Zoutleeuw

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Zoutleeuw (French Léau ) is a Belgian city in Hageland in the Flanders region. The city lies on the River Kleine Gete, a tributary of Gete.

Origin of the name

Until the 16th century, the city was called " Leeuw ". The oldest recorded form of the name from the year 980 is " leuua ", which is derived from the Germanic " hlaiwa ", meaning " at the grave hills ". The current name " Zoutleeuw " is first mentioned in 1533. The suffix " zout " has been declared inconclusive to date. One view, he comes from the fact that Zoutleeuw long time was the most inland seaport, was imported into the salt. On the other view, the name comes along that the city had the right to levy a tax on salt.

History

Zoutleeuw lay on the major trade route during the Middle Ages from the 12th century Bruges and Cologne. Around 1130 a first city wall was built. 1312 Zoutleeuw was one of the seven liberal cities of the Duchy of Brabant and was known for its cloth manufacture. The city received numerous privileges of the Dukes of Brabant, but had to defend against attacks, including a second city wall was built around 1330 in return the territory.

The competition of English cloth industry and the rise Tienens as a new trading center, led the 15th and 16th century to the economic decline of the city. Zoutleeuw did not suffer the iconoclasm in the 16th century, nor under the French occupation troops, but on the other hand, under the plague and the billeting of a large Spanish garrison.

Also built on the south side of town citadel was unable to keep hostilities Zoutleeuw. In order to secure the territory, put one large areas under water, which in turn led to poverty and disease. Three fires in the 17th century eventually destroyed more than a hundred houses of the city.

1678 and 1701 Zoutleeuw was plundered and occupied by troops of Louis XIV. After the recapture in 1705, the city experienced a calmer period under the Austrian government.

Its importance as an outpost against attacks of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège lost Zoutleeuw as Brabant and Liege were annexed by France. After gaining independence of Belgium Zoutleeuw lost its city charter and received it back in 1985.

Zoutleeuw is today a small town, but its built heritage is still part of its once significant role. Its location between Haspengauw and Hageland makes Zoutleeuw today a center of attraction for tourists.

Coat of arms

Description: In the black escutcheon with a red sign head a golden rotbewehrter and rotbezungter lion.

Attractions

St. Leonardus Church

The church, the big market from the 13th to the 16th century is virtually the only church in Belgium with a late-Gothic interior remained intact since it was spared as one of the very few churches in Belgium from the iconoclasm and of the French occupation forces. It replaced a Romanesque chapel ( now a part lion ) was here in 1125 by Benedictine monks from Vlierbeek been built. Construction began in 1230 with the asymmetric towers and the west facade; followed by choir, northern transept and later in the 14th century southern transept and nave. Around 1450 the architect Matheus de Brabant Layens was involved with the St. Leonardus church. According to his plans, the vestry was added. In the church, there are numerous works of renowned artists, testifying how precious the Belgian churches must have been fitted before the iconoclasm. The St. Leonarduskirche and their towers are since 1999 a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Town hall

The City Council of Zoutleeuw (1530-1538) was built by the architect Brabant Rombout Keldermans in a mixture of late Gothic and early Renaissance. Originally, the town hall had a tower, which was, however, canceled in 1796. The present brick tower dates from the year 1895.

Vinne

Vinne is a 130 hectare area on the western edge Zoutleeuws and once one of the largest fen of Flanders. Earlier this peat was cut. 1841 began with the draining. After the cultivation of poplars to match production proved to be not profitable, in 1974 bought the former province of Brabant, the piece of land to put it in a nature reserve convert. Since 1999, working on the restoration of the lake originally present. End of May 2005 Het Vinne was finally opened festive.