Sint-Niklaas, situated in the province of East Flanders between the rivers Scheldt and Durme, is the center of the Waasland, the agricultural region to the northeast of Ghent. The town has important industrial and trading concerns and is a notable administration center. The largest branch of industry is textiles (weaving, knitwear and the production of carpets). Metal, wood and tobacco also play a part in its economy.
Sint-Niklaas lies at the crossing of two old trade routes, one led from Brabant to Zeeland, and the other linked Antwerp with Ghent and Bruges.
In 1217 the former trading place was raised to an independent parish with St Nicolas as its patron saint. In 1248 Margarete of Constantinople, Duchess of Flanders, gave the area of the present-day market place to the newly formed parish with the instruction that the huge area should be free of building for all time. In the 17th C. Sint- Niklaas grew to be an important center of textile working and extended its position in the following century. In 1804 it was raised to the status of a town under Napoleon I. By reason of its favorable position in the European economic area Sint-Niklaas developed in the 20th C. to one of the most important cities of Belgium.
The Grote Markt in Sint-Niklaas is one of the largest town squares in the country at approximately 3.2 ha. On it stands the Town Hall and the tower of Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk.
Behind the Parochiehuis rises Sint-Niklaaskerk, the church of the patron of the town, dedicated in 1238 and extended on several occasions in the 16th C. Notable features of the interior include the Baroque side altars of Hubert and Norbert van de Eynden as well as sculptures by Luc Fayd'herbe and a figure of Christ by Duquesnoy.
Address: Sint-Niklaaskerk, Sint-Niklaas , Belgium
Tips: The church museum can be visited only by arrangement (tel. 7 76 37 18).
The Waasland along the old Scheldt is a pleasant stretch of country crossed by canals and typical rows of poplar trees. Recently more modern industries have joined the old-established agricultural pursuits (including asparagus), traditional brickwork and cloth manufacturers.
The parish of Beveren lies in the center of the Waasland about 10km/6miles east of Sint-Niklaas. This area with its little undulating fields, many lakes and poplar trees is a favorite place for walking.
Lokeren lies 16km/10miles from Sint-Niklaas on the Durme. The most important branch of industry in the town is textiles, especially the production of linen.
Lokeren has a local history museum, several art galleries and a 49-bell carillon, endowed to the city in 1956.
Temse, 5km/3miles south of Sint-Niklaas on the Scheldt, is known for its shipbuilding. The town was once a center of the cloth industry, particularly sail-cloth.
The Castle of Walburg in the middle of the town park east of the Grote Markt was built in 1553 and considerably altered in the 19th C. The 5m/16.5ft high and 3.8m/12.5ft wide astronomical clock (Heirmanklok) adjoins the castle.
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Grote Markt
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