Temse

Temse
Municipality

Flag
Coat of arms
Temse
Location in Belgium
Location of Temse in East Flanders
Coordinates: 51°07′N 04°12′E / 51.117°N 4.200°E / 51.117; 4.200Coordinates: 51°07′N 04°12′E / 51.117°N 4.200°E / 51.117; 4.200
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
Region Flemish Region
Province East Flanders
Arrondissement Sint-Niklaas
Government
 • Mayor Luc De Ryck (CD&V)
 • Governing party/ies CD&V, NV-A
Area
 • Total 39.92 km2 (15.41 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2017)[1]
 • Total 29,515
 • Density 740/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Postal codes 9140
Area codes 03
Website www.temse.be

Temse (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈtɛmsə]) is a municipality on the left side of the River Scheldt in East Flanders, Belgium.

The municipality comprises the towns of Elversele, Steendorp, Temse and Tielrode. On January 1, 2012, Temse had a population of 28,809. The total area is 39.92 km² which gives a population density of 722 inhabitants per km².

History

The name Temse is derived from the Gallo-Roman/Gaul Tamisiacum or Tamasiacum. This is also reflected in the French name for the town, Tamise. The main sights include the church of Our Lady, whose steeple was designed built by the famous sculptor Adriaan Nijs, who died in Temse, and who also sculpted the wooden pulpit. Inside the church the relics of Amalberga of Temse are venerated. Close by stands the old "Gemeentehuis" (town hall), built in Flemish Eclectic style, housing a carillon in its main tower.

Between 1829 and 1994, Temse was home to the Boelwerf shipyard (locallly lknown as "De Zaat") which for much of the twentieth century dominated the local economy and employment market.

After the last ship was completed in 1996, the shipyard's extensive terrain to the west of the town centre became available for redevelopment. The land was acquired in 2001 by a consortium of local construction firm Cordeel and three banks, and "Nieuw Temse" (New Temse) has since emerged as a whole new river-side town district and also the home of the new town hall. Local architect Pieter De Maeyer led the urban planning for the new district, and a number of high-profile architects were attracted for the design of a series of residential buildings along the river.

Main sights

  • Temse Bridge, road bridge in Belgium, originally designed by Gustave Eiffel.
  • Church of Our Lady, 17th century interior.
  • Old Town Hall ("Gemeentehuis"), in Flemish Eclectic style, completed in 1906

References

  1. ↑ Population per municipality as of 1 January 2017 (XLS; 397 KB)


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