View source for Erpe-Mere

{{use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox Belgium municipality
|name            = Erpe-Mere
|picture         = Gemeentehuis Erpe-Mere.jpg
|picture-legend  = Erpe-Mere town hall
|map             = Erpe-Mere East-Flanders Belgium Map.svg
|map-legend      = Location of Erpe-Mere in East Flanders
|arms            = Erpe-Mere wapen.svg
|flag            = Erpe-Mere vlag.svg
|province        = [[East Flanders]]
|arrondissement  = [[Arrondissement of Aalst|Aalst]]
|nis             = 41082
|mayor           = Hugo De Waele ([[Christian Democratic and Flemish|CD&V]])
|majority        = [[Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams|CD&V]], [[New Flemish Alliance|N-VA]]
|postal-codes    = 9420 [[Aaigem]]<br />9420 [[Bambrugge]]<br />9420 [[Burst (village)|Burst]]<br />9420 [[Erondegem]]<br />9420 [[Erpe]]<br />9420 [[Mere, Belgium|Mere]]<br />9420 [[Ottergem]]<br />9420 [[Vlekkem]]
|telephone-area  = 053
|web             = [http://www.erpe-mere.be/ www.erpe-mere.be]
|coordinates     = {{coord|50|55|N|03|57|E|region:BE|display=inline,title}}
}}

'''Erpe-Mere''' ({{IPA|nl|ˌɛrpəˈmeːrə}}) is a [[Municipalities of Belgium|municipality]] located in the Belgian province of [[East Flanders]] in the [[Denderstreek]]. The municipality comprises the towns of [[Aaigem]], [[Bambrugge]], [[Burst (village)|Burst]], [[Erondegem]], [[Erpe]], [[Mere, Belgium|Mere]], [[Ottergem]] and [[Vlekkem]]. There is also a hamlet in Bambrugge: [[Egem (East Flanders)|Egem]]. Erpe-Mere is crossed by 2 brooks, the [[Molenbeek (Erpe-Mere Bovenschelde)|Molenbeek]] and the [[Molenbeek-Ter Erpenbeek]]. In 2022 Erpe-Mere had a total population of 20,127. The total area is 34.03&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name="stat">{{cite web|url=https://statbel.fgov.be/sites/default/files/files/opendata/bevolking/sectoren/OPENDATA_SECTOREN_2021.xlsx |title=Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 41082 |website=Statistics Belgium |access-date=9 May 2022 }}</ref> The current mayor of Erpe-Mere is Hugo De Waele, from the CD&V (Christian Democratic) party.

== History ==
The municipality was formed in 1975 by the merger of the eight sub-municipalities of today, but the sub-communities Erpe and Mere initially disagreed on the new name for the merged municipality. While Erpe had the largest area, Mere was central in the entire area and had more inhabitants. As a compromise they choose the double name Erpe-Mere.

== Geography ==
[[File:Aaigem Bambrugge Burst Erondegem Erpe Mere Ottergem Vlekkem.png|thumbnail|left|Map of Erpe-Mere showing the 8 subdivision parts]]
The municipality is bordered to the north by [[Lede, Belgium|Lede]], in the east by [[Aalst, Belgium|Aalst]] and [[Haaltert]], in the south by [[Herzele]] and in the west by [[Sint-Lievens-Houtem]]. Erpe-Mere is located north of the foothills of the [[Flemish Ardennes]], in the region [[Denderstreek]]. The area north of the N9 (Aalst-Ghent) is between 10 and 30 meters high, the area between the N9 and E40 (Brussels-Ghent) is between 25 and 50 meters high and the area south of it has hills peaks up to 80 meters. The most famous of them is the Gotegemberg in Mere, not for his height of 68 meters, but for its slope of 18% making it a popular challenge for cyclists.

The territory is traversed by two brooks that both bear the name Molenbeek. The Molenbeek from the Upper Scheldt crosses Burst, Bambrugge, Ottergem, Vlekkem and Erondegem before it flows into the Scheldt. The Molenbeek-Ter Erpenbeek flows into the Dender.

