Zichem | |
|---|---|
  Zichem Location in Belgium | |
| Coordinates:51°00′N4°59′E / 51.000°N 4.983°E /51.000; 4.983 | |
| Country | Belgium |
| Region | Flemish Region |
| Community | Flemish Community |
| Province | Flemish Brabant |
| Municipality | Scherpenheuvel-Zichem |
| Postal codes | 3271 |
| Area codes | 013 |
| Website | [1] |
Zichem is a village of the town ofScherpenheuvel-Zichem in the Belgian province ofFlemish Brabant. Zichem was an independent municipality until the municipal redistribution of 1977.
Zichem belonged to Maria van Loon-Heinsberg, who was a descendant of the Counts of Loon. After her marriage in 1440 toJan IV of Nassau, Zichem became part of the county ofNassau-Dillenburg.
Before the outbreak of theEighty Years' War, Zichem was a thriving town. During the siege of Zichem in 1578 byAlexander Farnese, almost the entire garrison was killed. In 1580, Zichem was hit by an earthquake which toppled the castle's keep. On October 8, the Staatsen retook Zichem. In 1599, a large ignited city fire put a permanent end to the town, and the town was destroyed by the fire.[1]
TheDemer River that flows through the city forms the border between the Kempen region in the north and the Hageland region in the south.
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The television seriesWij, Heren van Zichem was based on several conjoined stories byErnest Claes. Some of the filming for the series took place in the city.
Two films were also made "De Witte" (1934) byJan Vanderheyden with a.o.Jef Bruyninckx, and "De Witte van Sichem" byRobbe De Hert (1980).
Ernest Claes (1885-1968), writer
Peter Jan Beckx (1795-1887), superior of the Jesuits.
