Erpe-Mere
Encyclopedia
Erpe-Mere is a municipality
located in the Belgian
province of East Flanders
in the Denderstreek
. The municipality comprises the towns of Aaigem
, Bambrugge
, Burst
, Erondegem
, Erpe
, Mere
, Ottergem
and Vlekkem
. There is also a hamlet in Bambrugge: Egem
. On January 1, 2010 Erpe-Mere had a total population of 19,280. The total area is 34.03 km² which gives a population density
of 567 inhabitants per km². The current mayor of Erpe-Mere is Hugo De Waele, from the CD&V (Christian Democratic) party.
and Haaltert
, in the south by Herzele
and in the west by Sint-Lievens-Houtem
. Erpe-Mere is located north of the foothills of the Flemish Ardennes
, in the region Denderstreek
. The area north of the N9 (Aalst-Ghent) is between 10 to 30 meters high, the area between the N9 and E40 (Brussels-Ghent) is between 25 to 50 meters high and the area south of it has hills peaks up to 80 meters. The most famous of them is the Gotegemberg in Mere, not for his height of 68 meters, but for its slope of 18% making it a popular challenge for cyclists.
The territory is traversed by two brooks that both bear the name Molenbeek. The Molenbeek from the Upper Scheldt crosses Burst, Bambrugge, Ottergem, Vlekkem and Erondegem before it flows into the Scheldt. The Molenbeek-Ter Erpenbeek flows into the Dender.
The Romans knew early there was white natural stone called Vlaamse Arduin or Lediaanse Steen in Steenberg of Bambrugge. This white natural stone was suitable as a foundation for the masonry of Roman villas and as building material for columns and capitals of the Roman temples. From about the 11th or 12th century there was already extracted white sandstone in Bambrugge (Steenberg). The common types of white natural stone in Brabant in the 16th to 17th Century were extracted in Steenberg. Extraction continued until after World War II. Today it's the administrative center of Erpe-Mere.
There is a 205 hectare nature reserve called Den Dotter
in the sub-municipalities of Aaigem
(municipality Erpe-Mere) and Heldergem (municipality Haaltert
).
File:Gemeentehuis Erpe-Mere.jpg|The town hall of Erpe-Mere, at Steenberg in Bambrugge
File:Sporthal Erpe-Mere.jpg|The sports hall of Erpe-Mere, at Steenberg in Bambrugge
File:Bibliotheek Erpe-Mere.jpg|The library of Erpe-Mere, at Steenberg in Bambrugge
File:Vijver Steenberg Erpe-Mere.jpg|The pool of Steenberg in Bambrugge
File:Autosnelwegbrug Mere.jpg|The motorway bridge (E40) of Mere over the Oudenaardsesteenweg
File:Spoorwegbrug Erpe.jpg|The railway bridge of Erpe over the Oudenaardsesteenweg
File:Engelsmolen Aaigem.JPG|Engelsmolen at Aaigem
File:Engelsmolen Aaigem rad.JPG|Mill wheel of the Engelsmolen at Aaigem
File:Ratmolen Aaigem.JPG|Ratmolen at Aaigem
File:Ratmolen Aaigem rad.JPG|Mill wheel of the Ratmolen at Aaigem
File:Zwingelmolen Aaigem.jpg|Zwingelmolen at Aaigem
File:Zwingelmolen Aaigem beek.JPG|Place where the mill wheel of the Zwingelmolen once was at Aaigem
File:Egemmolen Bambrugge Molenhuis.JPG|Mill house of the Egemmolen at Bambrugge
File:Egemmolen Bambrugge overblijfselen.JPG|Remains of the Egemmolen at Bambrugge
File:Molens Van Sande Bambrugge vooraanzicht.JPG|Front view of the Molens Van Sande at Bambrugge
File:Molens Van Sande Bambrugge zijaanzicht.JPG|Side-view of the Molens Van Sande at Bambrugge
File:Molens Van Sande Bambrugge beek.JPG|Place where the mill wheel of the Molens Van Sande once was at Bambrugge
File:Cottemmolen Erpe vooraanzicht.JPG|Front view of the Cottemmolen at Erpe
File:Cottemmolen Erpe zijaanzicht.JPG|Side-view of the Cottemmolen at Erpe
File:Cottemmolen Erpe rad.JPG|Mill wheel of the Cottemmolen at Erpe
File:Van Der Biestmolen Erpe.JPG|Van Der Biestmolen at Erpe
File:Van Der Biestmolen Erpe rad.JPG|Mill wheel of the Van Der Biestmolen at Erpe
