Zottegem
Zottegem (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈzɔtəɣɛm], Sotteghem and Sottegem in older English and French language sources) is a municipality located in Belgium and more particularly in Flanders, in the province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the town of Zottegem proper and the villages of Elene, Erwetegem, Godveerdegem, Grotenberge, Leeuwergem, Oombergen, Sint-Goriks-Oudenhove, Sint-Maria-Oudenhove, Strijpen and Velzeke-Ruddershove. On January 1, 2018, Zottegem had a total population of 26,373. The total area is 56.66 km² which gives a population density of 470 inhabitants per km².
Zottegem | |
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the market square, the town hall, the former deanery and Lamoral Count of Egmont's statue | |
Flag Coat of arms | |
Zottegem Location in Belgium
Location of Zottegem in East Flanders | |
Coordinates: 50°52′N 03°48′E | |
Country | Belgium |
Community | Flemish Community |
Region | Flemish Region |
Province | East Flanders |
Arrondissement | Aalst |
Government | |
• Mayor | Jenne De Potter (CD&V) |
• Governing party/ies | CD&V, N-VA |
Area | |
• Total | 56.66 km2 (21.88 sq mi) |
Population (2018-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 26,373 |
• Density | 470/km2 (1,200/sq mi) |
Postal codes | 9620 |
Area codes | 09 |
Website | www.zottegem.be |
Zottegem is part of the hilly geographical area of the Flemish Ardennes (Vlaamse Ardennen); the hills and cobblestone streets (Paddestraat) are regular locations in the springtime cycle classics of Flanders. The city is known for its ties with Lamoral, Count of Egmont; Lamoral has a castle (Egmontkasteel), a museum (Egmontkamer) and two statues in the centre of Zottegem. He is buried in a crypt (Egmontcrypte) under the church. Leeuwergem castle in Elene is an 18th-century stately home; Breivelde castle in Grotenberge is surrounded by an English landscape garden. The archaeological museum in Velzeke exhibits findings from Gallo-Roman culture.
Places of interest
Church of the Assumption of Our Lady, Lamoral, count of Egmont's crypt Lamoral, Count of Egmont's statue Lamoral, Count of Egmont's castle The Egmontkamer museum Breivelde Castle Leeuwergem castle Kloosterbos nature reserve Steenbergse bossen nature reserve
Famous inhabitants
- Urbain Braems, football player and manager, lives in Zottegem
- Bart De Clercq, cyclist
- Patricia de Martelaere (b. in Zottegem), writer
- Anne De Paepe, former rector of Ghent University
- Jessy De Smet, singer
- Lamoral, Count of Egmont, general and statesman, is buried in Zottegem
- Tim Matthys, football player, lives in Zottegem
- Laurent Merchiers, politician
- Lyne Renée (b. in Zottegem), actress
- Paul Van Cauwenberge, former rector of Ghent University
- Magali Uytterhaegen (b. in Zottegem), actress (The curiosity of Chance)
External links
Media related to Zottegem at Wikimedia Commons - Official website - Information available in Dutch and limited information available in English, French and German