Vrasene
Vrasene is a village in the municipality of Beveren in the Belgian province of East Flanders. It is located about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) west of Antwerp.[2]
Vrasene | |
|---|---|
Village | |
Street view with Holy Cross Church | |
Vrasene Location in Belgium | |
| Coordinates: 51°13′09″N 4°11′41″E / 51.2192°N 4.1947°E | |
| Country | Belgium |
| Region | Flemish Region |
| Province | East Flanders |
| Municipality | Beveren |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.10 km2 (5.44 sq mi) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Total | 4,227 |
| • Density | 300/km2 (780/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET |
History edit
Vrasene is located on a hill which is a remnant of an old dune stretching from Stekene to Zwijndrecht. The area around Vrasene was never a noble possession or a fief. The name probably means "settlement on the (former river) Verre". In 1136, the monastery of Salegem was founded in Vrasene and the monks started to cultivate the land. A church has been known to exist in Vrasene since 1183. In 1624, the monastery was destroyed during the religious wars. During the 18th century, Vrasene was a centre of clog production.[3][4]
In 1845, the village of Meerdonk separated from Vrasene and formed its own municipality.[3] During World War I, the polders around the village were inundated to halt the German progress. During the occupation, the village was part of the so-called Etappegebiet, a military area where 188 bunkers were constructed to guard against a British invasion or Dutch attack. In September 1918, the entire male population was held hostage in the church after a local police officer who allegedly collaborated with the Germans was murdered.[5]
Vrasene was an independent municipality until 1977 when it was merged with Beveren as part of the fusion of municipalities in Belgium.[6]
Buildings edit
The Holy Cross church was first mentioned in 1183. In 1448, the church was redesigned into a three aisled Gothic church. The square tower was added between 1450 and 1455. The church was extended in 1877, and declared a monument in 1942.[4][7]
Notable people edit
- Ruben Apers (born 1998), racing cyclist[8]
- Laura Waem (born 1997), artistic gymnast[9]
Gallery edit
- Bunkers in the meadow
- Former brewery. Nowadays a residential house
- Retirement home
References edit
- ^ a b "Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 46003B". Statistics Belgium. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "Distance Vrasene, Beveren, BEL -> Antwerpen, BEL". Distance.to. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Vrasene". Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Vrasene". Waasland (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "Vrasene". Beverenbezet (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "Beveren". Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "Parochiekerk Heilig Kruis met kerkhof". Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "Ruben Apers". Pro Cycling Stats. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "Laura Waem: 'Een leuk tussendoortje'". Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 May 2022.