File:De Graevemolen Mere vooraanzicht.jpg|Front view of the De Graevemolen at Mere
File:De Graevemolen Mere zijaanzicht.jpg|Side-view of the De Graevemolen at Mere
File:De Graevemolen Mere rad.jpg|Mill wheel of the De Graevemolen at Mere
File:Gotegemmolen Mere.JPG|Gotegemmolen at Mere
File:Gotegemmolen Mere rad.JPG|Mill wheel of the Gotegemmolen at Mere
File:Kruiskoutermolen Mere.JPG|Kruiskoutermolen at Mere
File:Molen te Broeck Mere.JPG|Molen te Broeck at Mere
File:Molen te Broeck Mere rad.JPG|Mill wheel of the Molen te Broeck at Mere
File:De Watermeulen Ottergem vooraanzicht.JPG|Front view of the De Watermeulen at Ottergem
File:De Watermeulen Ottergem achteraanzicht.JPG|Rear view of the De Watermeulen at Ottergem
File:De Watermeulen Ottergem rad.JPG|Mill wheel of the De Watermeulen at Ottergem
File:De Watermeulen Ottergem binnenwerk.JPG|The De Watermeulen inside at Ottergem
File:AaigemKerk2.JPG|Church of Aaigem
File:Kerk Bambrugge.jpg|Church of Bambrugge
File:Kerk Burst 1.jpg|Church of Burst
File:Kerk Erondegem 1.jpg|Church of Erondegem
File:Kerk Erpe.jpg|Church of Erpe
File:Kerk Mere 1.jpg|Church of Mere
File:Kerk Ottergem 2.jpg|Church of Ottergem
File:Kerk Vlekkem.jpg|Church of Vlekkem
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
located in the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
province of East Flanders
East Flanders
East Flanders is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and in Belgium on the provinces of Antwerp, Flemish Brabant , of Hainaut and of West Flanders...
in the Denderstreek
Denderstreek
The Denderstreek or Denderland is a region in the heart of Belgium. It is named after the river Dender. Though the river stretches over three provinces, Hainaut, East Flanders and Flemish Brabant, the region called after the river is situated in East-Flanders. The Dutch word streek means region....
. The municipality comprises the towns of Aaigem
Aaigem
Aaigem is a village belonging to the municipality of Erpe-Mere. It is located in the province of East Flanders, Belgium. The village has some 2000 inhabitants. Aaigem was an independent municipality with an area of 7.32 square kilometers till 1976....
, Bambrugge
Bambrugge
Bambrugge is a sub-municipality of Erpe-Mere in Flanders. It is located in the Denderstreek in the southeast of East Flanders and belongs to Arrondissement of Aalst. It is bordered by the sub-municipalities of Vlekkem, Ottergem, Mere, Aaigem and Burst and the municipality of Sint-Lievens-Houtem...
, Burst
Burst (village)
Burst is a sub-municipality of Erpe-Mere in Flanders. It is located in the Denderstreek in the southeast of East Flanders and belongs to Arrondissement of Aalst. It is bordered by the sub-municipalities of Bambrugge and Aaigem and the municipalities of Herzele and Sint-Lievens-Houtem...
, Erondegem
Erondegem
Erondegem is a sub-municipality of Erpe-Mere in Flanders. It is located in the Denderstreek in the southeast of East Flanders and belongs to Arrondissement of Aalst. It is bordered by the sub-municipalities of Erpe and Ottergem and the municipalities of Sint-Lievens-Houtem and Lede...
, Erpe
Erpe
Erpe is a sub-municipality of Erpe-Mere in Flanders. It is located in the Denderstreek in the southeast of East Flanders and belongs to Arrondissement of Aalst. The sub-municipality is bordered by the sub-municipalities of Mere, Ottergem and Erondegem and the municipalities Lede and Aalst...
, Mere
Mere, Belgium
Mere is a sub-municipality of Erpe-Mere in Flanders. It is located in the Denderstreek in the southeast of East Flanders and belongs to Arrondissement of Aalst. It is bordered by the sub-municipalities of Erpe, Ottergem, Bambrugge and Aaigem and the municipalities Haaltert and Aalst...
