Heist-op-den-Berg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Heist-op-den-Berg
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 Heist-op-den-Berg
Location in Belgium
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| Country | Belgium | ||
| Community | Flemish Community | ||
| Region | Flemish Region | ||
| Province | Antwerp | ||
| Arrondissement | Mechelen | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 86.46 km2 (33.38 sq mi) | ||
| Population
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| • Total | Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1,575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | ||
| Postal codes |
2220-2223
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| Area codes | 015, 014, 016, 03 | ||
Heist-op-den-Berg (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌɦɛist ɔb də(m) ˈbɛr(ə)x]) is a town in Belgium. It is located in the Antwerp province. The name "op-den-Berg" means "on the hill."
This town includes Heist-op-den-Berg itself. It also has several smaller areas called hamlets. These are Heist-Goor, Heist-Station, Zonderschot, Heist-Centrum, and Bruggeneinde. There are also villages like Booischot (with Pijpelheide), Hallaar, Itegem, Schriek, and Wiekevorst.
Contents
History of Heist-op-den-Berg
How the Hill Was Formed
The 48-meter-high hill in Heist was created a long time ago. This happened during the early part of the Ice Age. You can see old objects from this time at the local museum. These objects show that people lived here even in prehistoric times.
Early Settlements and Christianity
After the Romans left this land, Germanic peoples arrived. This was in the 3rd and 4th centuries. Soon after, people started to become Christian. The village of Itegem was likely the first to be founded. It is located right by the Nete River. A document from 976 mentions Itegem.
Building Chapels and Castles
Chapels were built in Hallaar and Itegem in the 12th century. This was also when the Duchy of Brabant began. The Heist area was part of this duchy. Around the year 1200, a military fort was built. This fort was at the spot where the Ter Laken castle stands today. Schriek was founded in 1125 and got its own chapel in 1260. The main church in Heist was built in 1340. These two religious buildings were damaged during wars around 1600.
Farming and Pilgrimages
During the Middle Ages, farming was very important. Many large farms were built. Some of these farms still exist today. For example, the Wimpelhoeve in Wiekevorst dates back to the 12th century. The Pandoerenhoeve in Schriek was built in 1624. In the 17th and 18th centuries, a special wooden statue became famous. It was a statue of the Virgin and Child in the Hallaar church. Many people went on a pilgrimage to see it.
Modern Heist-op-den-Berg
The current city hall was built in 1844. This was 14 years after Belgium became an independent country. Today, Heist-op-den-Berg is mostly a place where people live. It also provides services to the towns around it.
Events in Heist-op-den-Berg
- Heistse Pijl: This is a famous cycling race.
- Flea Market: Heist-op-den-Berg is well known for its Sunday morning flea market. Here, people sell all sorts of used items.
Places to See in Heist-op-den-Berg
- Church Square: The historical center of the city is the Kerkplein (Church Square). You can see an old water pump here. There is also a train museum (Treinmuseum) and a regional farming museum (Heemmuseum).
- Old Buildings: Around the city, you can find an old windmill. It is the last one in the Mechelen area. There are also many churches, chapels, and old farms. Many of these farms still have their original water pumps.
- Castles: Heist-op-den-Berg, especially Itegem, has several castles. Most of these castles are privately owned. This means they are not open for the public to visit.
Famous People from Heist-op-den-Berg
- Ivo van Hove: A well-known theatre director.
- Rik Torfs: A former Rector of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, a big university.
- Silvy De Bie: A singer born in 1981.
- Leo Laurens: Born in 1952, he was a professional darts player.
- Paul Michiels: A singer and songwriter born in 1948.
- Filip Verlinden: Born in 1982, he is a kickboxer.
- Anak Verhoeven: Born in 1996, she is a rock climber.
See also
In Spanish: Heist-op-den-Berg para niños
