Furnes

Furnes (in Dutch Veurne ) is a common city and Dutch-speaking of Belgium located in Flemish Région in the Province of Western Flanders.

History

Origins at the 15th century

The first attesting document of the existence of Furnes is Roman and names the place Furna . The same name is used one second time in 877 for a possession of the Abbey of Saint-Bertin to Saint-Omer. At the 9th century, Furnes is a village strengthened following the raids of the Norman ones. It is quickly placed at the head of a broad territory cash to 42 parishes, swearing allegiance with the Count de Flandre. Furnes receives a communal charter at the 12th century. During this century, the trade between Flandres and England intensified and Furnes is affiliated with other Flemish cities with the Flemish Hanse of London. The economy of the city declined however after a stop of the anglo-Flemish relations in 1270. The August 20th 1297, Furnes was the theater of a battles in the ceaseless fight between the Flemish cities and the King of France. The principal churches of the city, Holy-Walburge and Saint Nicolas's Daies, go back to this time.

15th century with the French revolution

One built at the 15th century a new Town hall, which is known today like the Pavillon of the Spanish officers by his use at the 17th century like military general headquarters. The majority of the buildings of the city date from the prosperous reign of the Archdukes Albert and Isabelle around the years 1600. The procession of Penitent is organized for the first time in 1637 by monks norbertins. Second half of this century will be marked by the misfortunes brought in the area by the wars of Louis XIV. Vauban built thick fortifications around the city which one can still see the traces today. These fortifications were used for Furnes to become one of the fortified towns of the Barrière .

At the time of its reforms, Joseph II of Austria closed many religious institutions, putting a term at the procession of the Penitent ones, but Léopold II again allowed it in 1790. The few cloisters which were still open were closed at the time of the French occupation.

19th and 20th centuries

Geography

The commune of Furnes includes/understands 11 sections: Its own section which is the largest urban center with the most important population, other sections being small villages of the Polders: Avekapelle, Booitshoeke, Bulskamp, De Moeren, Eggewaartskapelle, Houthem, Steenkerke, Vinkem, Wulveringem and Zoutenaaie.

In 1971 the communes of Avekapelle, Booitshoeke, Bulskamp, Eggewaartskapelle, Steenkerke, and of Zoutenaaie amalgamated with Furnes. The same year, the commune of the Moëres was integrated in that of Houtem and the twin villages of Vinkem and Wulveringem formed the commune of Beauvoorde. These four old communes were then attached to Furnes in 1977.

Bron: officiële website stad Veurne

Furnes has like neighbors the villages and common the following:

Chart

Inheritance

The principal monuments of the city are:

the Holy-Walburge church and its park
the church Saint Nicolas's Day
old Châtellenie and its belfry
the market with the meats (current public library)
the House of the Spanish officers

The Town square of Furnes comprises many buildings dating from the Rebirth whose majority are characterized by the use of brick during their construction. There exist however some contrasts between the various buildings all yellow brick vêtus of the area. Certain buildings as for example the Pavillon of the Spanish officers is characterized particularly by its tower of Gothic style.

Policy

The burgomaster of Furnes is Jan Verfaillie party CD&V. The town hall counts five aldermen including four of the CD&V a VLD. The municipal council consists of elected officials of the three parties tradionnels of Belgium: CD&V, VLD and SP.A. The CD&V holds the absolute majority and does not need to form coalition with other parties to manage the city.

Culture and education

Secondary education:

Koninklijk Atheneum
Annuntiata-Instituut
Bisschoppelijk College
Vrij Technisch Instituut

Personalities

Paul Delvaux, artist of the Surrealist movement , spent twenty years of its life there and became about it citizen of honor .

External bonds

Town of Furnes

Random links: