Diksmuide

Diksmuide
Municipality
Town Hall and St Nicholas Church
Flag Coat of arms
Diksmuide Location in Belgium
Location of Diksmuide in West Flanders
Coordinates: 51°02′N 02°52′E / 51.033°N 2.867°ECoordinates: 51°02′N 02°52′E / 51.033°N 2.867°E
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 km^2 (57.68 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2013)[1]
• Total	16,432
• Density	110/km^2 (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

• The belfry contains a 30-bell carillon and is one of the several belfries of Belgium and France that are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
• The City Hall and neighbouring Saint Nicolas Church were completely rebuilt after World War I in the Gothic style of the 14th and 15th centuries.
• The "Trench of Death" (Dodengang in Dutch), about 1.5 km from the center of the city, preserves the trench setting where Belgian soldiers fought under the most perilous conditions until the final offensive of September 28, 1918.
• A peace monument, the IJzertoren (Yser Tower), was built after the First World War in the twenties. It was demolished in 1946 because during the Second World War it had been the scene of Nazi ceremonies and collaboration. A new tower was built in the 1950s. The tower houses a World War I museum owned by the United Nations, where it is possible among other things to experience the odour of mustard gas. The IJzertoren is also the scene of the yearly IJzerbedevaart (Pilgrimage of the Yser), a celebration of peace and of Flemish political autonomy. During World War II, it was used for Nazi-inspired meetings. After the war it still had problems with neo-Nazis from all over Europe. They were a minority, but the press emphasised this minority participation. However, after many years the organisers succeeded in banning neo-Nazis. The more radical Flemish faction now organizes the IJzerwake (Yser Vigil).
• Several military cemeteries are located around Diksmuide, including the Vladslo German war cemetery, which is now the resting place for more than 25,000 German soldiers and has the famous sculpture of the 'Mourning parents' by Käthe Kollwitz.

Notable inhabitants

• Maria Doolaeghe (1803–1884), writer
• Wim Vansevenant, record three-time Tour de France Lanterne rouge winner

Twin cities

• Ellesmere, United Kingdom
• Ploemeur, France
• Rottach-Egern, Germany
• Finnentrop, Germany

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

• Official city website (Dutch)