Sint-Niklaas
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Sint-Niklaas
Saint-Nicolas (French) | |
---|---|
City and municipality | |
Area | |
• Total | 84.2 km2 (32.5 sq mi) |
Population (2022-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 80,167 |
• Density | 950/km2 (2,500/sq mi) |
Postal codes | 9100, 9111, 9112 |
NIS code | 46021 |
Area codes | 03 |
Website | www.sint-niklaas.be |
Sint-Niklaas (Dutch:
Sint-Niklaas is the capital and major city of the
History
Thirteenth-century origins
Although some traces of pre-Roman activity have been found on the territory of Sint-Niklaas, the regional centre during
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
18th century until now
In the 18th century, the
Heritage
- The main 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 Baroque style.
- St. Joseph Minor Seminary, catholic school.
- The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Sint Niklaas , built in the 19th century, famous for its Byzantine revival interior, and 6m tall statue of our lady on top, covered in fine gold.
- Town Hall, in gothical revival style was built after the old hall burned down.
- The largest market square in Belgium, founded by Margaret II, Countess of Flanders.
- The Gerardus Mercator Museum traces the history of cartography 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, Saloons of Fine Arts and Zwijgershoek.
- The Huis Janssens
Events
- On the first weekend of September, Sint-Niklaas hosts an international balloon meeting ("Vredesfeesten") and a three-day music festival called "Villa Pace".
- During the last week of the year, Sint-Niklaas is the host of the Flanders Volley Gala, an international volleyball tournament.
- The city hosts seven processional giants: Janneken, Mieke, Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet, and the three Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.
Transportation
Because of its location on the vital axis from Ghent 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.
Mayors
Mayors since the end of World War II:
- Henri Heyman (Catholic) (1933–1946);
- Romain De Vidts (CVP, now CD&V) (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);
- SP.A, now Vooruit) (1989–1994 and 2001 - June 2010);
- SP.A, now Vooruit) (July 2010 - 2012);
- N-VA) (2013 - ).
Famous citizens
- Alex Callier and Raymond Geerts, musicians (Hooverphonic)
- Philip Coppens, author (1971–2012)
- Maurits Coppieters, politician (1920–2005)
- August de Maere , engineer, creator of the Zeebrugge Port (1802–1885)
- Barco(b. 1955)
- Els de Schepper, Flemish actress, comedian and writer (b. 1965)
- Sean Dhondt, TV presenter and leadsinger 'Nailpin' (b. 1984)
- Ilyo Hansen, author (b.1966)
- Gustaaf Joos, cardinal
- Tom Lanoye, author (b. 1958)
- Sven Maes, DJ (b. 1973)
- Daniël Ost, florist(b. 1955)
- Luis Siret, archaeologist and illustrator (1869–1934)
- comics artist(1922–2016)
- Woodie Smalls , rapper (b. 1996)
- Paul Snoek, poet (1933–1981)
- Tom Steels, road cyclist (b. 1971)
- Antoon Stillemans, bishop of Ghent (1832-1916)
- Sinaai(1854–1912)
- Marc Vael, computer scientist (b. 1967)
- Wouter Van Bellingen, politician (b. 1972)
- Sandrine Van Handenhoven , artist (b. 1984)
- Henri Van Severen, gold embroiderer
- Anton van Wilderode, poet (1918–1998)
- Angelo Vermeulen, visual artist (b.1971)
- Yari Verschaeren, footballer (b. 2001)
- Lisa Verschueren, gymnast (b. 1995)
- Jan Vertonghen, footballer (b. 1987)
- Erik Wijmeersch, athlete (b.1970)
International relations
Twin towns — Sister cities
Sint-Niklaas is
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References
- ^ "Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2022". Statbel.
- ^ "World's Biggest Easter Egg Goes On Show". Gettyimages. 2005-03-24.
- ^ Recuerdos españoles en Flandes, Volume 3
External links
Media related to Sint-Niklaas at Wikimedia Commons
- Sint-Niklaas travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Official website - Information available in Dutch and limited information available in English and French
- Flemish couples don't want to be wed by Wouter, The Observer article on racism in Sint-Niklaas