, Ottergem
Ottergem
Ottergem is a sub-municipality of Erpe-Mere in Flanders. It is located in the Denderstreek in the southeast of East Flanders and belongs to Arrondissement of Aalst. The sub-municipality is bordered by the sub-municipalities of Erondegem, Erpe, Mere, Bambrugge and Vlekkem and the municipality...
and Vlekkem
Vlekkem
Vlekkem is a sub-municipality of Erpe-Mere in Flanders. It is located in the Denderstreek in the southeast of East Flanders and belongs to Arrondissement of Aalst. The sub-municipality is bordered by the hamlet Egem of the sub-municipality Bambrugge, the sub-municipality Ottergem and the...
. There is also a hamlet in Bambrugge: Egem
Egem (East Flanders)
Egem is a hamlet in the sub-municipality of Bambrugge in the municipality of Erpe-Mere in Flanders. It is located in the Denderstreek within the southeast of East Flanders and belongs to the Arrondissement of Aalst...
. On January 1, 2010 Erpe-Mere had a total population of 19,280. The total area is 34.03 km² which gives a population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 567 inhabitants per km². The current mayor of Erpe-Mere is Hugo De Waele, from the CD&V (Christian Democratic) party.
History
The municipality was formed in 1975 by the merger of the eight sub-municipalities of today, but the sub-communities Erpe and Mere initially disagreed on the new name for the merged municipality. While Erpe had the largest area, Mere was central in the entire area and had more inhabitants. As a compromise they choose the double name Erpe-Mere.Geography
The municipality is bordered to the north by Lede, in the east by AalstAalst, Belgium
Aalst is a city and municipality on the Dender River, 19 miles northwest from Brussels. It is located in the Flemish province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the city of Aalst itself and the villages of Baardegem, Erembodegem, Gijzegem, Herdersem, Hofstade,...
and Haaltert
Haaltert
Haaltert is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Denderhoutem, Haaltert proper, Heldergem and Kerksken. On January 1, 2006 Haaltert had a total population of 17,255. The total area is 30.30 km² which gives...
, in the south by Herzele
Herzele
Herzele is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Borsbeke, Herzele proper, Hillegem, Ressegem, Sint-Antelinks, Sint-Lievens-Esse, Steenhuize-Wijnhuize and Woubrechtegem. On January 1, 2006 Herzele had a total...
and in the west by Sint-Lievens-Houtem
Sint-Lievens-Houtem
Sint-Lievens-Houtem is a Dutch-speaking municipality of Belgium. It is located in the in the Denderstreek and at the edge of the Flemish Ardennes, the hilly southern part of the province of East Flanders .It is named after Saint Livinus , a Christian saint believed to have been buried...
. Erpe-Mere is located north of the foothills of the Flemish Ardennes
Flemish Ardennes
The Flemish Ardennes is an informal name given to a hilly region in the south of the province of East Flanders, Belgium.The area is distinct from the Ardennes, which is situated further to the south in Wallonia, France and Luxembourg....
, in the region Denderstreek
Denderstreek
The Denderstreek or Denderland is a region in the heart of Belgium. It is named after the river Dender. Though the river stretches over three provinces, Hainaut, East Flanders and Flemish Brabant, the region called after the river is situated in East-Flanders. The Dutch word streek means region....
. The area north of the N9 (Aalst-Ghent) is between 10 to 30 meters high, the area between the N9 and E40 (Brussels-Ghent) is between 25 to 50 meters high and the area south of it has hills peaks up to 80 meters. The most famous of them is the Gotegemberg in Mere, not for his height of 68 meters, but for its slope of 18% making it a popular challenge for cyclists.
The territory is traversed by two brooks that both bear the name Molenbeek. The Molenbeek from the Upper Scheldt crosses Burst, Bambrugge, Ottergem, Vlekkem and Erondegem before it flows into the Scheldt. The Molenbeek-Ter Erpenbeek flows into the Dender.
The Romans knew early there was white natural stone called Vlaamse Arduin or Lediaanse Steen in Steenberg of Bambrugge. This white natural stone was suitable as a foundation for the masonry of Roman villas and as building material for columns and capitals of the Roman temples. From about the 11th or 12th century there was already extracted white sandstone in Bambrugge (Steenberg). The common types of white natural stone in Brabant in the 16th to 17th Century were extracted in Steenberg. Extraction continued until after World War II. Today it's the administrative center of Erpe-Mere.
