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Veurne | |
|---|---|
City andmunicipality | |
.jpg) Veurne market square | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
 Location of Veurne inWest Flanders | |
 Interactive map of Veurne | |
  Veurne Location in Belgium | |
| Coordinates:51°04′N02°39′E / 51.067°N 2.650°E /51.067; 2.650 | |
| Country | Belgium |
| Community | Flemish Community |
| Region | Flemish Region |
| Province | West Flanders |
| Arrondissement | Veurne |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Peter Roose (Veurne Plus) |
| • Governing parties | CD&V, Veurne Plus |
| Area | |
• Total | 97.21 km2 (37.53 sq mi) |
| Population (2022-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 12,295 |
| • Density | 126.5/km2 (327.6/sq mi) |
| Postal codes | 8630 |
| NIS code | 38025 |
| Area codes | 058 |
| Website | www.veurne.be |
Veurne (Dutch pronunciation:[ˈvøːrnə]ⓘ;French:Furnes,pronounced[fyʁn]) is acity andmunicipality in theBelgianprovince ofWest Flanders. The municipality comprises the town of Veurne proper and the settlements ofAvekapelle [nl],Booitshoeke [nl],Bulskamp [nl],De Moeren (Belgium) [nl],Eggewaartskapelle [nl],Houtem,Steenkerke (West Flanders) [nl],Vinkem [nl],Wulveringem, andZoutenaaie [nl].
Veurne, in LatinFurna, is first found in 877 as a possession of theSaint Bertin Abbey inSaint-Omer. Around 890 AD, it was noted as a successful fortification against theViking raids. It soon was placed at the head of thecastellany of Veurne, a large territory counting 42 parishes and some 8 half-independent parishes, owing allegiance to theCount of Flanders. Veurne became a city in the 12th century. During the following century, trade with England flourished. In 1270, however, the relations with England came to a standstill and the city's economy went into a long decline; hence the nickname of the Veurne Sleepers. On August 20, 1297, theBattle of Veurne was fought in the ongoing struggle between the Flemish cities and the French king.
The gothic church of Saint Walburga and the tower of the church of Saint Nicolas, date from that period. Saint Walburga housed a chapter ofcanons. Saint Nicholas and Saint Denis (gone 18th century) were the two other parish churches and possessions of the Norbertine abbey of Saint Nicholas.
The 15th century saw the construction of a new city hall, which is known today as the Pavilion of theSpanish officers, from its use in the 17th century as military headquarters. As most of the "Westhoek" (the Western part of the county ofFlanders), the city and the neighbourghood strongly recessed during the economic and religious problems around 1566–1583. But when the town and thecastellany officially got together, the town flourished, thanks to the expanding agriculture of the agrarian region.
Most of the other historic buildings date from this time, the prosperous reign of the ArchdukesAlbert andIsabella around 1600.
In 1644 theCapucines organised a procession. Since 1646, this procession was organised by the "Sodales", a religious confraternity, that organised a crossway during Advent time, under the leadership of theNorbertine monk Jacob Clou. The hooded "Sodales" took a cross for penitence. This procession was expanded at the end of the 17th century with scenes from the Bible, and is the only one of his kind, remaining up to now in Flanders.
The second half of the 17th century was marked by the miseries brought to the region byLouis XIV’s wars.Vauban built heavy fortifications around the city, the outlines of which are still noticeable from the air today.Joseph II of Austria put them down and closed some of the religious institutions, putting a temporary end to the penitents’ procession, untilLeopold II of Austria allowed it again in 1790. Those few cloisters that were still operating were closed at theFrench Revolution.
From theBattle of Waterloo untilWorld War I, Veurne enjoyed a century of peace and prosperity. In 1831, Veurne was the first city to welcome Belgium's new king,Leopold I.
During World War I, Veurne was located within theYser pocket of Belgian resistance against theGerman troops. During theBattle of the Yser, the Veurne city hall became the headquarters of the Belgian troops underKing Albert I and a military hospital was set up in the city. In 1920, the French President,Raymond Poincaré, came to Veurne to award the city theCroix de guerre with palm.
Veurne suffered some damage duringWorld War II, mainly from Allied bombing but also from the strategic flooding that engulfed the whole area. Today, the city is a regional centre, which gives commercial, medical, and educational services to the surrounding communities while enjoying increasing tourist attention.
The annualBoeteprocessie (procession of the penitents) takes place every year on the last Sunday of July. This unique event includes cross-carrying, hooded penitents and other groups of participants who recreate thePassion ofJesus.
The municipality of Veurne comprises 11 "deelgemeentes". Veurne proper is the largest centre and has the largest population. The others are small rural villages:Avekapelle,Booitshoeke,Bulskamp, De Moeren,Eggewaartskapelle,Houtem,Steenkerke,Vinkem,Wulveringem andZoutenaaie. The municipality of Veurne has a total resident population of 11.701 (18/08/2015).
| # | Naam | Areakm2 | Population(18/08/2015) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Veurne | 22,67 | 8.635 |
| II | Booitshoeke | 3,35 | 97 |
| III | Avekapelle | 4,58 | 313 |
| IV | Zoutenaaie | 2,07 | 18 |
| V | Eggewaartskapelle | 4,90 | 163 |
| VI | Steenkerke | 11,79 | 381 |
| VII | Bulskamp | 8,03 | 695 |
| VIII | Wulveringem | 9,37 | 337 |
| IX | Vinkem | 5,27 | 320 |
| X | Houtem | 12,71 | 636 |
| XI | De Moeren | 11,58 | 106 |
 | Veurne borders the following villages and municipalities:
|
Places adjacent to Veurne | |
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| Bruges |  | |
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| Diksmuide | ||
| Kortrijk | ||
| Ostend | ||
| Roeselare | ||
| Tielt | ||
| Veurne | ||
| Ypres | ||
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| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
