Cassel (Nord)
Cassel ( Kassel Dutch ) is a commune with 2287 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Nord, in the Nord -Pas -de- Calais, near the border with Belgium. It is located in the arrondissement of Dunkirk and is the capital of the canton of the same name.
Geography
The city is located on the 176 meter high hill Mont de Cassel, the highest point of French Flanders in the far north of France, about 30 kilometers south of Dunkerque and 20 kilometers northeast of Saint- Omer.
Neighboring communities of Cassel are Hardifort in the north, and Oudezeele Winnezeele in the northeast, Terdeghem in the East, Sainte -Marie- Cappel in the southeast, Hondeghem in the south, and Oxelaëre Bavinchove the southwest, Zuytpeene in the west and Wemaers -Cappel in the northwest.
History
The Romans built on the hill in the settlement area of the fort Menapii Castellum Menapiorum, which crossed several Roman roads. At the fort is a reminder of the city name, which goes back etymologically to castellum.
Cassel was the scene of several battles:
In October 1914, Cassel was the headquarters of General Ferdinand Foch.
- Abbey Cassel
- Fallen Memorial
- Mill Cassel
- Géant figure Reuze Papa
Traffic
From 1910 to 1934 tram linking the city with the train station.
Personalities
- William of Rubruk ( 1215 /20 to 1270 ), probably derived from the nearby Rubrouck
- Joseph Dominique Vandamme (1770-1830), Napoleon's General, born in Cassel
- Peter Dathenus, Flemish theologian, was born in Cassel