There is a 205 hectare nature reserve called Den Dotter
Den Dotter
Den Dotter is a 205 hectare nature reserve in the sub-municipalities of Aaigem and Heldergem in the East Flemish Denderstreek...
in the sub-municipalities of Aaigem
Aaigem
Aaigem is a village belonging to the municipality of Erpe-Mere. It is located in the province of East Flanders, Belgium. The village has some 2000 inhabitants. Aaigem was an independent municipality with an area of 7.32 square kilometers till 1976....
(municipality Erpe-Mere) and Heldergem (municipality Haaltert
Haaltert
Haaltert is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Denderhoutem, Haaltert proper, Heldergem and Kerksken. On January 1, 2006 Haaltert had a total population of 17,255. The total area is 30.30 km² which gives...
).
File:Gemeentehuis Erpe-Mere.jpg|The town hall of Erpe-Mere, at Steenberg in Bambrugge
File:Sporthal Erpe-Mere.jpg|The sports hall of Erpe-Mere, at Steenberg in Bambrugge
File:Bibliotheek Erpe-Mere.jpg|The library of Erpe-Mere, at Steenberg in Bambrugge
File:Vijver Steenberg Erpe-Mere.jpg|The pool of Steenberg in Bambrugge
Traffic
Erpe-Mere has an exit to the A10 / E40 and a regional railway station on the railway line Kortrijk - Oudenaarde - Zottegem - Erpe - Mere - Aalst - Brussels. Also the N9 (Gentsesteenweg), the N442 (Leedsesteenweg) and the N46 (Oudenaardsesteenweg) cross the municipality.File:Autosnelwegbrug Mere.jpg|The motorway bridge (E40) of Mere over the Oudenaardsesteenweg
File:Spoorwegbrug Erpe.jpg|The railway bridge of Erpe over the Oudenaardsesteenweg
Landmarks
- The water tower of the Tussengemeentelijke Maatschappij der Vlaanderen voor Watervoorziening.
Mills
Landmarks include the mills of the municipality, through which runs the Denderroute South and the Molenbeekroute. Due to the geography of the area, there are eleven water mills in Erpe-Mere, with Erpe-Mere having the most water mills in Belgium, seven of which are protected by law. One mill was largely demolished, but there are still remains of this mill and the mill house is still intact. Another mill was also converted into a house. On the Koudenberg, one of the highest hills of the community, there is a windmill that is protected by law. It was re-mounted on its base in 2006 after being restored in 2004 by a studio in Roeselare. The Kruiskoutermolen was restored in 2006 and is operational. It can be visited by appointment with the tourist service.| Place | Name(s) | Address | Type | Protected | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaigem | Engelsmolen Molen te Dalhem Molen te Dalme |
Engelsmolen 1 | Overshot watermill | Yes | It was originally a wheat mill, oil mill and a flax attrition mill Later on it was only a wheat mill |
| Aaigem | Ratmolen Waterrad |
Ratmolenstraat 42 | Overshot watermill | Yes | It was originally a wheat mill and an oil mill Later on it was only a wheat mill |
| Aaigem | Zwingelmolen | Aaigembergstraat 10 | Overshot watermill | No | It was originally a flax attrition mill Later on it became a chicory mill The mill wheel has been removed It has been renovated as a house |
| Bambrugge | Egemmolen Meuleken Tik Tak |
Everdal 21 | Overshot watermill | No | Wheat mill The mill wheel has been removed The mill house is used as a country cottage |
| Bambrugge | Molens Van Sande Kasteelmolen |
Prinsdaal 33 | Overshot watermill | No | It was originally a wheat mill and a compulsion mill Later on it was just a wheat mill The mill wheel has been removed It is now an industrial flour mill |
| Erpe | Cottemmolen | Molenstraat 36 | Overshot watermill | Yes | It was originally a wheat mill and an oil mill Later on it was only a wheat mill |
