Sint-Denijs-Westrem (Dutch: [ˌsɪn dəˈnɛis ˈʋɛstrəm]; French: Saint-Denis-Westrem) is a sub-municipality of the city of Ghent located in the province of East Flanders, Flemish Region, Belgium. It was a separate municipality until 1977. On 1 January 1977, it was merged into Ghent.[1]

Sint-Denijs-Westrem
St Denis Church
St Denis Church
Coat of arms of Sint-Denijs-Westrem
Location of Sint-Denijs-Westrem
Map
Location of Sint-Denijs-Westrem in Ghent
Location of Sint-Denijs-Westrem in Ghent
Sint-Denijs-Westrem is located in Belgium
Sint-Denijs-Westrem
Sint-Denijs-Westrem
Sint-Denijs-Westrem is located in East Flanders
Sint-Denijs-Westrem
Sint-Denijs-Westrem
Coordinates: 51°01′17″N 3°40′08″E / 51.02139°N 3.66889°E / 51.02139; 3.66889
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
Region Flemish Region
Province East Flanders
ArrondissementGhent
MunicipalityGhent
Area
 • Total6.24 km2 (2.41 sq mi)
Population
 (2020-01-01)
 • Total5,545
 • Density890/km2 (2,300/sq mi)
Postal codes
9051
Area codes09

History

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Sint-Denijs-Westrem lies on the Roman road between Kortrijk and Ghent. Archeological digs on the Flanders Expo site have shown significant signs of settlement from prehistory through the Middle Ages.[2]

During the late Middle Ages the castles of Idewalle, Borluut, Darupt, Hof ten Broecke, Maaltekasteel were built in and around the Sint-Denijs-Westrem area.

In 1858, architect, artisan and designer Jean-Baptiste Bethune moved his studio from Bruges to Sint-Denijs-Westrem.[3]

The town square ("Gemeenteplein") was built between 1895 and 1899.

Until the 20th century the area was mainly agrarian and sparsely populated; from the second half of the 20th century on the village has been steadily more densely built up, with many castle grounds subdivided for housing development.

References

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  1. ^ "LISTE ALPHABETIQUE DES COMMUNES - Fusions de 1963 à 1977" (PDF).
  2. ^ Geschiedenis van Afsnee en Sint-Denijs-Westrem Accessed June 6, 2008.
  3. ^ "J.B. Bethune", De Stichting de Bethune
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