Kortrijk
Encyclopedia : K : KO : KOR : Kortrijk
- '' For the Dutch village, see Kortrijk (Netherlands)
| Kortrijk | |
|---|---|
| Province: | West Flanders |
| District: | Kortrijk |
| Area: | 80.03 km² |
| Population: | 73,625 (2005) |
| Population density: | 919.96 /km² |
| Mayor: | Stefaan De Clerck (CD&V) |
The city is situated on the River Lys 42 km (26 miles) southwest of Ghent, at the map coordinates 50 50N 03 17E. It was founded by the Romans, who called it Cortoriacum. Kortrijk gained great importance as a centre of linen production during the Middle Ages and is still the largest producer of linen in western Europe. The Battle of the Golden Spurs (Dutch: Guldensporenslag) took place near Kortrijk on July 11, 1302, when the local Flemish population mounted a successful uprising against the French rulers of Flanders. The chapel of the count ("Gravenkapel") in the church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk) has a large number of golden spurs painted on the ceiling. Another reminder of Kortrijk's medieval history are the Broel towers and the small bridge in between spanning one arm of the river.
The wider municipality comprises the city of Kortrijk proper and the towns of Aalbeke, Bellegem, Bissegem, Heule, Kooigem, Marke and Rollegem. On January 1st, 2005 Kortrijk had a total population of 73,625. The total area is 80.03 km² which gives a population density of 919.96 inhabitants per km².
The KULAK, a department of the Catholic University of Leuven is located in Kortrijk.
The town is twinned with Frascati in Italy, Bad Godesberg in Germany (1964) and Maidenhead in England.
Famous citizens
- Hendrik Conscience, writer
- Stefaan De Clerck, politician and mayor of Kortrijk
- Ernest Gambart, art publisher
- Carl de Keyzer, photographer
- Pierre de La Rue, Renaissance composer
- Ann De Meulemeester, fashion designer
- Guido Gezelle, poet
- Piet Goddaer, singer of Ozark Henry
- Xavier Malisse, tennis player
- Morris, creator of Lucky Luke
- Jan Palfyn (1650-1730), doctor, surgeon and inventor of the forceps
- Louis Robbe (1806-1887), painter
- Roelant Savery (1576-1639), painter
- Stijn Streuvels (1871-1969), writer
- Vincent Van Quickenborne (1973-), politician: Belgian Secretary of State
External link
- [Official website] - Information available in Dutch, French, English and German
| West Flanders | |
| Bruges: Beernem | Blankenberge | Bruges/Brugge | Damme | Jabbeke | Knokke-Heist | Oostkamp | Torhout | Zedelgem | Zuienkerke | |
| Diksmuide: Diksmuide | Houthulst | Koekelare | Kortemark | Lo-Reninge | |
| Kortrijk: Anzegem | Avelgem | Deerlijk | Harelbeke | Kortrijk/Courtrai | Kuurne | Lendelede | Menen | Spiere-Helkijn | Waregem | Wevelgem | Zwevegem | |
| Ostend: Bredene | De Haan | Gistel | Ichtegem | Middelkerke | Oostende/Ostend | Oudenburg | |
| Roeselare: Hooglede | Ingelmunster | Izegem | Ledegem | Lichtervelde | Moorslede | Roeselare | Staden | |
| Tielt: Ardooie | Dentergem | Meulebeke | Oostrozebeke | Pittem | Ruiselede | Tielt | Wielsbeke | Wingene | |
| Veurne: Alveringem | De Panne | Koksijde | Nieuwpoort | Veurne | |
| Ypres: Heuvelland | Ieper/Ypres | Langemark-Poelkapelle | Mesen | Poperinge | Vleteren | Wervik | Zonnebeke | |
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