Sint-Job-in-'t-Goor | ||
---|---|---|
|
||
Coordinates: 51°18′N 4°34′E / 51.300°N 4.567°E | ||
Country | Belgium | |
Region | Flemish Region | |
Community | Flemish Community | |
Province | Antwerp | |
Arrondissement | Antwerp | |
Municipality | Brecht | |
Area | ||
• Total | 6.71 km2 (2.59 sq mi) | |
Population (2011) | ||
• Total | 8,019 | |
• Density | 1,200/km2 (3,100/sq mi) | |
Postal codes | 2960 | |
Area codes | 03 |
Sint-Job-in-'t-Goor is a village in the municipality of Brecht in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. Sint-Job-in-'t-Goor has 8,019 inhabitants (2011).
The location of Sint-Job was already mentioned in the 13th century, and was originally centered around a chapel dedicated to the biblical prophet Job. Initially, the chapel fell under the parish of Schoten, until it was separated from it in the 16th century. During this time, Sint-Job and Schoten formed a part of the Archdiocese of Cambrai, while neighboring Brecht fell under the Diocese of Liège.
On September 25 1908, aviation pioneer baron de Caters was the first Belgian to fly an aircraft by taking of with his plane over the fields south of the village. Soon after, de Caters started the construction of the first airfield and pilot training school in Belgium at Sint-Job. Presently, the airfield has completely disappeared, but the local neighborhood is still called de vliegplein in reference to the airfield. Another famous Belgian pioneer, Jan Olieslagers, was also active in Sint-Job, but later contributed to the construction of the airport of Antwerp in Deurne.
During the Second World War, Sint-Job was suffered heavily under days of harsh fighting in late September 1944, when Canadian and British troops tried to secure an undamaged bridge over the Turnhout-Schoten Canal on September 23. However, the offensive failed after the allied troops met fierce German resistance and were unable to prevent the enemy from blowing up the bridge. Sint-Job was only liberated on October 2, more than a week later, after the allied forces had captured the bridges at Rijkevorsel and Sint-Leaarts, further north, on September 28.