklaas was awarded the title of Most Pedestrian Friendly City in Flanders after the restoration of its central Market area.
:
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...
city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
and municipality located in the Flemish
Flemish Region
The Flemish Region is one of the three official regions of the Kingdom of Belgium—alongside the Walloon Region and the Brussels-Capital Region. Colloquially, it is usually simply referred to as Flanders, of which it is the institutional iteration within the context of the Belgian political system...
province
Provinces of Belgium
Belgium is divided into three regions, two of them are subdivided into five provinces each.The division into provinces is fixed by Article 5 of the Belgian Constitution...
of East Flanders
East Flanders
East Flanders is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and in Belgium on the provinces of Antwerp, Flemish Brabant , of Hainaut and of West Flanders...
. The municipality comprises the city of Sint-Niklaas proper and the towns of Belsele
Belsele
Belsele is a village and a deelgemeente of the municipality of Sint-Niklaas, which is situated in the Belgian province of East Flanders.In 1217 Belsele became an autonomous parish. Also Belsele and Sinaai were united in rule in a tribunal...
, Nieuwkerken-Waas, and Sinaai.
Sint-Niklaas is the capital and major city of the Waasland
Waasland
The Waasland is a region in Flanders, Belgium, although without any administrative functions. It is also called the Land van Waas ; Waas most likely refers to the soggy soil of the region even though the exact etymology is unknown - one possibility is a connection to the English word 'wasteland'...
region straddling the East Flanders
East Flanders
East Flanders is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and in Belgium on the provinces of Antwerp, Flemish Brabant , of Hainaut and of West Flanders...
and 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...
provinces. The city is known for having the largest market square in Belgium.
Thirteenth-century origins
Although some traces of pre-Roman activity have been found on the territory of Sint-Niklaas, the regional centre during RomanAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
times was neighbouring Waasmunster
Waasmunster
Waasmunster is a municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders, in Belgium. The municipality only comprises the town of Waasmunster proper. On January 1, 2010 Waasmunster had a total population of 10,412. The total area is 31.93 km² which gives a population density of 323...
, better located on the river Durme. Belsele
Belsele
Belsele is a village and a deelgemeente of the municipality of Sint-Niklaas, which is situated in the Belgian province of East Flanders.In 1217 Belsele became an autonomous parish. Also Belsele and Sinaai were united in rule in a tribunal...
was already mentioned in a 9th century document. The history of Sint-Niklaas proper, however, starts in 1217, when the bishop of Tournai
Roman Catholic Diocese of Tournai
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Tournai, also called , is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church in Belgium. The diocese was formed in 1146, by the splitting of the diocese of Noyon and Tournai that had existed since the 7th century. It is now suffragan of the archdiocese of...
, following advice from the local clergy, founded a church to Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas , also called Nikolaos of Myra, was a historic 4th-century saint and Greek Bishop of Myra . Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker...
here. The new parish was to depend on the See of Tournai until the middle of the 16th century. Politically, however, it was part of the County of Flanders
County of Flanders
The County of Flanders was one of the territories constituting the Low Countries. The county existed from 862 to 1795. It was one of the original secular fiefs of France and for centuries was one of the most affluent regions in Europe....
. The power of Flanders
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...
at that time favoured the quick economic development of the city, which became the administrative centre of the region in 1241. A document dated from 1248 records that Margaret II, Countess of Flanders
Margaret II, Countess of Flanders
Margaret, called of Constantinople was countess of Flanders from 1244 to 1278 and also, countess of Hainaut from 1244 to 1253 and again from 1257 until her death.-History and Family:...
, ceded additional territory to the parish of Sint-Niklaas with the proviso that it would remain bare, which explains the unusual size of the central market square today.
14th to 17th century
The city was never walled, which made it an easy target for conquest. In 1381, it was engulfed by fire and plundered. However, the central location of Sint-Niklaas between GhentGhent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
and Antwerp, not far from the Scheldt
Scheldt
The Scheldt is a 350 km long river in northern France, western Belgium and the southwestern part of the Netherlands...
, favoured further development. By 1513, Emperor Maximilian
Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor
Maximilian I , the son of Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor and Eleanor of Portugal, was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1493 until his death, though he was never in fact crowned by the Pope, the journey to Rome always being too risky...
had granted the city the right to hold a weekly market. Around 1580, the church of Saint Nicholas suffered heavy damage from roving iconoclasts
Iconoclasm
Iconoclasm is the deliberate destruction of religious icons and other symbols or monuments, usually with religious or political motives. It is a frequent component of major political or religious changes...