| Erpe | Van Der Biestmolen | Dorpsstraat 3 | Overshot watermill | No | Wheat mill |
| Mere | De Graevemolen | Bosstraat 25 | Overshot watermill | Yes | Wheat mill and an oil mill |
| Mere | Gotegemmolen | Gotegemstraat 1 | Overshot watermill | Yes | Wheat mill |
| Mere | Kruiskoutermolen Jezuïtenmolen Molen Van Der Haegen |
Schoolstraat | Post windmill with open foot | Yes | Wheat mill |
| Mere | Molen te Broeck 't Hof Schuurke |
Wilgendries 6 | Overshot watermill | Yes | Wheat mill |
| Ottergem | De Watermeulen | Ruststraat 10-12 | Overshot watermill | Yes | It was originally a wheat mill and an oil mill Later on it was only a wheat mill |
File:Engelsmolen Aaigem.JPG|Engelsmolen at Aaigem
File:Engelsmolen Aaigem rad.JPG|Mill wheel of the Engelsmolen at Aaigem
File:Ratmolen Aaigem.JPG|Ratmolen at Aaigem
File:Ratmolen Aaigem rad.JPG|Mill wheel of the Ratmolen at Aaigem
File:Zwingelmolen Aaigem.jpg|Zwingelmolen at Aaigem
File:Zwingelmolen Aaigem beek.JPG|Place where the mill wheel of the Zwingelmolen once was at Aaigem
File:Egemmolen Bambrugge Molenhuis.JPG|Mill house of the Egemmolen at Bambrugge
File:Egemmolen Bambrugge overblijfselen.JPG|Remains of the Egemmolen at Bambrugge
File:Molens Van Sande Bambrugge vooraanzicht.JPG|Front view of the Molens Van Sande at Bambrugge
File:Molens Van Sande Bambrugge zijaanzicht.JPG|Side-view of the Molens Van Sande at Bambrugge
File:Molens Van Sande Bambrugge beek.JPG|Place where the mill wheel of the Molens Van Sande once was at Bambrugge
File:Cottemmolen Erpe vooraanzicht.JPG|Front view of the Cottemmolen at Erpe
File:Cottemmolen Erpe zijaanzicht.JPG|Side-view of the Cottemmolen at Erpe
File:Cottemmolen Erpe rad.JPG|Mill wheel of the Cottemmolen at Erpe
File:Van Der Biestmolen Erpe.JPG|Van Der Biestmolen at Erpe
File:Van Der Biestmolen Erpe rad.JPG|Mill wheel of the Van Der Biestmolen at Erpe
File:De Graevemolen Mere vooraanzicht.jpg|Front view of the De Graevemolen at Mere
File:De Graevemolen Mere zijaanzicht.jpg|Side-view of the De Graevemolen at Mere
File:De Graevemolen Mere rad.jpg|Mill wheel of the De Graevemolen at Mere
File:Gotegemmolen Mere.JPG|Gotegemmolen at Mere
File:Gotegemmolen Mere rad.JPG|Mill wheel of the Gotegemmolen at Mere
File:Kruiskoutermolen Mere.JPG|Kruiskoutermolen at Mere
File:Molen te Broeck Mere.JPG|Molen te Broeck at Mere
File:Molen te Broeck Mere rad.JPG|Mill wheel of the Molen te Broeck at Mere
File:De Watermeulen Ottergem vooraanzicht.JPG|Front view of the De Watermeulen at Ottergem
File:De Watermeulen Ottergem achteraanzicht.JPG|Rear view of the De Watermeulen at Ottergem
File:De Watermeulen Ottergem rad.JPG|Mill wheel of the De Watermeulen at Ottergem
File:De Watermeulen Ottergem binnenwerk.JPG|The De Watermeulen inside at Ottergem
Churches
File:AaigemKerk2.JPG|Church of Aaigem
File:Kerk Bambrugge.jpg|Church of Bambrugge
File:Kerk Burst 1.jpg|Church of Burst
File:Kerk Erondegem 1.jpg|Church of Erondegem
File:Kerk Erpe.jpg|Church of Erpe
File:Kerk Mere 1.jpg|Church of Mere
File:Kerk Ottergem 2.jpg|Church of Ottergem
File:Kerk Vlekkem.jpg|Church of Vlekkem
Sports
Erpe-Mere once had six football clubs that belonged to the Royal Belgian Football Association. There are still four left: KRC Bambrugge, KFC Olympic Burst, FC Mere and SK Aaigem. Oranje Erpe and Olympia Erondegem merged into KVC Erperondegem that was some years later absorbed by FC Mere. Each year the Steenbergcross, the first international cross-country race, is held at Steenberg in Bambrugge.Trivia
In the 1990s Walter Baele played on the show Rosa on TV 1 the character Rosa Vermeulen, an older female inhabitant of Erpe-Mere.External links
- Official website only available in DutchDutch languageDutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...