Puurs
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Puurs | |
---|---|
Town | |
Antwerp | |
Arrondissement | Mechelen |
Municipality | Puurs-Sint-Amands |
Area | |
• Total | 33.41 km2 (12.90 sq mi) |
Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 17,684 |
• Density | 530/km2 (1,400/sq mi) |
Time zone | CET |
Postal code | 2870 |
Dialing code | 03, 052 |
Puurs (Dutch pronunciation: . In 2021, Puurs had a total population of 17,684. The total area is 33.41 km2 (13 sq mi).
Puurs sits about 5 meters above mean sea level. Its geography shows only minor elevation differences. Puurs is mainly rural, with some low intensity industry development in the North alongside the N16 expressway. However, because of its proximity to the cities of Antwerp and Brussels (both within a 25 km (16 mi) radius) and its excellent accessibility, Puurs is developing increasingly into a residential town.
Effective 1 January 2019, Puurs and Sint-Amands were merged into the new municipality of Puurs-Sint-Amands.
History
Signs of habitation dating back to the
Arguably, the
Points of interest
Saint-Peter Church
Puurs' Saint-Peter Church is quite large and is hence sometimes referred to as the region's "cathedral". It was built in the 15th century, on the remains of a roman-style church. The baroque-style bell tower was added in the late 17th century. The classical center piece was completed in 1744.
Asparagus
The lands of Kalfort are widely renowned for producing the most delicious asparagus, and at the beginning of summer a festival is held in honour of this "white gold".
Beer
The internationally sold
Nazi Prison Camp
Fort Breendonk was used by the Nazis as a political prison camp. It is kept in its World War II state and is open for visiting. Fort Breendonk and its twin sister Fort Liezele (which now serves as a municipal recreational area) were initially built by the Belgian military just before World War I, as part of a string of fortresses (the National Redoubt) designed to protect the approaches to Antwerp. Since 1976, the site of the fort has been part of the municipality of Willebroek.
Heritage railway
The
COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing
Puurs is the location of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing hub in Europe. Starting in December 2020, vaccine doses were transported by armed cargo trucks and military-escorted planes, to facilities across the planet.
International relations
Twin towns - sister cities
Puurs was
On 13 November 2020, the municipality of Puurs-Sint-Amands suspended its 20-year-long partnership with the Polish town of Dębica because of the town's adoption of the Charter of The Rights of The Family, which, according to the Belgians, discriminates against LGBT people.[4]
Notable people
- Dina Tersago, former Miss Belgium (2001)
See also
References
- ^ a b "Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 12030". Statistics Belgium. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ "Partnerstwo Samorządów Siłą Europy". Europa Miast (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2016-08-09. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
- ^ "Dębica -Miasta Partnerskie" [Dębica - Partnership Cities]. Rząd Miejski w Dębicy - Współpraca - Europa Miast [Dębica town council in cooperation with Europa Miast] (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2011-10-11. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
- ^ "Belgijska gmina zawiesza 20-letnią współpracę z Dębicą" (in Polish). Retrieved 2020-11-14.
External links
- Official website - Only available in Dutch