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Cloth Hall
A cloth hall or linen hall (; ; ; ) is a historic building located in the centre of the main marketplace of a European town. Cloth halls were built from Medieval architecture, medieval times into the 18th century. A cloth hall contained trading stalls for the sale, particularly, of cloth but also of leather, wax, salt, and exotic imports such as silks and spices. Belgium Examples of cloth halls in Belgium include the Ypres Cloth Hall and cloth halls in Bruges, Leuven, and Tournai. Leuven's Linen-Hall is in an early-Gothic style, with baroque addition, and now serves as the Old University of Leuven, Leuven University Hall. *Antoing: the former town hall had been built as a cloth hall in 1565 *Bruges: Kontor of Bruges *Brussels, see Drapery Court of Brussels *Dendermonde: *Diest: *Tournai: *Geel: former city hall *Ghent: Belfry of Ghent *Halen: on the site of the current town hall *Hasselt: Cloth Hall, since the 18th century *Heestert: Lakenhalle OLV Hemelvaart *Herentals: ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Medieval Architecture
Medieval architecture was the architecture, art and science of designing and constructing buildings in the Middle Ages. The major styles of the period included pre-Romanesque, Romanesque architecture, Romanesque, and Gothic architecture, Gothic. In the fifteenth century, architects began to favour Classical architecture, classical forms again, in the Renaissance architecture, Renaissance style, marking the end of the medieval period. Many examples of religious, civic, and military architecture from the Middle Ages survive throughout Europe. Styles Pre-Romanesque The pre-Romanesque period lasted from the beginning of the Middle Ages (around 500 AD) to the emergence of the Romanesque style (from the 10th century). Much of the notable architecture from the period comes from France and Germany, under the Merovingian art and architecture, Merovingians and the Carolingian architecture, Carolingians and the Ottonian architecture, Ottonians. Other regions also have examples of architect ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ghent
Ghent ( ; ; historically known as ''Gaunt'' in English) is a City status in Belgium, city and a Municipalities of Belgium, municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the Provinces of Belgium, province of East Flanders, and the third largest in the country, after Brussels and Antwerp. It is a Port of Ghent, port and Ghent University, university city. The city originally started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Leie. In the Late Middle Ages Ghent became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe, with some 50,000 people in 1300. After the late 16th century Ghent became a less important city, resulting in an extremely well-preserved historic centre, that now makes Ghent an important destination of tourism. The municipality comprises the city of Ghent proper and the surrounding suburbs of Afsnee, Desteldonk, Drongen, Gentbrugge, Ledeberg, Mariakerke, East Flanders, Mariakerke, Mendonk, Oostakker, S ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mechelen
Mechelen (; ; historically known as ''Mechlin'' in EnglishMechelen has been known in English as ''Mechlin'', from where the adjective ''Mechlinian'' is derived. This name may still be used, especially in a traditional or historical context. The city's French name, ', had also been used in English in the past (in the 19th and 20th centuries); however, this has largely been abandoned. Meanwhile, the Dutch-derived ' began to be used in English increasingly from the late 20th century onwards, even while ''Mechlin'' remained still in use (for example, a ''Mechlinian'' is an inhabitant of this city or someone seen as born-and-raised there; the term is also the name of the city dialect; as an adjective ''Mechlinian'' may refer to the city or to its dialect.) is a city and municipality in the province of Antwerp in the Flemish Region of Belgium. The municipality comprises the city of Mechelen proper, some quarters at its outskirts, the hamlets of Nekkerspoel (adjacent) and Battel ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Maaseik