. The 17th century was generally a period of prosperity that was marked by economic growth, mostly in the flax and wool industries. This was also the time when Sint-Niklaas was endowed with administrative buildings and three cloistered communities (Oratorians
Oratory of Saint Philip Neri
The Oratory of Saint Philip Neri is a congregation of Catholic priests and lay-brothers who live together in a community bound together by no formal vows but only with the bond of charity. They are commonly referred to as Oratorians...
, Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
s, and Black Sisters
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
), which provided educational, religious, and medical services to the region. On May 25, 1690, another fire destroyed most of the city.
18th century until now
In the 18th century, the AustriaAustria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n regime was favourable to Sint-Niklaas. The flagship textile industry adapted well to mechanization and added cotton products to its portfolio in 1764. At the end of the century, the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
brought its mixture of religious intolerance and modern administration to the city. Napoleon
Napoleon I of France
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution.As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1815...
came to visit Sint-Niklaas in 1803 and officially promoted it to the rank of city. The 19th century witnessed a general decline in the textile industry. Several new buildings were erected, including the current city hall and the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of Our-Lady). After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the textile industry went through a crisis. Today, the historic centre of the city has become mostly a shopping and services district.
Ronde van Vlaanderen
The Ronde van Vlaanderen bicycle road race moved its start to the market squareMarket square
The market square is a feature of many European and colonial towns. It is an open area where market stalls are traditionally set out for trading, commonly on one particular day of the week known as market day....
at Sint-Niklaas from Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
in 1977, mainly because the great square provided close proximity for the growing number of spectators. By 1988 the start had grown into a two-day affair with a spectacle presented by BRT
BRT
BRT may refer to:* "Be right there" in Internet slang.* Baltic Rubber Trade, Ltd., owner of the BRT trademark.* Bayrak Radyo Televizyon Kurumu is the national public broadcaster of Northern Cyprus....
television the previous night.
Heritage
- The Church of Saint Nicholas was founded in the 13th century and gave its name to the city. After heavy damage in the 16th century, the interior was redone in the BaroqueBaroqueThe Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
style. - The Chapel of Saint Joseph was built in the 17th century by the FranciscanFranciscanMost Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
s. It was later integrated into a minor seminaryMinor seminaryA minor seminary is a secondary boarding school created for the specific purpose of enrolling teenage boys who have expressed interest in becoming priests. They are generally Roman Catholic institutions, and designed to prepare boys both academically and spiritually for vocations to the priesthood...
and is now part of a high school. - The Church of Our Lady and Town Hall, located on the largest market square in Belgium, is more recent (19th century).
- The Gerardus MercatorGerardus Mercatorthumb|right|200px|Gerardus MercatorGerardus Mercator was a cartographer, born in Rupelmonde in the Hapsburg County of Flanders, part of the Holy Roman Empire. He is remembered for the Mercator projection world map, which is named after him...
Museum traces the history of cartographyCartographyCartography is the study and practice of making maps. Combining science, aesthetics, and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality can be modeled in ways that communicate spatial information effectively.The fundamental problems of traditional cartography are to:*Set the map's...
back to its origins. The museum also houses two original globes that belonged to the famous cartographer. - Other churches and museums include: Saint Joseph, Christ the King, Salon for Fine Arts and Zwijgershoek.
Events
- On the first weekend of September, Sint-Niklaas hosts an international balloon meeting (Vredesfeesten) with a three day music festival (Villa Pace) attached to it.
- The last week of the year, Sint-Niklaas is the host of the Flanders Volley Gala, an international volleyball tournament.
- The city keeps seven giantsGiant (mythology)The mythology and legends of many different cultures include monsters of human appearance but prodigious size and strength. "Giant" is the English word commonly used for such beings, derived from one of the most famed examples: the gigantes of Greek mythology.In various Indo-European mythologies,...
: Janneken, Mieke, Santa ClausSanta ClausSanta Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
and Zwarte PietZwarte PietIn the folklore and legends of the Netherlands and Belgium, Zwarte Piet is a companion of Saint Nicholas whose yearly feast in the Netherlands is usually celebrated on the evening of 5 December In the folklore and legends of the Netherlands and Belgium, Zwarte Piet (meaning Black Pete) is a...
, and the three MagiBiblical MagiThe Magi Greek: μάγοι, magoi), also referred to as the Wise Men, Kings, Astrologers, or Kings from the East, were a group of distinguished foreigners who were said to have visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh...
