Affligem Explained

Affligem
Map:Affligem Flemish-Brabant Belgium Map.svg
Map-Legend:Affligem in the Province of Flemish Brabant
Arms:Blason Affligem.svg
Flag:Affligem vlag.svg
Arrondissement:Halle-Vilvoorde
Nis:23105
Pyramid-Date:01/01/2006
0-19:21.92
20-64:62.09
65:15.99
Foreigners:1.81
Foreigners-Date:01/07/2005
Mayor:Walter De Donder (CD&V)
Majority:Lijst Burgemeester (CD&V), Open2040
Postal-Codes:1790
Telephone-Area:053 - 02
Web:www.affligem.be
Coordinates:50.9°N 10°W

Affligem (in Dutch; Flemish pronounced as /ˈɑfliɣɛm/; anciently written Afflighem) is a municipality located some 20km (10miles) west-north-west of Brussels in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant, not far from the city of Aalst and the important railway junction of Denderleeuw. Affligem is situated in the Pajottenland.

The municipality comprises the villages of Essene, Hekelgem and Teralfene (note that there is no village called Affligem proper). On 1 January 2006 it had 11,956 inhabitants. The total area is 17.7km2, giving a population density of 676 inhabitants per km2.

Historically, the village is best known for the Benedictine Affligem Abbey, founded in 1062.

Affligem abbey beers

The abbey of Affligem was founded around 1074, making it one of the oldest breweries and businesses in Belgium.[1] The label "anno 1074" on the Affligem beer bottles is based on Abbey's founding. The brand name is used under license from the monks of Affligem, by the Op-Ale brewery in the neighbouring village of Opwijk. The brewery is now owned by Heineken International, who have renamed it the Affligem brewery and market the beers internationally.

External links and sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Affligem's 'Make Beer, Not War' Ad Recounts Its Founding.