Geraardsbergen

Geraardsbergen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɣeːraːrdzbɛrɣə(n)], French: Grammont) 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, Grimminge, Idegem, Moerbeke, Geraardsbergen, Nederboelare, Nieuwenhove, Onkerzele, Ophasselt, Overboelare, Schendelbeke, Smeerebbe-Vloerzegem, Viane, Waarbeke, Zandbergen and Zarlardinge.
Geraardsbergen
Municipality
Town hall, museum and Marbol fountain
Flag
Coat of arms
Geraardsbergen
Location in Belgium
Location of Geraardsbergen in East Flanders
Coordinates: 50°46′N 03°52′E
CountryBelgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceEast Flanders
ArrondissementAalst
Government
 • MayorGuido De Padt (Open VLD)
 • Governing party/iesCD&V, Open VLD
Area
 • Total79.71 km2 (30.78 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
 • Total33,403
 • Density420/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Postal codes
9500, 9506
Area codes054
Websitewww.geraardsbergen.be

On January 1, 2006 Geraardsbergen had a total population of 31,380. The total area is 79.71 km² which gives a population density of 394 inhabitants per km².

The current mayor of Geraardsbergen is Guido De Padt, from the Open VLD (liberal) party.

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.[2]

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.[3]

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.[4]

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

Geraardsbergen is known for the mattentaart, a type of sweet pastry. This is made with matten paste or cheese curd.[5]

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.[5][6]

Notable individuals
  • Daniël van Geraardsbergen (1116–1196)
  • William of Moerbeke (1215–1286), first translator of Aristotle's works into Latin
  • Guillebert de Mets (1415–1460), scrivenist and scribe
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References
  1. "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. "Stad Geraardsbergen - Geschiedenis van de stad Geraardsbergen". Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2010-03-22.
  3. "Stad Geraardsbergen - Krakelingen & Tonnekensbrand (Eng)". Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2010-03-22.
  4. Cavalié Mercer, Journal of the Waterloo Campaign Kept throughout the Campaign of 1815, Da Capo Press, 1995
  5. "Summary, Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 'Geraardsbergse Mattentaart'". Official Journal of the European Union. 2006-01-06. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  6. "Mattentaart". Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2009-03-04.

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