Melsele

Melsele is a small town in the Belgian province of East Flanders, between the city of Beveren and the nearby town of Zwijndrecht. Tram route 3 which starts just outside the town connects it to Zwijndrecht and Antwerp.[2] Melsele can be reached by the E17 (France - Antwerp) and the E34 (Knokke-Heist - Antwerp).

Melsele
Town
Our Lady in Gaverland Chapel
Melsele
Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 51.22090°N 4.28152°E / 51.22090; 4.28152
Country Belgium
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceEast Flanders
MunicipalityBeveren
Area
 • Total18.46 km2 (7.13 sq mi)
Population
 (1976)[1]
 • Total7,077
 • Density380/km2 (990/sq mi)
Time zoneCET

History

Melsele is one of the oldest settlements of Waasland. Ceramics and coins have been found from the Roman period. The parish had been established before the year 1000. In 1375, dikes were constructed to protect the polder, however during the 14th and 15th century there were several floodings.[1]

The Church of Our Lady was built from 13th to the 17th century, and is a registered heritage site (beschermd erfgoed).[3]

In 1511, a miraculous Madonna statue was discovered under a lime tree near the hamlet Gaverland which from then on became a site of pilgrimage. The Our Lady in Gaverland Chapel was built at the site between 1862 and 1870.[4]

In 1977 the municipality was merged with Beveren as part of the fusion of municipalities in Belgium.[5]

Events

The Strawberry Festival is held annually five days after the Feast of the Ascension. It was originally conceived by Ivens de Melseelse, the local priest, to promote strawberries. It was a procession to Gaverland offering strawberries. After three years, the festival was cancelled. In 1963, three local sport clubs revived the festival, with a strawberry exhibition, performances and a Miss Strawberry competition.[6]

Notable people

References
  1. "Melsele". Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  2. "Geen tramverkeer tussen Melsele en Linkeroever door ontspoorde tram". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  3. "De gehele Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk". Inventaris Onroerend Erfgoed (in Dutch). Onroerend Erfgoed. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  4. "Kerken". Beveren (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  5. "Geschiedenis". Beveren (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  6. "Aardbeifeesten (Melsele (Beveren))". Landelijk Expertisecentrum voor Cultuur van Alledag (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  7. "Roland Verhavert op IFFR". IFFR (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  • Media related to Melsele at Wikimedia Commons
  • (in Dutch) beveren.be with a page on Melsele.
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