Comprehensive information and links about Belgium Aalst

Aalst is a municipality on the Dender River, 19 miles northwest from Brussels. It is located in the Flemish province of East Flanders and in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. The municipality comprises the city of Aalst itself and the villages of Baardegem, Erembodegem, Gijzegem, Herdersem, Hofstade, Meldert, Moorsel and Nieuwerkerken.

table

History

The first historical records about Aalst relate to the year 840, when it is described as a dependancy of the Abbey of Lobbes. Construction of the town hall began in the middle of the 12th century. Several manus from this period still survive. The city was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 1360. The town was soon rebuilt and a new belfry in gothic was build in the 15th century. Aalst was taken by France in the War of Devolution and was held by the French from 1667 to 1706. Nowadays, it is the capital city of the province of East-Flanders.

Demographics

On January 1st, 2005 Aalst had a total population of 77,007. The total area is 78.12 km² which gives a population density of 985.81 inhabitants per km².

Events

Aalst is famous for its carnaval festivities, celebrated every year in February. A i is elected, who is allowed to "rule" the city for one day. A big parade crosses the city on Sunday, with about 70 groups of costumed volunteers and parade cars. Carnaval Tuesday (by tradition, the day before Ash Wednesday), is known as the day of the 'Voil Jeannetten' (literally: "the Dirty Jennies"), i.e. men dressed as women.

, dates back to to 1480. It contains a famous painting by Rubens, "Saint Rochus beseeching Christ to terminate the Plague at Aalst".Aalst is also proud about a beautiful tabernacle (dated 1605), which features sculptures made by Hieronymus Duquesnoy the Elder.