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Asse | |
|---|---|
 St Martin's Church (Sint-Martinuskerk) | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
 Asse in the Province of Flemish Brabant | |
 Interactive map of Asse | |
  Asse Location in Belgium | |
| Coordinates:50°54′N04°12′E / 50.900°N 4.200°E /50.900; 4.200 | |
| Country | Belgium |
| Community | Flemish Community |
| Region | Flemish Region |
| Province | Flemish Brabant |
| Arrondissement | Halle-Vilvoorde |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Koen Van Elsen (CD&V) |
| • Governing parties | CD&V,N-VA |
| Area | |
• Total | 50.22 km2 (19.39 sq mi) |
| Population (2018-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 32,958 |
| • Density | 656.3/km2 (1,700/sq mi) |
| Postal codes | 1730, 1731 |
| NIS code | 23002 |
| Area codes | 052 - 02 |
| Website | www.asse.be |
Asse (Dutch pronunciation:[ˈɑsə]ⓘ) is amunicipality located in theBelgian province ofFlemish Brabant. It comprises the towns of Asse proper,Bekkerzeel,Kobbegem,Mollem,Relegem andZellik. Asse is also situated in thePajottenland. As of 2020, Asse had a total population of 32,958. The total area is 49.64 km2 which gives apopulation density of circa 660 inhabitants per km2.
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Asse (formerly spelt "Assche") was probably inhabited by theCeltic tribe of theNervii. The name itself probably comes from a pre-Celtic word meaning "water" (cf Esch-, Es- and Axe- prefixes elsewhere in Europe). It was probably inhabited from an early date; stone tools have been found in various locations. The fertility of the soil and the relief which rises above the wetter plains of present-day Flanders would also suggest that this would have been an early area of settlement.
From the middle of the first century, aRoman military road connected it to the capital of the Roman province ofNervii inBavay (Bagacum Nerviorum). It continued northwards as far as the naval port at present-dayRumst, with various side roads to the East and West. It is possible that there was a Roman military camp to the south west of the present town centre in what is now known as "borgstad", though its role has not been clearly proven.[citation needed]
What is sure is that Asse grew to be a substantial settlement or vicus at an, at least locally, important road junction. Though no Roman buildings are extant there have been frequent archaeological finds including in 2007 a pottery and in 2008 a section of a (perhaps intra-urban) Roman road.[citation needed] It is possible that there was local cult ofEpona as a large number ofclayhorsefigurines, presumablyvotive offerings, have been found.
It is presumed that theGermanic language, which evolved into present-dayDutch, was introduced during theFrankish invasions in the late fourth and fifth centuries. Place-name study would at least suggest that but there are no extant written sources.[citation needed]
During theCarolingian period Asse was part of the region(gouw) ofBrabant. During the period of theViking invasions it would seem that there was a relatively important fortified site (see theVita Berlindis) in Asse. From 1085 or 1086 Asse was part of the Duchy of Brabant under the Dukes ofLeuven. The local vassal of the Duke was known as the "Heer van Asse" (i.e. the Lord of Asse) who was the Duke's hereditary standard bearer.
Asse was situated on the cross roads of both north–south as well as east–west trade routes, having a fertile, easily cultivated and well-drained soil. It therefore grew to be a regionally important centre and a relatively important military-strategic one. Asse has often been the subject of military campaigns and has been recorded as having been burnt down several times.[citation needed]
The St Martins church gained some local fame as a centre of pilgrimage connected to the miraculous blossoming of a tree in which a Host had been hidden and the equally miraculous appearance of a cross – the Miracles of the Holy Cross. During this period much of the power was inherited by the descendants ofJohn II of Cottereau, Lord of Assche, he placed some important coloured windows[2] in the church and was buried there. His descendants today still are family of the currentMarquess of Assche.
In continuation of its role as seat of an important judicial court under theAncien Régime, Asse was made capital of a canton during theFrench Revolutionary and Napoleonic Period.[citation needed]
Lacking any mineral resources, and being far from any navigable watercourses and being in close proximity to other larger centres such asAalst,Dendermonde andBrussels, Asse never developed into an important commercial, political or industrial centre but remained a locally important market town. There was somebrewing and marketing of the localhop production.[citation needed]
It is now acommuting town forBrussels with a number oflight industrial and commercial activities.
Media related toAsse at Wikimedia CommonsPlaces adjacent to Asse | |
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| Halle-Vilvoorde |  | |
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| Leuven | ||
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