Kapellen, Belgium

Kapellen (Dutch pronunciation: [kɑˈpɛlə(n)], old spelling: Cappellen) is a municipality in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality lies in the Campine in the northern part of the province.

For several other locations in Western Europe with the same name, see Kapellen.

Kapellen
Municipality
Town centre
Flag
Coat of arms
Kapellen
Location in Belgium
Location of Kapellen in the province of Antwerp
Coordinates: 51°19′N 04°26′E
CountryBelgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceAntwerp
ArrondissementAntwerp
Government
 • MayorDirk Van Mechelen (open VLD)
 • Governing party/iesopen VLD, N-VA
Area
 • Total37.11 km2 (14.33 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
 • Total26,771
 • Density720/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Postal codes
2950
Area codes03
Websitewww.kapellen.be

Kapellen consists only of the town of Kapellen proper. On January 1, 2018, Kapellen had a total population of 26,771. The total area is 37.11 km² which gives a population density of 720 inhabitants per km². Kapellen consists out of multiple neighborhoods, Kapellen Center, the eastern part of Putte, Kapellenbos, Hoogboom and Zilverenhoek. A number of neighbourhoods in Kapellen have a residential character and are characterized by their villaparcs, exclusive landhouses, and beautiful castles. Many who flee the always busy town enjoy Kapellen's peaceful nature.

The town's football club is R. Cappellen F.C. and has played at the national level for many years.

History

The communities that are now part of Kapellen date back to the 13th century. Hoogboom can be found as Hobonia on documents from 1267. Hoghescote, the current center can be seen 10 years after Hoogboom in Ertbrand, which has now become Putte. De neighborhood Zilverenhoek, only a part of Kapellen since 1983, has its first appearance in 1844 on a cadastral plan.

Since its origin Kapellen has been a part of lordship Ekeren. Since the 13th century, parts of the territory have regularly changed ownership. Eventually, in 1714 the entire lordship Ekeren came under the ownership of one family, one of the lords Salm-Salm. During the French occupation, Kapellen became, in 1795, part of the municipality Stabroek until it, eventually, in 1800, became its own municipality. Since then they have slowly been adding neighborhoods of Ekeren, Hoevenen and Stabroek to the territory of Kapellen. The current municipal borders have been determined since 1983 when the neighborhoods Hoogboom and Zilverenhoek from Ekeren became part of Kapellen.[2]

In comparison to its worldly power, its spiritual power has had a less complex history. The parish of Hoghescote became part of the St. Bernard's Abbey of Hemiksem. Until then the parish depended on the Saint-Lambertus church of Ekeren.

The church of Kapellen is the oldest building in the municipality. Until the 14th century a chapel sufficed to help the people who lived there. The church has been built up and renovated further throughout the ages. The chancel for example dates back to the 14th century while the Transept was built in the 16th century. During the 19th century, the tower and the interior of the church were renovated in with a neogothic look.

Monument for the fallen soldiers.

The further history of Kapellen is characterized by periods of growth and poverty. During the Fall of Antwerp Kapellen suffered greatly. All important buildings and 90% of all houses were destroyed. During the Twelve Years' Truce there was a short resurgence of the municipality until 1623, when the plague raged. The real resurgence had to wait until 1674 when the church was rebuilt.

All this abruptly ended with the start of World War I. The forced service for the German army and the Spanish flu caused many deaths. After the war, there was a brief recovery period until 1930, when a crisis fell over the municipality. Recovery had to wait until after World War II. The municipality Kapellen was freed on October 4, 1944 by the Canadian battalion Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal.[3]

Demographics

19th century
Year180618161830184618561866187618801890
Population9139031445250424532760303130613489
Growth −1.10% +60.02% +73.29% −2.04% +12.52% +9.82% +0.99% +13.98%
Results of the census on December 31

20th century until the reorganization of municipalities
Year190019101920193019471961197019801982
Population4072528262917926968011.47413.35214.30414.648
Growth +16.71% +29.72% +19.10% +25.99% +22.13% +18.53% +16.37% +7.13% +2.40%
Results census on December 31 until 1970 + January 1, 1980 + December 31, 1982

After the reorganization of municipalities
Year19831985199019952000200520062007
Population22.47122.54923.97725.29025.67125.97525.94826.104
Growth +53.41% +0.35% +6.33% +5.48% +1.51% +1.18% −0.10% +0.60%
Population on January 1 – Source: NIS
Year20092010201120122013201420152016201720182019
Population26.41026.42326.43426.53226.48326.52926.64226.74526.75026.77126.850
Growth +1.17% +0.05% +0.04% +0.37% −0.18% +0.17% +0.43% +0.39% +0.02% +0.08% +0.30%
Population on January 1 – Source: NIS + municipality Kapellen (2010–2015)

Transport

Past

In 1759 a cobblestone road was built between Merksem and Kapellen. These days this (no longer cobblestone) road is known as the Kapelsesteenweg (on the territory of Ekeren and Brasschaat) or the Antwerpsesteenweg (on the territory of Kapellen). In 1853 the railroad Antwerp-Rotterdam was built. Thanks to this railroad the first steam powered train could run through Kapellen railway station in 1854. Because of the railroad connection many rich people from Antwerp decided to build villas in the municipality. The local railways reached Kapellen railway station on July 31, 1927 and the tram was extended to the border of Putte on December 1, 1928.[4] The level crossing of the tram and the railroad was there for just short period of time. On March 1, 1934 the railway connection between Hoevenen and Kapellen is opened and from February 1, 1938 forward trams between Antwerp and Putte rode through Hoevenen. (Line 72, between September 1, 1936 and February 1, 1938 no passenger trams rode between Kapellen and Putte). Since August 31, 1936 the tram from Merksem was limited to just before the railroad crossing (line 65). On May 26, 1967 the last tram rode through Kapellen, as line 65.

Famous inhabitants

References
  1. "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  2. Bruno Verbergt, Ik ben van Ekeren. Ekeren-Hoogboom. Hoe een deel van Ekeren niet met Antwerpen fuseerde in 1983 (CC Ekeren, 23 mei 2013)
  3. "Kapellen herdenkt bevrijding". Nieuwsblad.
  4. Rail Atlas Vicinal, Uitgever: Rail memories. Door Stefan Justens & Dick van der Spek
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