Bambrugge

Bambrugge
Village
Erpe-Mere in East-Flanders
Localisation of Bambrugge in Erpe-Mere
Localisation of Bambrugge in the community of Erpe-Mere in the arrondissement of Aalst in the province of East-Flanders.
Country	Belgium
Region	Flanders
Province	East Flanders
Arrondissement	Aalst
Municipality	Erpe-Mere
Area
• Total	2.89 km2 (1.12 sq mi)
Elevation	34 m (112 ft)
Population (2003)
• Total	1,575
• Density	545/km2 (1,410/sq mi)
	Source: NIS
Postal code	9420

Bambrugge is a sub-municipality of Erpe-Mere in Flanders. It is located on the Molenbeek in the Denderstreek, southeast of East Flanders and belongs to the Arrondissement of Aalst. It is bordered by the sub-municipalities of Vlekkem, Ottergem, Mere, Aaigem and Burst and the municipality of Sint-Lievens-Houtem (sub-municipality Zonnegem). Bambrugge has 1575 inhabitants as of 1 January 2003 and has an area of 2.89 km. The population density is 545 inhabitants / km ². Bambrugge has also a hamlet: Egem.

Bambrugge was part of the village Burst until 1803. A census in 1893 reported that the village had 872 inhabitants. Bambrugge was mentioned several times in the Middle Ages. The name probably derives from the so-called banmolens (banmolen meaning compulsion mill). In these mills serfs were obliged to grind their corn. Another possibility is that the name is derived from the word "baan" (baan meaning way or road) or is a corruption of Banbrugge (Bridge of Banno, with brug meaning bridge).

The Romans knew that there was white natural stone in Steenberg in Bambrugge, called Vlaamse Arduin or Lediaanse Steen. This white natural stone was suitable as a foundation for the masonry of Roman villas and as building material for columns and capitals of the Roman temples. By the 11th or 12th century white sandstone was extracted in Bambrugge (Steenberg). Extraction continued until after World War II. It is the administrative center of Erpe-Mere.

The town hall of Erpe-Mere, at Steenberg in Bambrugge

The sports hall of Erpe-Mere, at Steenberg in Bambrugge

The library of Erpe-Mere, at Steenberg in Bambrugge

The pool of Steenberg in Bambrugge

There are two water mills in Bambrugge, both located on the Molenbeek Brook: the Egemmolen and the Molens Van Sande. The Egemmolen has been largely demolished, but there are still remains of this mill and the mill house intact.