Waarloos Explained

Official Name:Waarloos
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Belgium
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Belgium
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Type3:Municipality
Subdivision Name:
Subdivision Name1:Flemish Region
Subdivision Name2:Antwerp
Subdivision Name3:Kontich
Area Total Km2:4.72
Population As Of:2021
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:1,860
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:CET
Coordinates:51.1038°N 4.4494°W

Waarloos is a village and deelgemeente (sub-municipality) of the municipality of Kontich in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. The village is located about south of the city of Antwerp.[2]

History

Waarloos was first mentioned in 1188 when the church became part of Lobbes Abbey. The heerlijkheid (landed estate) belonged to the Lordship of Mechelen. The village was mainly an agricultural community.[3]

In 1880, Maes Brewery was established in Waarloos by Egied Maes. Their main product was Maes pils which became one of the best selling beers in Belgium. From 1970 onwards, production of other beers stopped and Maes pils was their only product. In 1988, the brewery merged into Alken-Maes.[4] In 2003, the brewery in Waarloos closed and production was transferred to Alken.[5] In 2008, Maes became a brand of Heineken.[6]

In 1907, a railway station opened on the Mechelen to Antwerp-South railway line. The line closed in 1968.[7] Waarloos used to an independent municipality. In 1977, it was merged into Kontich.[8]

Buildings and sights

The St Michiel Church is a three aisled church in Gothic Revival style. The first church at the location has been known to exist in 1149. The current church dates from 1855, when the 16th century church was demolished except for the tower. The church was severely damaged during World War I and restored between 1922 and 1923. It was again damaged during World War II and restored between 1945 and 1947 and in 1951.[9]

Notable people

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 11024B . Statistics Belgium . 11 May 2022 .
  2. Web site: Distance Waarloos, Kontich, BEL -> Antwerpen, BEL . Distance . 11 May 2022 . nl.
  3. Web site: Waarloos . Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed. 11 May 2022 . nl.
  4. Web site: Deel 2: De expansie van de brouwerij onder leiding van Theo Maes (1969-1993) . Liesje Van Hecke . eThesis . 11 May 2022 . nl.
  5. Web site: WAARLOOS: intieme dorpskom . Museum Kontich . 11 May 2022 . nl.
  6. News: Heineken vult de witte plekken op zijn kaart . de Volkskrant . 26 January 2008 . 11 May 2022 . nl . subscription.
  7. Web site: L. 25A : (Mechelen) Y Vrouwvliet - Antwerpen-Zuid . Belgische Spoorlijnen . 11 May 2022 . nl.
  8. Web site: Kontich . Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed. 11 May 2022 . nl.
  9. Web site: Parochiekerk Sint-Michiel met kerkhof . Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed. 11 May 2022 . nl.
  10. Web site: John Doms . In Memoriam . 11 May 2022 . nl.