Diksmuide
| Dixmuide | |
|---|---|
| Region: | Flanders |
| Province: | West Flanders |
| District: | Dixmuide |
| Area: | 149.40 km² |
| Population: | 15,733 (2006) |
| Population density: | 105 /km² |
Diksmuide (Dixmude in French) is a Belgian city and municipality in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Diksmuide proper and the former communes of Beerst, Esen, Kaaskerke, Keiem, Lampernisse, Leke, Nieuwkapelle, Oostkerke, Oudekapelle, Pervijze, Sint-Jacobs-Kapelle, Stuivekenskerke, Vladslo and Woumen.
Most of the area west of the city is a polder riddled with drainage trenches. The major economical assets of the region are agriculture and farming, producing the famous butter of Diksmuide.
History
Medieval origins
The 9th-century, Frankish settlement of Dicasmutha laid at the mouth of a stream near the Yser (IJzer in Dutch). By the 10th century, a chapel and market place were already established. The city’s charter was granted two centuries later and defensive walls built in 1270. The economy was already then based mainly on agriculture and farming, with milk products and linen driving the economy. From the 15th century to the French Revolution, Diksmuide was affected by the wars that confronted the Netherlands, France, Spain, and Austria, with a corresponding decline in activity. The 19th century was more peaceful and prosperous.
Marked by World War I
At the outset of World War I, German troops crossed the Belgian border near Arlon, then proceeded hurriedly towards the North Sea to secure the French ports of Calais and Dunkirk. By the time the German army arrived near Diksmuide in October 1914, the Belgians had opened the gates of the Yser river and flooded the area. As a result, the river became a front line throughout the First World War. The city was first attacked on October 16, 1914, which marked the beginning of the Battle of the Yser. By the time the fighting ended, the town had been reduced to rubble. It was, however, completely rebuilt in the 1920s.
Sights
- The belfry contains a 30-bell carillon and is one of the several Belfries of Belgium and France that are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
- The City Hall and neighbouring Saint Nicolas Church were completely rebuilt after World War I in the Gothic style of the 14th and 15th century.
- The “Trench of Death” (Dodengang in Dutch), about 1.5 km from the center of the city, preserves the trench setting where soldiers fought under the most perilous conditions until the final offensive of September 28, 1918.
- A peace monument, the IJzertoren, was built nearby at the end of World War I, then rebuilt after World War II. The tower houses a United-Nations-owned, World War I museum, where you can, among other things, experience the odour of mustard gas. The IJzertoren is also the scene of the yearly IJzerbedevaart, a celebration of peace and of Flemish political autonomy. Since World War II, it has been associated with neo-nazi meetings. The more radical Flemish faction now organizes the IJzerwake.
- Several military cemeteries are located around Diksmuide, including the German cemetery in Vladslo, which is now the resting place for more than 25,000 German soldiers.
Notable inhabitants
- Maria Doolaeghe, (1803-1884), writer
Twin cities
United Kingdom: Ellesmere
France: Ploemeur
Germany: Rottach-Egern- Germany: Finnentrop
External links
- Official city web site (in Dutch, with a tourism section in French, German, and English)
