Middelburg

Middelburg does not have visit you only because of its past... The village lies on an arc twinge of the sea and the centres Maldegem, Brugge, Damme, Sluis and Aardenburg. Moreover it is an oasis of rest, among grand nature. Thus there the Meulekreek have you, where you if nature devotee is possible also rightly to observe birds. This creek is thus of the eight most valuable locations in Middelburg. These eight locations can discover you by means of the information chalkboards which stand concerning the centre of Middelburg scattered. These route, that you both with bicycle and at foot is possible to follow, lets you knowledge make with the environment of weleer and brings the Burgundian past of the city to life. Langsheen Middelburg run as a matter of fact other (bicycle) routes still numerous.

History

In middle of 15de century let build knight Pieter Bladelin a city on grounds that was ever property of the abbey of Middelburg-Walcheren. It was a full reinforced city with castle, ramparts, town walls, three access gateways, a church, an hospital, a convent and a town hall. To the church it had been linked: one pastor, two curates, six canons and two sextons.

The founder loved very much the abbey Middelburg in sea country and came there also often, the Burgt van Bladelin stood in the middle of the borough and that fell him also very in the taste, hence he gave its borough the name Middelburg.

From a medieval town to a rural village

The smallest borough of Maldegem is situated in the North; it has 600 inhabitants on a surface of 600 hectares. In 1500, Middelburg was a real town on more than 8000 hectares. Middelburg is a village with an extremely rich history, embedded in the middle Ages, an unique site where Maldegem can be proud of. The church is like a cathedral and considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the region. Not only one will be amazed of the historical past, there are also many green spots left in the astonishing landscape of the polders. Unlike the other villages of the region, Middelburg has no French origin; it was founded in 1444 by Peter Bladelin, the rich and powerful bailiff and counsellor of the illustrious Duke of Burgundy Philip the Good. The square and streets all stand as reminds of its medieval history and give the village his warmth and charm. The place to found a town was carefully chosen by Bladelin, near Sluis and Damme (two famous trade towns). Ideal for industry and trade. The Burgundian Duke had destroyed the town of Dinant, so Baldelin was successful in getting the Dinant coppersmiths to settle down in Middelburg. It became a flourishing town! The 16th century religious wars destroyed almost all evidences, yet the church survived for more than 500 years.

St Peter and Paul's church: the gem of the region.

One of the first monuments in the area! You can find a captivating collection of church treasures. Middelburg is one of the richest parishes of Flanders and its collection counts paintings and sculptures. It is possible to bring a visit to the church on demand. It was heavily damaged during World War II and restored afterwards in its old splendour. Typical is the tower, the main alter and the tabernacle is a real eye catcher. The mausoleum of Bladelin and his wife is decorated with his shield and initials. There is the world famous Bladelin triptych. The painting was moved to Berlin during the revolution. But a copy by Rogier Vander Weynden can still be admired in this church. (The Birth of Christ)

The Pillory ot the Bladelin Sqaure.

The word "pillory" finds its roots in the French word "pilori". It was a part of the legal procedure in the middle Ages. Criminals were exposed publicly on a scaffold, their neck fastened to a wooden pillar by a metal ring. The execution took place on a Sunday or a market day!

Tram bed

At the cleansing of the creek a bit tram bed has been reconstructed. In former days there by Middelburg a tram line passed which ran of Brugge to Aardenburg. There was a tram station off the castle site. Also to the overzijde of the creek in the Netherlands to see you still the old tram station standing.

Source: www.maldegem.be
Source: www.cultuurweb.be