Maaseik (; ) is a city and municipality in the Belgian province of Limburg. Both in size (close to 77 km2) and in population (approx. 25,000 inhabitants, of whom some 3,000 non-Belgian), it is the 8th largest municipality in Limburg. The town is the seat of the administrative arrondissement of Maaseik (''kieskanton''). Internationally, Maaseik is known as the assumed birthplace of the famous Flemish painters Jan and Hubert van Eyck. Geography The town of Maaseik is located on the left bank of the Meuse (), bordering the Netherlands. For this reason the river is called ''Grensmaas'' (for "border Meuse") here. Two smaller rivers, the Bosbeek (or Oeterbeek) and the Zanderbeek (or Diepbeek), flow into the Meuse near Maaseik. Because of its location in the Meuse valley, Maaseik has mostly fertile soils. The northwestern part of the municipality is situated on the plain of Bocholt and has less fertile soils. The Meuse valley at Maaseik is about 4 kilometres wide. Maaseik has m ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lier, Belgium
Lier (; ) is a municipality located in the Belgium, Belgian province of Antwerp (province), Antwerp. It is composed of the city of Lier proper and the village of Koningshooikt. The city centre is surrounded by the river ''Nete'', around which it grew. In 2018, Lier had a total population of 35,712. The total area is 49.70 km making a population density (PD) of 720 per km. Lier is known for its beers (which include Caves (beer), Caves), its patron saint Gummarus, St. Gummarus and ''Lierse vlaaikes'' cake. It is also home to the world headquarters of Van Hool, a global bus and coach manufacturer. Lier's two principal football clubs are K Lyra-Lierse Berlaar, K. Lyra-Lierse and Lierse Kempenzonen (formerly known as KFC Oosterzonen, which moved to Lier in 2018). Etymology The etymology of the name ''Lier'' is still under debate. It most likely refers to the river ''Nete'' and the muddy soils that surround it. The Latin name of Lier is ''Lyra'', the suffix of which (-ara) is probab ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
University Hall (Leuven)
University Hall () in Leuven, Belgium, is a medieval cloth hall with 17th and 18th-century extensions that is now the main administrative building of KU Leuven. Heavily damaged during the Sack of Leuven in August 1914, the building was restored 1921–1926. It has been a listed building since 26 November 1942, and protected built heritage since 14 September 2009. The building fills most of a city block, with entrances on three of the surrounding streets at Krakenstraat 2, Naamsestraat 22, and Oude Markt 13. History Work on the oldest parts of the building began on 11 April 1317, with the aim of replacing the 12th-century cloth hall, which had become too small after a rapid expansion of the city's cloth trade around 1300. The builders were Jan Stevens, Arnout Hore and Goert Raes. The University of Leuven, founded in December 1425, began to occupy the building in 1431, although initially sharing it with some of the town's guilds and with the city armoury. In the late 17th centu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Langemark
Langemark is a village in the Belgian province of West Flanders, and a subdivision of the municipality of Langemark-Poelkapelle. The village has about 5,000 inhabitants. Besides the village center, there are also three smaller hamlets on the territory, , Bikschote and Saint-Julien/ Sint-Juliaan. Written as Langemarck on French, British and German maps, the village is known in military history as the scenesee trench map of the first gas attacks by the German army in the western front, which marked the beginning of the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915. Before and during the First Battle of Ypres, the German reserve corps suffered enormous losses: over 10,000 young soldiers (some only 15 years old), led by young officers without practical experience, died without achieving any objective. On 10 November 1914, about 2,000 soldiers died during an attempted breakthrough. One day later, the German Command (Oberste Heeresleitung) published the following communiqué: :''Westlich ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Schouwburgplein (Kortrijk)
The Schouwburgplein (''Theatre Square'') is situated in the heart of the city of Kortrijk, Belgium, and is flanked by the municipal theatre (''Stadsschouwburg'') and several historic buildings. The rectangular square was formed after the demolition of the old ''Lakenhalle'' (Clothes Hall) (built in 1411), which was severely damaged by friendly fire in 1944. The square is situated between the ''Doorniksestraat'' and the ''Havermarkt'' and occupies an area of 5,060 square metres. Today, the square is a pedestrian area with several bars and outdoor cafés. Underneath the square there is a large Multistorey car park, parking garage, which was built in 1993. On top of the entrance to this parking garage, there is a curved fountain, ''De Golf'' ("the Wave"), sculpted by the artist Olivier Strebelle. Literature * , Noodopgravingen aan het Kortrijkse Schouwburgplein, Groeninghe drukkerij, Kortrijk, 1994, 176pp. * , Duizend Kortrijkse straten, N.V. Vonksteen, Langemark, 1986, 591pp. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kortrijk
