Diksmuide

"Dixmude" redirects here. For other uses, see Dixmude (disambiguation).
Diksmuide
Municipality

Town Hall and St Nicholas Church

Flag

Coat of arms
Diksmuide

Location in Belgium

Coordinates: 51°02′N 02°52′E / 51.033°N 2.867°E / 51.033; 2.867Coordinates: 51°02′N 02°52′E / 51.033°N 2.867°E / 51.033; 2.867
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
Region Flemish Region
Province West Flanders
Arrondissement Diksmuide
Government
  Mayor Lies Laridon (CD&V)
  Governing party/ies CD&V, SP.A-Open
Area
  Total 149.40 km2 (57.68 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2013)[1]
  Total 16,432
  Density 110/km2 (280/sq mi)
Postal codes 8600
Area codes 051
Website www.diksmuide.be

Diksmuide (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌdɪksˈmœy̯də]; French: Dixmude) is a Belgian city and municipality in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Diksmuide proper and the former communes of Beerst, Esen, Kaaskerke, Keiem, Lampernisse, Leke, Nieuwkapelle, Oostkerke, Oudekapelle, Pervijze, Sint-Jacobs-Kapelle, Stuivekenskerke, Vladslo and Woumen.

Most of the area west of the city is a polder riddled with drainage trenches. The major economic activity of the region is dairy farming, producing the famous butter of Diksmuide.

History

Medieval origins

The 9th-century Frankish settlement of Dicasmutha was situated at the mouth of a stream near the Yser (Dutch: IJzer). The name is a compound of Dutch dijk (dike) and muide (river mouth). By the 10th century, a chapel and market place were already established. The city’s charter was granted two centuries later and defensive walls built in 1270. The economy was already then based mainly on agriculture, with dairy products and linen driving the economy. From the 15th century to the French Revolution, Diksmuide was affected by the wars between the Netherlands, France, Spain, and Austria, with a corresponding decline in activity. The 19th century was more peaceful and prosperous.

World War I

At the outset of World War I, German troops crossed the Belgian border near Arlon, then proceeded hurriedly towards the North Sea to secure the French ports of Calais and Dunkirk. The Battle of the Yser started in October 1914. Thanks to the water the Belgians were able to stop the Germans; at the end of October, they opened the flood gates holding back the Yser river and flooded the area. As a result, the river became a front line throughout the First World War. The city was first attacked on October 16, 1914 and defended by Belgian and French troops, which marked the beginning of the battle. Colonel Alphonse Jacques led the troops that prevented Diksmuide from being taken by the German Army. Despite the heavy Belgian losses, the press, politicians, literary figures and the military itself created propaganda which formed public opinion into making the action look strategic and heroic.[2]

By the time the fighting ended, the town had been reduced to rubble. It was, however, completely rebuilt in the 1920s.

Sights

The IJzertoren in Diksmuide

Notable inhabitants

Twin cities

References

  1. Population per municipality on 1 January 2013 (XLS; 607.5 KB)
  2. Fichou, Jean-Christophe. "Les Pompons Rouges à Dixmude: L'Envers d'une Légende," Guerres Mondiales et Conflits Contemporains (2010), Issue 240, pp 5-21.

External links

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