Sint-Denijs-Westrem
Coordinates: 51°01′17″N 3°40′08″E / 51.02139°N 3.66889°E / 51.02139; 3.66889
CountryBelgium
Province East Flanders
MunicipalityGhent
Area
  Total6.24 km2 (2.41 sq mi)
Population
 (2007)
  Total5,134
  Density823/km2 (2,130/sq mi)
 Source: NIS
Postal code
9051

Sint-Denijs-Westrem is a village in the Belgian province of East Flanders. It is part of the city of Ghent, lying to the southwest of the city center, between Sint-Martens-Latem, De Pinte, Zwijnaarde and Afsnee.

History

Sint-Denijs-Westrem lies on the Roman road between Kortrijk and Ghent. Archeological digs on the Flanders Expo site have shown significant signs of settlement from prehistory through the middle ages.[1]

During the late Middle Ages the castles of Idewalle, Borluut, Darupt, Hof ten Broecke, Maaltekasteel were built in and around the Sint-Denijs-Westrem area.

In 1858, architect, artisan and designer Jean-Baptiste Bethune moved his studio from Bruges to Sint-Denijs-Westrem.[2]

The town square ("Gemeenteplein") was built between 1895 and 1899.

Until the 20th century the area was mainly agrarian and sparsely populated; from the second half of the 20th century on the village has been steadily more densely built up, with many castle grounds subdivided for housing development.

Notes

51°1′17″N 3°40′8″E / 51.02139°N 3.66889°E / 51.02139; 3.66889


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