Kaprijke

Kaprijke (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈkɑprɛi̯kə]) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Kaprijke proper and Lembeke. On January 1, 2006, Kaprijke had a total population of 6,128. The total area is 33.71 km² which gives a population density of 182 inhabitants per km².

Kaprijke
Municipality
Kaprijke town hall
Flag
Coat of arms
Kaprijke
Location in Belgium
Location of Kaprijke in East Flanders
Coordinates: 51°13′N 03°36′E
CountryBelgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceEast Flanders
ArrondissementEeklo
Government
 • MayorPieter Claeys
 • Governing party/iesCD&V / NV-A / Groen /onafhankelijken
Area
 • Total33.71 km2 (13.02 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
 • Total6,429
 • Density190/km2 (490/sq mi)
Postal codes
9970, 9971
Area codes09
Websitewww.kaprijke.be

History
Kaprijke on the Ferraris map (around 1775)

The name Kaprijke comes from Gallo-Roman name "Capricum" which means "Land of Caprius". It used to be the site of a Roman garrison, which can still be seen at the square in front of the old town hall.

During the 14th and 15th century, the cloth industry flourished in Kaprijke. However, during the period of religious strife during the 16th century, the merchants and cloth makers withdrew to safer locations. Following the resolution of the problems, the merchants and weavers did not return, leading up to the decline of the city of Kaprijke into a rural village during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Kaprijke is known for its beautiful castle built in 1550, Hof ter Kruisen. It was commissioned by Andries of Baviere and finished in 1628.

In 1976, Kaprijke merged with another town called Lembeke, for a total population of around 6200 people.

Lembeke is the home of Lotus Bakeries.

Famous inhabitants
  • Kaprijke is divided into two towns. 1: Kaprijke proper and 2:Lembeke
  • Kaprijke, church: parochiekerk Onze Lieve Vrouw Hemelvaart
  • Lembeke, church: parochiekerk Sint Egidius

References
  1. "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
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