Veurne | |||
---|---|---|---|
Municipality | |||
Veurne market square
|
|||
|
|||
Location in Belgium | |||
Location of Veurne in West Flanders
|
|||
Coordinates: 51°04′N 02°39′E / 51.067°N 2.650°ECoordinates: 51°04′N 02°39′E / 51.067°N 2.650°E | |||
Country | Belgium | ||
Community | Flemish Community | ||
Region | Flemish Region | ||
Province | West Flanders | ||
Arrondissement | Veurne | ||
Government | |||
• Mayor | Peter Roose (Veurne Plus) | ||
• Governing party/ies | CD&V, Veurne Plus | ||
Area | |||
• Total | 96.34 km2 (37.20 sq mi) | ||
Population (1 January 2016) | |||
• Total | 11,674 | ||
• Density | 120/km2 (310/sq mi) | ||
Postal codes | 8630 | ||
Area codes | 058 | ||
Website | www.veurne.be |
Veurne (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈvøːrnə] ; French: Furnes, pronounced: [fyʁn]) is a city and municipality in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the town of Veurne proper and the settlements of Avekapelle , Booitshoeke , Bulskamp , De Moeren (Belgium) , Eggewaartskapelle , Houtem (West Flanders) , Steenkerke (West Flanders) , Vinkem , Wulveringem, and Zoutenaaie .
Veurne, in Latin Furna, is first found in 877 as a possession of the Saint Bertin Abbey in Saint-Omer. Around 890 AD, it was noted as a fortification against the Viking raids. It soon was placed at the head of the castellany of Veurne, a large territory counting 42 parishes and some 8 half-independent parishes, owing allegiance to the Count of Flanders. Veurne became a city in the 12th century. During the following century, trade with England flourished. In 1270, however, the relations with England came to a standstill and the city’s economy went into a long decline; hence the nickname of the Veurne Sleepers. On August 20, 1297, the Battle of Veurne was fought in the ongoing struggle between the Flemish cities and the French king.