Erpe

Erpe
Village
Erpe-Mere in East-Flanders

Localisation of Erpe in Erpe-Mere

Coat of arms

Localisation of Erpe in the community of Erpe-Mere in the arrondissement of Aalst in the province of East-Flanders.
Country Belgium
Region Flanders
Province  East Flanders
Arrondissement Aalst
Municipality Erpe-Mere
Area
  Total 8.28 km2 (3.20 sq mi)
Elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Population (2003)
  Total 4,903
  Density 592/km2 (1,530/sq mi)
  Source: NIS
Postal code 9420

Erpe is a sub-municipality of Erpe-Mere in Flanders. It is located on the Molenbeek-Ter Erpenbeek in the Denderstreek in the southeast of East Flanders and belongs to Arrondissement of Aalst. The sub-municipality is bordered by the sub-municipalities of Mere, Ottergem and Erondegem and the municipalities Lede (sub-municipalities Impe and Lede) and Aalst (sub-municipalities Aalst and Nieuwerkerken). Erpe has 4903 inhabitants as of 1 January 2003 and an area of 8.28 km. The population density is 592 inhabitants / km ².

History

Erpe was first mentioned in a document of 1057, although the village is probably much older. The name is derived from the word Erpo. Between the 18th and 19th Century the population of Erpe grew steadily. In 1769 there were 1032 inhabitants, in 1801 there were 1638 inhabitants, and by 1893 the village had 2394 inhabitants. By the end of the 19th Century, there were two water mills in the village, a windmill, two breweries and a vinegar maker.

Landmarks

The Cottemmolen is located at the Molenstraat 36. It is an overshot watermill which is protected. It was originally a wheat mill and an oil mill, but later on it was only a wheat mill.

The Van Der Biestmolen is located at Dorpsstraat 3. It is an overshot watermill which is not protected and now functions as a wheat mill.

Tourism

Through Erpe runs the Molenbeekroute. The Molenbeekroute is a cycle track network, known primarily for the mills of the municipality Erpe-Mere and two brooks that can be found there, which both have the name Molenbeek (mill brook).

Sport

Erpe had 2 football clubs FC Edixvelde and FC Oranja Erpe at the Royal Belgian Football Association. The national clubhouse of the motorcycle club Blue Angels in Belgium is located in Erpe.

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