Overijse Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Overijse

Flag	Coat of arms

Overijse

Location in Belgium

Country

Flemish Community

Arrondissement

Halle-Vilvoorde

Area

• Total

44.43 km² (17.15 sq mi)

Population

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• Total

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Postal codes

3090

Area codes

02, 016

Website

www.overijse.be

Overijse (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈoːvərɛisə]) is a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is a suburb of the wider Brussels metropolitan area. The municipality comprises the town of Overijse proper, and the communities of Eizer, Maleizen, Jezus-Eik, Tombeek and Terlanen. On December 31, 2008, Overijse had a total population of 24,410. The total area is 44.43 km² (17.15 sq mi), which gives a population density of 549/km² (1,420/sq mi). Overijse is surrounded by an extensive woodlands (Sonian Forest), with paths for walking and cycling.

The official language is Dutch, as in the rest of Flanders. French-speaking residents who have migrated mainly from Wallonia or Brussels are represented by 8 members on the 27-seat local council. According to the 2008 census, Overijse was also home to 4,842 expatriates including 1,236 Dutch, 766 British, 505 Germans, 375 Americans, 311 French and 295 Italian.

In 1952, Albert Lootvoet, a local brewer started brewing Leffe beer. The Leffe beers were brewed in Overijse from 1952 until 1977, when the Artois breweries bought out the local brewer.

History
Events
Attractions
Twin towns
See also

History

Overijse draws its name from the nearby river, the IJse, that flows through the region. The oldest known name is Isca; the word is likely Celtic in origin, and translated means 'Water'. Overijse was the birthplace of the 16th century humanist Justus Lipsius, a professor at Leuven who was friend of the printer and publisher Plantin.

Events

Overijse has a traditional festival every year, held in August (Druivenfeesten). The festival commemorates the industry that shaped the area, namely cultivation of grapes (Dutch druiven). The Druivenkoers Overijse is a single-day road bicycle race during the festival. The Vlaamse Druivencross is a December cyclo-cross classic race.

Attractions

Historical sites include:

The Late Gothic St. Martinus Church with the nave (1489), the choir (1520), and quasi Romanesque towers from the 12th century.
IJse Castle (17th century) with a 16th-century facade and a 15th-century hunting pavilion; against the castle walls Kellebron from the 13th century.
Townhouse (1503–1505), restored in 1963.
By the beguinage (1264), a 15th-century Gothic castle.
In the village of Tombeek, the 16th-century Bisdom Castle with 12th-century towers.
Also in Tombeek, the Sanatorium Joseph Lemaire (1937), a modern building from architect Maxime Brunfaut.
In the village of Jezus-Eik, the Baroque Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk (Our Beloved Lady Church) with a choir from 1650 and a nave from 1667, restored in 2007.
Near Overijse there is a medium wave transmitter for the Belgian foreign radio service.