: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.
Transportation
Because of its location on the vital axis from GhentGhent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
to Antwerp, Sint-Niklaas has excellent connections by train and car. The E17
European route E17
European route E 17 passes through the following cities:** Antwerp → Sint-Niklaas → Ghent → Kortrijk** Tourcoing → Lille** Lille → Arras** Arras → Cambrai → Saint-Quentin → Laon → Reims...
, one of Belgium's busiest highways, passes the city; the N16 dual carriageway leads to Mechelen
Mechelen
Mechelen Footnote: Mechelen became known in English as 'Mechlin' from which the adjective 'Mechlinian' is derived...
and Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
.
Trains depart every half hour to Ghent and Antwerp and hourly to Brussels, Mechelen and Leuven
Leuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...
from the new railway station. The city also has an extensive network of buslines, both regional and local. Throughout the city's main thoroughfares, buses drive in designated lanes.
Sint-Niklaas was awarded the title of Most Pedestrian Friendly City in Flanders after the restoration of its central Market area.
Mayors
Mayors since the end of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
:
- Henri Heyman (Catholic) (1933–1946);
- Romain De Vidts (CVP, now CD&VChristian Democratic and FlemishThe Christian Democratic and Flemish is a political party of Belgium, formerly called Christian People's Party...
) (1947–1962); - Frantz Van Dorpe (CVP, now CD&V);
- Paul De Vidts ([CVP, now CD&V) (1977–1988);
- Lieven Lenaerts (CVP, now CD&V) (1995–1996);
- Jef Foubert (CVP, now CD&V) (1997–2000);
- Freddy WillockxFreddy WillockxFrederik A.A. Willockx is a Belgian socialist politician, member of the Flemish Different Socialist Party.Freddy Willockx was first elected to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives in 1979 and served until 1994...
(SP.A) (1989–1994 and 2001 - June 2010). - Christel Geerts, the first female mayor of Sint-Niklaas. (July 2010 -)
Famous citizens
- Alexander Baervoets, choreographer (b. 1956)
- Alex CallierAlex CallierAlex Callier is a member of Belgian band Hooverphonic. He studied sound engineering in the Rits school in Brussels and attended several music classes in both his hometown, Sint Niklaas, and Antwerp. Between 1994 and 1997 he worked as a sound engineer for the Belgian VRT TV channel...
and Raymond Geerts, musicians (HooverphonicHooverphonicHooverphonic are a Belgian rock/pop group, formed in 1995. Though early on categorized as a trip hop group, they quickly expanded their sound to the point where they could no longer be described as a lone genre, but rather encompass alternative, electronica, electropop, rock, and mixture of others...
) - Maurits CoppietersMaurits CoppietersMaurits Coppieters , Belgian politician for the Volksunie, member of the Belgian Chamber , the Belgian Senate and the European Parliament ....
, politician (1920–2005) - Sean D'hondt, leadsinger 'Nailpin', born in Sint-Niklaas
- August de Maere Engineer, creator of the Zeebrugge Port (1802–1885)
- Martin De PryckerMartin De PryckerMartin De Prycker is a Belgian engineer and businessman. He was until December 2008 the CEO of Barco, a Belgian display hardware manufacturer. He currently serves as CEO of Caliopa, a spin-off of Ghent University and IMEC....
, engineer, CEO of Barco (b. 1955) - Els de SchepperEls de SchepperEls Baziel Germain de Schepper is a Flemish actress, comedian and writer.-Biography:Els de Schepper studied cabaret at the Studio Herman Teirlinck....
, Flemish actress, comedian and writer (b. 1965) - Tom LanoyeTom LanoyeTom Lanoye [lan-WA] is a Belgian novelist and poet who works in Antwerp and Cape Town . He gained widespread popularity in the early 1980s as part of the new generation of young Flemish novelists that included Herman Brusselmans and Kristien Hemmerechts...
, authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
(b. 1958) - Sven MaesSven MaesSven Maes , also known as Svenson, is a Belgian DJ and trance music producer. His work, especially in partnership with fellow Belgian Johan Gielen, have produced some of trance music's biggest hits...
, DJ (b. 1973) - Daniël OstDaniel OstDaniel Ost is an artist known for his work with plants; CBS News has described him as "the world's leading flower designer," while the New York Times says that "to call him a master flower designer is akin to calling Annie Leibovitz a shutterbug."Ost's clientele includes royalty of several...
