Adegem
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Adegem
| other_name =
| settlement_type = Village
| image_skyline = File:Adegem Dorp R01.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Village view
| image_shield =
| image_flag =
| pushpin_map = Belgium
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Belgium
| pushpin_mapsize = 250
| mapsize =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Belgium
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = East Flanders
| subdivision_type2 = Municipality
| subdivision_name2 = Maldegem
| elevation_m =
| area_total_km2 = 26.14
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_total = 6,563
| population_density_km2 = auto
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = Area code
| area_code =
| timezone = CET
| utc_offset =
| website = [https://www.adegem.be/ adegem.be]
| footnotes =
| coordinates = {{coord|51.2003|3.4886|region:BE|display=inline,title}}
}}
Adegem is a village and deelgemeente (sub-municipality) in the municipality of Maldegem in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The village is located about {{convert|19|km}} east of Bruges.{{cite web|url=https://www.distance.to/Adegem,Maldegem,BEL/Brugge,BEL |title=Distance Adegem, Maldegem, BEL -> Bruges, BEL |website=Distance.to |access-date=7 May 2022 |language=nl}}
History
The area around Adegem was mapped between 1993 and 1995, and multiple structures were discovered from the Bronze Age.{{cite web |author=Fockedey |first=Ludo |last2=Ampe |first2=Carole |last3=Langohr |first3=Roger |year=2004 |title=Correlation between the spatial distribution of Bronze Age circular structures, ancient roads and soils in the study area Adegem (East-Flanders): a GIS approach. |url=https://www.adegem.be/GISstory/ancient_roads.htm |access-date=7 May 2022 |publisher=Gent University}} The village was first mentioned in 840 as Addingahim, and means "settlement of the people of Ado (person)". In 1127, Robert de Jonge, the owner of Castle Raverschoot near Adegem, was implicated in the murder of Charles the Good, Count of Flanders, and his castle was destroyed. For most of its history, Adegem was a cultivation settlement belonging to the amt Maldegem.
During the 19th century, Adegem started to develop into a village.{{cite web|url=https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/themas/9547 |title=Adegem |website=Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed |access-date=7 May 2022 |language=nl}} In 1800, it became an independent municipality.{{cite web|url=https://mijnplatteland.com/meetjesland/adegem/nl/ |title=Adegem |website=Mijn Platteland |access-date=7 May 2022 |language=nl}} In 1859, the Schipdonk canal was dug and the village started to industrialise. In 1862, a railway station opened.{{cite web|url=https://www.debaets.be/adegem.htm |title=Adegem |website=De Baets |access-date=7 May 2022 |language=nl}}
In 1939, Flugplatz Maldegem was built near Adegem which was used by the Germans during World War II and bombed multiple times by the Allies. On 12 September 1944, Adegem was liberated by Canadian troops who managed to surprise the Germans, and took the village and airport without a fight. In 1945, the Adegem Canadian War Cemetery was established which contains the graves of 1,112 identified and 48 unknown soldiers. It also contains British, Free Polish and other Commonwealth graves.{{cite web|url=https://www.commonwealth-adegem.com/numbers |title=Statistics |website=Commonwealth Adegem |access-date=7 May 2022 }}
Adegem was an independent municipality until 1977 when it was merged into Maldegem. In 1994, a Canadian Polish War museum opened in Adegem.{{cite web|url=https://canadapolandmuseum.com/ |title=Canada Poland War II Museum |website=Canada Poland Museum |access-date=7 May 2022 }}
Notable people
- Noël Foré (1932–1994), professional road bicycle racer{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingarchives.com/coureurfiche.php?coureurid=5018 |title= Noël Foré |website=Cycling Archives |access-date=7 May 2022 |language=nl}}
- Emiel Verstrynge (born 2002), cyclist{{cite web|url=https://cyclocross24.com/nl/rider/emiel-verstrynge/ |title=Emiel Verstrynge #25 |website=Cyclo Cross 24 |access-date=7 May 2022 |language=nl}}
Gallery
File:Adegem Sint-Adrianuskerk 27-04-2010 15-04-44.JPG|St Adrianus Church
File:Adegem Canadian War Cemetery 11a.JPG|Canadian War Cemetery
File:Schooltje in Adegem-Dorp in Adegem.jpg|School
File:Voormalig gemeentehuis van Adegem in 2017.jpg|Former town hall
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline}}
- [https://www.adegem.be/ Official site]
{{Authority control}}