Kortrijk ( , ; or ''Kortrik''; ), sometimes known in English as Courtrai or Courtray ( ), is a Belgian City status in Belgium, city and Municipalities in Belgium, municipality in the Flemish Region, Flemish Provinces of Belgium, province of West Flanders. With its 80,000 inhabitants (2024) Kortrijk is the capital and largest city of the judicial and administrative arrondissement of Kortrijk. The wider municipality comprises the city of Courtrai proper and the villages of Aalbeke, Bellegem, Bissegem, Heule, Kooigem, Marke (Belgium), Marke, and Rollegem. Courtrai is also part of the cross-border Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai metropolitan area. The city is on the river Leie, southwest of Ghent and northeast of Lille. Mouscron in Wallonia is just south of Courtrai. Courtrai originated from a Gallo-Roman town, ''Cortoriacum'', at a crossroads near the Leie river and two Roman roads. In the Middle Ages, Courtrai grew significantly thanks to the flax and wool industry with France and En ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ypres
Ypres ( ; ; ; ; ) is a Belgian city and municipality in the province of West Flanders. Though the Dutch name is the official one, the city's French name is most commonly used in English. The municipality comprises the city of Ypres/Ieper and the villages of Boezinge, Brielen, Dikkebus, Elverdinge, Hollebeke, Sint-Jan, Vlamertinge, Voormezele, Zillebeke, and Zuidschote. Together, they are home to about 34,900 inhabitants. During the First World War, Ypres (or "Wipers" as it was commonly known by the British troops) was the centre of the Battles of Ypres between German and Allied forces. History Origins Ypres is an ancient town, known to have been raided by the Romans in the first century BC. It is first mentioned by name in 1066 and is probably named after the river Ieperlee on the banks of which it was founded. During the Middle Ages, Ypres was a prosperous Flemish city with a population of 40,000 in 1200 AD, renowned for its linen trade with England, which w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Herentals
Herentals () is a municipality and city in the province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the city of Herentals proper and the towns of Morkhoven and Noorderwijk. In 2022, Herentals had a total population of 28,455. The total area is . Saint Waltrude is the patron saint of the city. Highlights Herentals has some outstanding historical buildings, including the church and town hall; the town hall and its belfry is listed as one of the Belfries of Belgium and France, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old city gates, the ''Bovenpoort'' (Northern gate) and ''Zandpoort'' (Western gate) are still standing, while the ''Nederpoort'' and ''Koepoort'' were torn down a long time ago. The Hidrodoe science museum is located in Herentals. There is also a large chocolate factory located in Herentals, which is the only production facility in the world for Milka's Leo chocolate wafer bar. Herentals is a centre of commerce in the region, although the cities of Geel and Mol are quite popular ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Heestert
Heestert is a village in the south of the Belgian province of West Flanders and since 1976 has been part of the Zwevegem municipality. It has an area of 13 km2 and population of 2,880. The Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Assumption Church includes a late Gothic choir and two side chapels of the former church from 1500. In 1771 a new single-aisled nave with a western tower was built. The church was restored after burning down in 1931. Next to the church is the Heestert Military Cemetery with the graves of 127 British soldiers and 57 Germans who died at the end of October 1918 during the Hundred Days Offensive The Hundred Days Offensive (8 August to 11 November 1918) was a series of massive Allied offensives that ended the First World War. Beginning with the Battle of Amiens (8–12 August) on the Western Front, the Allies pushed the Imperial Germa .... Populated places in West Flanders {{WestFlanders-geo-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
