Oudenaarde Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Oudenaarde

Flag	Coat of arms

Oudenaarde

Location in Belgium

Country

Flemish Community

Arrondissement

Oudenaarde

Area

• Total

68.06 km² (26.28 sq mi)

Population

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• Total

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Postal codes

9700

Area codes

055

Website

www.oudenaarde.be

Oudenaarde is a city and municipality in Belgium. It is located in the Flemish province of East Flanders. The name "Oudenaarde" means "old field".

The municipality includes the main city of Oudenaarde and several smaller towns. These towns are Bevere, Edelare, Eine, Ename, Heurne, Leupegem, Mater, Melden, Mullem, Nederename, Volkegem, Welden, and part of Ooike.

From the 15th to the 18th century, Oudenaarde was famous for making beautiful tapestries. These were woven artworks used to decorate walls.

A Look at Oudenaarde's History
Famous Oudenaarde Beer
Places to See in Oudenaarde
Exciting Events
Local Newspaper
Sports in Oudenaarde
Famous People from Oudenaarde
Oudenaarde's Sister Cities
Images for kids
See also

A Look at Oudenaarde's History

Early Beginnings in Ename

The story of Oudenaarde began around the year 974. At that time, Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor, built a fort at Ename. This fort was meant to protect his kingdom from attacks. Ename quickly grew into a large town.

However, Ename was later destroyed in 1034. Many people from Ename then moved across the Scheldt river to a new place: Oudenaarde.

Oudenaarde's Golden Age

In the 11th century, Oudenaarde became very successful. This was thanks to the Scheldt river, which helped with trade. The city also had a thriving cloth and tapestry industry. Many churches, monasteries, and hospitals were built during this time.

Oudenaarde was a strong supporter of the counts of Flanders. It was even known as the "residence of the nobles." The city built its famous Town Hall between 1526 and 1537. This beautiful building can still be seen today.

In 1522, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, stayed in Oudenaarde. His daughter, Margaret of Parma, who later became a ruler of the Netherlands, was born here.

Challenges and Wars

During the Protestant Reformation, a time of big religious changes, Oudenaarde sided with Protestantism. In 1582, the city was attacked and captured. Many merchants and workers had to leave.

Oudenaarde's glory days did not fully return. The French army attacked the city several times. Its defenses were improved over the years, even by famous military engineer Vauban. In 1708, a major battle of the War of the Spanish Succession, called the Battle of Oudenaarde, happened nearby.

The city also suffered damage during World War I. You can find several monuments around town that remember this time. During World War II, Nazi German forces occupied the town in May 1940. British forces liberated Oudenaarde on September 5, 1944.

Famous Oudenaarde Beer

Liefmans Oud Bruin

Oudenaarde is well-known for making a special kind of beer called Oud bruin. This beer is sometimes called Oudenaarde Oud bruin. A famous brewery in the town, Liefmans Brewery, makes it.

Oud Bruin means "Old Brown" in Dutch. This name comes from the long time it takes to make the beer, sometimes up to a year. It goes through a special process that gives it a slightly sour taste.

Places to See in Oudenaarde

The Town Hall is a beautiful building with a tall Belfry. It was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1999. Inside, you can see a special collection of Oudenaarde tapestries.
The Church of Our Lady of Pamele was started in 1234. The Church of St Walburga is near the market square. Both are interesting to visit.
Oudenaarde is also home to the Centrum Tour of Flanders. This is a museum all about the famous Tour of Flanders cycling race.
Since 2008, the village of Mater, part of Oudenaarde, has been home to Belgium's smallest craft brewery, the Smisje Brewery.

Exciting Events

Oudenaarde hosts a beer festival every June.
There's an open-air music festival in the summer.
An agricultural fair takes place in February.
Every ten years, the main market square hosts one of the biggest flower displays in Flanders. The last one was in 2005.

Local Newspaper

Excerpt from the Gazette of Oudenaarde from the year 1855. Preserverd in the Ghent University Library.

Oudenaarde used to have its own newspaper called the Gazette van Audenaerde.

Sports in Oudenaarde

The main football (soccer) club in Oudenaarde is K.S.V. Oudenaarde.

The famous Tour of Flanders voor Vrouwen, a women's bike race, starts in Oudenaarde each spring. The men's Tour of Flanders race has often passed through Oudenaarde. Since 2012, it has even finished in the town. The race often includes the challenging Koppenberg hill, which is in the Oudenaarde municipality. The Koppenbergcross is another bike race that happens on this hill.

Rhinos Rugby Oudenaarde is a rugby club in Oudenaarde. In 2018, it was voted the coolest club in Flanders!

Famous People from Oudenaarde

Margaret of Parma (1522-1586), who was a ruler of the Netherlands.
Adriaen Brouwer (1605-1638), a well-known painter.
Arthur Decabooter (1936-2012), a famous cyclist.
Mario De Clercq (born 1966), a cyclist who won the world cyclo-cross championship three times.
Frank De Bleeckere (born 1966), a well-known football referee.
Brigitta Callens (born 1980), who was Miss Belgium in 1999.
Kenny De Ketele (born 1985), a world champion track cyclist.