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Vrasene

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Village in Flemish Region
Vrasene
Village
Street view with Holy Cross ChurchStreet view with Holy Cross Church
Vrasene is located in BelgiumVraseneVraseneLocation in Belgium
Coordinates: 51°13′09″N 4°11′41″E / 51.2192°N 4.1947°E / 51.2192; 4.1947
Country Belgium
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceEast Flanders
MunicipalityBeveren
Area
 • Total14.10 km (5.44 sq mi)
Population
 • Total4,227
 • Density300/km (780/sq mi)
Time zoneCET

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.

History

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.

In 1845, the village of Meerdonk [nl] separated from Vrasene and formed its own municipality. 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.

Vrasene was an independent municipality until 1977 when it was merged with Beveren as part of the fusion of municipalities in Belgium.

Buildings

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.

Notable people

Gallery

  • Bunkers in the meadow Bunkers in the meadow
  • Former brewery. Nowadays a residential house Former brewery. Nowadays a residential house
  • Retirement home Retirement home

References

  1. ^ "Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 46003B". Statistics Belgium. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  2. "Distance Vrasene, Beveren, BEL -> Antwerpen, BEL". Distance.to. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Vrasene". Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Vrasene". Waasland (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  5. "Vrasene". Beverenbezet (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  6. "Beveren". Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  7. "Parochiekerk Heilig Kruis met kerkhof". Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  8. "Ruben Apers". Pro Cycling Stats. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  9. "Laura Waem: 'Een leuk tussendoortje'". Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
Belgian municipality Beveren
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