Zevergem Explained

Official Name:Zevergem
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Belgium
Pushpin Label Position:right
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:East Flanders
Subdivision Name3:Ghent
Area Total Km2:8.77
Population As Of:2021
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:1,763
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:CET
Coordinates:50.979°N 3.6933°W

Zevergem is a village and deelgemeente (sub-municipality) of De Pinte in East Flanders, Belgium. It is located on the Scheldt about south of Ghent.[2]

History

The village was first mentioned in 964 as Sewaringhem, and means "settlement of the people of Saiwirwar (person)". The village is located between the Scheldt and the edge of the heath areas. Zevergem was part of a heerlijkheid (landed estate), but the countryside belonged to the more important Lords of Welden who owned a castle near the area. The village heerlijkheid was awarded to the Saint Peter's Abbey in Ghent in 1232.[3] In 1716, Welden was elevated to barony.[4] Zevergem was an independent municipality until 1977 when it was merged into De Pinte.[5]

Buildings and sights

Welden Castle was originally known as Hof te Seevergem. Only the castle walls and one tower remain of the medieval castle. The current water castle with double moat and walls was built around 1700 in late Baroque style. The castle was restored in 1927. In 1933, a gate house in Rococo style was moved from Hotel de Hemptinne to the castle grounds.[3] [6]

The Our Lady Church is a single aisled church to the east of the village square. The lower part of the tower contains 12th century elements. The church was extended and modified in 1768, and between 1852 and 1855. During World War I, the tower was blown up and the church was severely damaged. It was restored in 1922.[7]

Notable people

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 44012B . Statistics Belgium . 7 May 2022 .
  2. Web site: Distance Zevergem, De Pinte, BEL -> Ghent, BEL . Distance.to . 7 May 2022 .
  3. Web site: Zevergem . De Pinte . 7 May 2022 . nl.
  4. Web site: Zevergem . Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed . 7 May 2022 . nl.
  5. Web site: De Pinte . Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed . 7 May 2022 . nl.
  6. Web site: Kasteeldomein van Welden . Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed . 7 May 2022 . nl.
  7. Web site: Parochiekerk Onze-Lieve-Vrouw met kerkhof . Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed . 7 May 2022 . nl.
  8. Web site: Lucien Mathys . Cycling Archives . 7 May 2022 . nl.