, floristFloristryFloristry is the general term used to describe production, commerce and trade in flowers. It encompasses flower care and handling, floral design or flower arranging, merchandising, and display and flower delivery. Wholesale florists sell bulk flowers and related supplies to professionals in the trade...
(b. 1955) - Luis SiretLuis SiretLuis Siret y Cels was a Belgian-Spanish archaeologist and illustrator.He was born in Belgium, but when he was 21 he went to Cuevas del Almanzora when he was contracted by the mining company Almagrera as a Mining Engineer.Though 50 years, Luis Siret and his brother Henri Siret investigated...
, archaeologist and illustrator (1869–1934) - Marc SleenMarc SleenMarcel Honoree Nestor, Knight Neels , known with his pseudonym Marc Sleen, is a Flemish/Belgian comics artist and cartoonist. He is mostly known for his comic The adventures of Nero and co.-Biography:...
, comics artistComics artistA comics artist is an artist working within the comics medium on comic strips, comic books or graphic novels. The term may refer to any number of artists who contribute to produce a work in the comics form, from those who oversee all aspects of the work to those who contribute only a part.-Comic...
(b. 1922) - Paul SnoekPaul SnoekEdmond André Coralie Schietekat pseudonym Paul Snoek, was a Belgian poet. He was a son of Omer William Schietekat, a textile manufacturer, and Paula Sylvia Snoeck. In 1961, he married Maria Magdalena Vereecke , and together they had three children, a twin Jan and Paul in 1963 and in 1966 Sophie...
, poet (1933–1981) - Tom SteelsTom SteelsTom Steels is a former Belgian professional road bicycle racer, specialising in sprint finishes and one-day races...
, cyclistCyclingCycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
(b. 1971) - Edgar TinelEdgar TinelEdgar Tinel was a Belgian composer and pianist.He was born in Sinaai, today part of Sint-Niklaas in East Flanders, Belgium, and died in Brussels. After studies at the Brussels Conservatory with Louis Brassin and François-Auguste Gevaert , he began a career as a virtuoso, but soon abandoned this...
, composer, born in Sinaai (1854–1912) - Wouter Van BellingenWouter Van BellingenWouter Van Bellingen is a Flemish politician for the political party Spirit. Before that, he was employed by the city of Sint-Niklaas as a civil servant working on youth and developing world issues....
, politician - Sandrine Van Handenhoven, ArtistArtistAn artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
(b.1984) - Anton van WilderodeAnton van WilderodeCyriel Paul Coupé , pseudonym Anton van Wilderode was a Belgian writer and poet.Coupé was born in Moerbeke-Waas. He was ordained as a priest on 21 May 1944, and graduated in Classical philology at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven...
, poet (1918–1998) - Jan Vertonghen, Fullback for AFC Ajax (b. 1987)
Twin towns — Sister cities
Sint-Niklaas is twinned with:| Colmar Colmar Colmar is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.It is the capital of the department. Colmar is also the seat of the highest jurisdiction in Alsace, the appellate court.... , France Lucca Lucca Lucca is a city and comune in Tuscany, central Italy, situated on the river Serchio in a fertile plainnear the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Lucca... , Italy Abingdon Abingdon, Oxfordshire Abingdon or archaically Abingdon-on-Thames is a market town and civil parish in Oxfordshire, England. It is the seat of the Vale of White Horse district. Previously the county town of Berkshire, Abingdon is one of several places that claim to be Britain's oldest continuously occupied town, with... , United Kingdom |
Schongau Schongau, Bavaria Schongau is a small town in Bavaria, near the Alps. It is located along the Lech, between Landsberg am Lech and Füssen. It has about 12,000 inhabitants... , Germany Gorinchem Gorinchem Gorinchem , also called Gorkum , is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covers an area of 21.99 km² of which 3.03 km² is water... , Netherlands Tábor Tábor Tábor is a city of the Czech Republic, in the South Bohemian Region. It is named after Mount Tabor, which is believed by many to be the place of the Transfiguration of Christ; however, the name became popular and nowadays translates to "camp" or "encampment" in the Czech language.The town was... , Czech Republic |
External links
- Official website - Information 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...
and limited information available in EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and FrenchFrench languageFrench is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts... - Sinnekloas Youth Community - Youth Community of Sint-Niklaas
- Flemish couples don't want to be wed by Wouter, The ObserverThe ObserverThe Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
article on racism in Sint-Niklaas