Oppuurs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Oppuurs
Village
Former town hall
Oppuurs Location in Belgium
Country	Belgium
Region	Flemish Region
Province	Antwerp
Municipality	Puurs-Sint-Amands
Area
• Total	4.79 km2 (1.85 sq mi)
Population  (2021)
• Total	2,048
• Density	427.6/km2 (1,107.4/sq mi)
Time zone	CET

Oppuurs is a small village located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. It is currently part of a larger area called the municipality of Puurs-Sint-Amands. As of 2021, about 2,048 people live in Oppuurs.

Discovering Oppuurs' Past

Oppuurs was first mentioned in old records in the year 1414. Back then, it had a slightly different name: Oppuedersel.

Early Owners of Oppuurs

In the 1400s, a family called Van der Calsteren owned Oppuurs. Later, it was taken over by the vander Meeren family. After that, a woman named Walburge van der Aa became the lady (a type of owner) of Oppuurs. In 1563, she married Joost Snoy.

The Snoy Family's Influence

Even though Walburge remarried after Joost died, Oppuurs eventually went to their son, Philippus Snoy. This is how the Snoy family came to own the village.

On March 22, 1664, King Philip IV gave Jean Charles Snoy the special title of Baron. This also meant that Oppuurs became a Barony, which was a special area ruled by a Baron.

Later, in 1701, Charlotte Marie-Florence Snoy, who was the Baroness of Oppuurs, married Charles-Philippe d'Hangouart. He was also a important person, known as a Count (and later a Marquess) of Avelin. When Charlotte passed away in 1726, Charles-Philippe became the Baron of Oppuurs.

In 1777, the properties were sold by Francois Augustin d'Hangouart. Philippe Ghislain Snoy bought them, and so the Snoy family once again became the Barons of Oppuurs.

Oppuurs Becomes a Municipality

However, in 1795, the old system of lordships (areas ruled by lords or barons) was ended. A new way of governing was introduced, with areas called municipalities. On May 7, 1818, Idisbalda-Ghislain Snoy was chosen by the king to be the first mayor of Oppuurs.

Oppuurs used to be part of the municipality of Puurs. But in 1803, it became its own separate municipality. It stayed independent until 1976. At that time, Oppuurs, along with another village called Lippelo, joined to become part of the municipality of Sint-Amands.

Population Changes Over Time

The number of people living in Oppuurs has changed quite a bit over the years.

Population in the 1800s

In the early 1800s, around 893 people lived in Oppuurs in 1806. By 1830, the population had grown to 1023. It stayed around 900 to 1000 people for the rest of the century, reaching 1097 by 1890.

Population in the 1900s

The population continued to grow in the 20th century. In 1900, there were 1066 inhabitants. By 1930, this number increased to 1319. In 1970, about 1692 people lived in Oppuurs. Just before it joined Sint-Amands in 1976, the population was 1654.

Gallery

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  Church of Saints John and Amand

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  U-shaped farm

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  Former school

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  Shop in Oppuurs