Geraardsbergen

Geraardsbergen

Geraardsbergen

Municipality in Flemish Community, Belgium

Geraardsbergen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɣeːraːrdzbɛrɣə(n)] ⓘ; French: Grammont, French pronunciation: [ɡʁamɔ̃]) is a city and municipality located in the Denderstreek and in the Flemish Ardennes, the hilly southern part of the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Geraardsbergen proper and the following towns:

Goeferdinge [nl], Grimminge [nl], Idegem [nl], Moerbeke [nl], Nederboelare [nl], Nieuwenhove [nl], Onkerzele [nl], Ophasselt [nl], Overboelare [nl], Schendelbeke [nl], Smeerebbe-Vloerzegem [nl], Viane, Waarbeke [nl], Zandbergen [nl] and Zarlardinge [nl].

Quick Facts Country, Community ...

In 2021, Geraardsbergen had a total population of 33,970. The total area is 79.71 km2.[2]

The current mayor of Geraardsbergen is Ann Panis, from the (liberal) party Open VLD.

History

Geraardsbergen in 1649

Geraardsbergen is one of the oldest cities in Belgium. It came into existence close to the settlement of Hunnegem and in 1068 was one of the first communities in Western Europe to be granted city status.[3]

The city was destroyed in 1381 by Walter IV of Enghien and his troops. According to legend, during the siege local people threw some of their left over food over the city wall to show that they had sufficient food to survive a long siege. This bravado notwithstanding, the city was still captured by Enghien's troops. Every year the city organizes the krakelingenworp carnival on top of the hill at Oudenberg (111 metres (364 ft)) to celebrate this historical event.[4]

On 29 May 1815, shortly before the Battle of Waterloo, Wellington and Blücher reviewed the Allied cavalry here. Some 6,000 troops were paraded in meadows on the banks of the Dender between Geraardsbergen and Jedeghem.[5]

Places of interest

  • Manneke Pis is the most famous statue of Geraardsbergen
  • De Muur van Geraardsbergen (the Wall of Geraarsbergen)
  • Priory of Hunnegem, 2005
  • Chapel of Our Lady of the Oudenberg (1724)

Mattentaart

Mattentaart [nl]

Geraardsbergen is known for the mattentaart [nl], a type of sweet pastry. This is made with matten paste or cheese curd.[6]

The mattentaart was granted Protected Geographical Indication status by the European Union in 2006, indicating they can only be made in Geraardsbergen or in the nearby municipality of Lierde.[6][7]

Notable individuals

  • Daniël van Geraardsbergen [nl] (1116–1196)
  • William of Moerbeke (1215–1286), first translator of Aristotle's works into Latin
  • Guillebert de Mets [nl] (1415–1460), scrivenist and scribe
Gabriel Grupello

References

  1. [1]
    "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. [2]
    "Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 41018". Statistics Belgium. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  3. [3]
    "Stad Geraardsbergen - Geschiedenis van de stad Geraardsbergen". Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  4. [4]
    "Stad Geraardsbergen - Krakelingen & Tonnekensbrand (Eng)". Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  5. [5]
    Cavalié Mercer, Journal of the Waterloo Campaign Kept throughout the Campaign of 1815, Da Capo Press, 1995
  6. [6]
    "Summary, Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 'Geraardsbergse Mattentaart'". Official Journal of the European Union. 6 January 2006. Retrieved 4 March 2009.
  7. [7]
    "Mattentaart". Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2009.

Media related to Geraardsbergen at Wikimedia Commons
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