Puurs

Puurs
Municipality
Puurs train station
Flag Coat of arms
Puurs Location in Belgium
Location of Puurs in the province of Antwerp
Coordinates: 51°05′N 04°17′E / 51.083°N 4.283°E / 51.083; 4.283Coordinates: 51°05′N 04°17′E / 51.083°N 4.283°E / 51.083; 4.283
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community
Region	Flemish Region
Province	Antwerp
Arrondissement	Mechelen
Government
• Mayor	Koen Van den Heuvel (CD&V)
• Governing party/ies	CD&V
Area
• Total	33.41 km2 (12.90 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2016)
• Total	16,999
• Density	510/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Postal codes	2870
Area codes	03, 052
Website	www.puurs.be

Puurs (Dutch pronunciation: [pyːrs]) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. It is located in the Flemish Region. The municipality comprises the towns of Breendonk, Liezele, Kalfort, Ruisbroek (old spelling: Ruysbroeck) and Puurs proper. There is also the hamlet of Kalfort. On January 1, 2006, Puurs had a total population of 16,029. The total area is 33.41 km² (13 sq mi) which gives a population density of 480 inhabitants per km².

Puurs sits about 5 meters above main sea level. Its geography shows only minor elevation differences (so it's basically flat).

Puurs is mainly rural, with some low intensity industry development in the North alongside the N16 motorway. However, because of its proximity to the cities of Antwerp and Brussels (both within a 25 km (16 mi) radius) and its excellent accessibility, Puurs is developing increasingly into a residential town.

Signs of habitation dating back to the Iron Age, as well as early Roman and Merovingian times, have been found in Puurs.

Arguably, the Benedictine abbeys of Saint-Cornelimunster of Aachen were the lords of Puurs in the 10th century A.D. In 1278 the municipality was acquired by the Abbey of Sint-Bernard's upon Scheldt, whose property it would remain until the end of the 18th century.

Puurs' Saint-Peter Church is quite large and is hence sometimes referred to as the region's "cathedral". It was built in the 15th century, on the remains of a roman-style church. The baroque-style bell tower was added in the late 17th century. The classical center piece was completed in 1744.

The lands of Kalfort are widely renowned for producing the most delicious asparagus, and at the beginning of summer a festival is held in honour of this "white gold".