GERAARDSBERGEN

'Geraardsbergen' () is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Geraardsbergen proper and the towns of Goeferdinge, Grimminge, Idegem, Moerbeke, Nederboelare, Nieuwenhove, Onkerzele, Ophasselt, Overboelare, Schendelbeke, Smeerebbe-Vloerzegem, Viane, Waarbeke, Zandbergen and Zarlardinge. On January 1st, 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 'Freddy De Chou', from the SP-A (Socialist) party.

Contents

History

Places of interest

External link

History

Geraardsbergen is one of the oldest cities in Belgium. In 1068 Geraardsbergen received as one of the first communities in Western Europe the status of city.
Geraardsbergen was destroyed in 1381 by Walter IV of Enghien and his troops. The legend goes that during the siege the people of Geraardsbergen threw some of their food which was left over the city wall. By this they wanted to show that they had enough food to survive a siege for a long time. This bravado not withstanding, the city was still captured by Enghien's troops. This event lives further in the city. Every year during carnaval the city organizes on top of the Oudenberg (111m) the 'krakelingenworp' to celebrate this historical event.
Geraardsbergen is also famous for 'de muur van Geraardsbergen' (the wall of Geraardsbergen), which is famous in cyclism.

Places of interest

★ The ''wall'', a steep street paved with cobblestones, climbed every year by cyclists during the Ronde van Vlaanderen.

★ Manneken Pis, the oldest such statue (older than the more famous one in Brussels)

External link

★ Official website - Only available in Dutch