Berlare () is a

municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality ...

located in the

Belgian Belgian may refer to: * Something of, or related to, Belgium * Belgians, people from Belgium or of Belgian descent * Languages of Belgium, languages spoken in Belgium, such as Dutch, French, and German *Ancient Belgian language, an extinct language ...

province of

East Flanders , native_name_lang = , settlement_type = Province of Belgium , image_flag = Flag of Oost-Vlaanderen.svg , flag_size = , image_shield = Wapen van O ...

. The municipality comprises the towns of Berlare proper, and , as well as the village . The Donkmeer, a large lake and a regional tourist attraction, is located centrally in the municipality. In 2021, Berlare had a total population of 15,222.

History

It was where the 1798 rebellion against French rule, known as the "''

Peasants' War This is a chronological list of conflicts in which peasants played a significant role. Background The history of peasant wars spans over two thousand years. A variety of factors fueled the emergence of the peasant revolt phenomenon, including: ...

''" began in 1798.

Places of interest

* The church of Saint Martin and a 17th-century

pillory The pillory is a device made of a wooden or metal framework erected on a post, with holes for securing the head and hands, formerly used for punishment by public humiliation and often further physical abuse. The pillory is related to the sto ...

in the center of Berlare proper. The Castle of Berlare, also in the town centre, was opened to the public in 2012. * The Bareldonk Chapel, built in the 14th century and expanded in 1774 in

Rococo Rococo (, also ), less commonly Roccoco or Late Baroque, is an exceptionally ornamental and theatrical style of architecture, art and decoration which combines asymmetry, scrolling curves, gilding, white and pastel colours, sculpted moulding, ...

style, is situated in Donk. There is a

Way of the Cross The Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross, also known as the Way of Sorrows or the Via Crucis, refers to a series of images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion and accompanying prayers. The stations grew out of imitati ...

and

calvary Calvary ( la, Calvariae or ) or Golgotha ( grc-gre, Γολγοθᾶ, ''Golgothâ'') was a site immediately outside Jerusalem's walls where Jesus was said to have been crucified according to the canonical Gospels. Since at least the early me ...

with sculptures by next to the chapel. * The Donkmeer is a lake, about 86 ha in size, that came into existence through the harvesting of

peat Peat (), also known as turf (), is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter. It is unique to natural areas called peatlands, bogs, mires, moors, or muskegs. The peatland ecosystem covers and is the most efficien ...

. * Recreation area Nieuwdonk. * Forested areas with trails include Berlare Broek and the Gratiebossen. * Riekend Rustpunt is a very small museum about the historic river transport of

manure Manure is organic matter that is used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. Most manure consists of animal feces; other sources include compost and green manure. Manures contribute to the fertility of soil by adding organic matter and nut ...

from the city to the countryside.

Gallery

File:Berlare - Sint-Martinuskerk 1.jpg, Saint Martin's in Berlare File:Bareldonk kapel 2011 07 24 00 02702.jpg, The Bareldonk Chapel in the village Donk File:Kasteel van Berlare westgevel.jpg, The

Castle of Berlare A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars debate the scope of the word ''castle'', but usually consider it to be the private fortifie ...

File:Huurbootjes2.JPG, The Donkmeer is a regional tourist attraction

Notable people

* Tjörven De Brul, soccer player *

Fred De Bruyne Alfred De Bruyne (21 October 1930 – 4 February 1994) was a Belgian champion road cyclist. He won six Tour de France stages early in his career and went on to win many other Monuments and stage races. He had a great deal of success early in hi ...

, cyclist and TV commentator * Karel De Gucht, politician * Paul Cammermans, film director and actor * Yves Van Der Straeten, soccer player * Preben Van Hecke, cyclist * , theater, opera, musical and TV director * Cecile Bombeek, serial killer

References

External links

* * {{Authority control Municipalities of East Flanders Populated places in East Flanders