Veurne

Veurne
Municipality
Veurne market square
Flag Coat of arms
Veurne Location in Belgium
Location of Veurne in West Flanders
Coordinates: 51°04′N 02°39′E / 51.067°N 2.650°E / 51.067; 2.650Coordinates: 51°04′N 02°39′E / 51.067°N 2.650°E / 51.067; 2.650
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.