Baardegem is a village in the Belgian province of

East Flanders East Flanders ( ; ; ; ) is a Provinces of Belgium, province of Belgium. It borders (clockwise from the North) the Netherlands, Dutch province of Zeeland and the Belgian provinces of Antwerp (province), Antwerp, Flemish Brabant, Hainaut (provinc ...

and is a submunicipality of Aalst. It was an independent municipality until the municipal reorganization of 1977. Baardegem is located in the

Denderstreek The Denderstreek or Denderland is a region in Belgium. It is named after the river Dender. Though the river stretches over three provinces, Hainaut (province), Hainaut, East Flanders and Flemish Brabant, the region called after the river is situa ...

. It measures 605

hectares The hectare (; SI symbol: ha) is a non-SI metric unit of area equal to a square with 100-metre sides (1 hm2), that is, square metres (), and is primarily used in the measurement of land. There are 100 hectares in one square kilometre. A ...

and has 1948 inhabitants. Baardegem was first mentioned in 1180 as "Bardenghien". It formed one parish with Meldert until 1258. It was dependent on the Abbey of Affligem. In 1689 the village was plundered and burned down by the French. During the French Revolution it was separated from the

Duchy of Brabant The Duchy of Brabant, a Imperial State, state of the Holy Roman Empire, was established in 1183. It developed from the Landgraviate of Brabant of 1085–1183, and formed the heart of the historic Low Countries. The Duchy comprised part of the Bu ...

and became part of the Escaut department. Inhabitants of Baardegem are nicknamed in Dutch language ''varinkdorsers'', translated fern threshers.Belgische Spotnamen op volksverhalen.be
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References

Sub-municipalities of Belgium Populated places in East Flanders Former municipalities of East Flanders {{EastFlanders-geo-stub