The Romans knew early there was white natural stone called Vlaamse Arduin or Lediaanse Steen in Steenberg of Bambrugge. 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. From about the 11th or 12th century there was already extracted white sandstone in Bambrugge (Steenberg). The common types of white natural stone in Brabant in the 16th to 17th Century were extracted in Steenberg. Extraction continued until after World War II. Today it is the administrative center of Erpe-Mere.

There is a 205 hectare nature reserve called [[Den Dotter]] in the sub-municipalities of [[Aaigem]] (municipality Erpe-Mere) and [[Heldergem]] (municipality [[Haaltert]]).

== Transportation ==
Erpe-Mere has an exit to the [[A10 motorway (Belgium)|A10]]/[[European route E40|E40]] and a regional railway station on the railway line Kortrijk–Oudenaarde–Zottegem–Erpe-Mere–Aalst–Brussels. Also the N9 (Gentsesteenweg), the N442 (Leedsesteenweg) and the N46 (Oudenaardsesteenweg) cross the municipality.

== Landmarks ==
* The water tower of the Tussengemeentelijke Maatschappij der Vlaanderen voor Watervoorziening.

=== Mills ===

Landmarks include the mills of the municipality, through which runs the Denderroute South and the Molenbeekroute. Due to the geography of the area, there are eleven water mills in Erpe-Mere, with Erpe-Mere having the most water mills in Belgium, seven of which are protected by law. One mill was largely demolished, but there are still remains of this mill and the mill house is still intact. Another mill was also converted into a house. On the Koudenberg, one of the highest hills of the community, there is a windmill that is protected by law. It was re-mounted on its base in 2006 after being restored in 2004 by a studio in Roeselare. The Kruiskoutermolen was restored in 2006 and is operational. It can be visited by appointment with the tourist service.

{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
! Place || Name(s) || Address || Type || Protected || Info
|-
| Aaigem || Engelsmolen <br /> Molen te Dalhem <br /> Molen te Dalme  || Engelsmolen 1 || Overshot watermill || [[File:Monumentenschildje blauw wit.svg|18px|link=]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20120327172136/http://onroerenderfgoed.ruimte-erfgoed.be/Default.aspx?tabid=14603&ObjectID=OO003297 Yes] || It was originally a wheat mill, oil mill and a flax attrition mill <br /> Later on it was only a wheat mill
|-
| Aaigem || Ratmolen <br /> Waterrat || Ratmolenstraat 42 || Overshot watermill || [[File:Monumentenschildje blauw wit.svg|18px|link=]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20120327172306/http://onroerenderfgoed.ruimte-erfgoed.be/Default.aspx?tabid=14603&ObjectID=OO000760 Yes] || It was originally a wheat mill and an oil mill <br /> Later on it was only a wheat mill
|-
| Aaigem || Zwingelmolen || Aaigembergstraat 10 || Overshot watermill ||[[File:Foutief.png|18px|link=]] No || It was originally a flax attrition mill <br /> Later on it became a chicory mill <br /> The mill wheel has been removed <br /> It has been renovated as a house
|-
| Bambrugge || Egemmolen <br /> Meuleken Tik Tak || Everdal 21 || Overshot watermill ||[[File:Foutief.png|18px|link=]] No || Wheat mill <br /> The mill wheel has been removed <br /> The mill house is used as a country cottage
|-
| Bambrugge || Molens Van Sande <br /> Kasteelmolen <br /> Celindermolen || Prinsdaal 33 || Overshot watermill ||[[File:Foutief.png|18px|link=]] No || It was originally a wheat mill and a compulsion mill<br /> Later on it was just a wheat mill <br /> The mill wheel has been removed <br /> It is now an industrial flour mill
|-
| Erpe || Cottemmolen || Molenstraat 36 || Overshot watermill || [[File:Monumentenschildje blauw wit.svg|18px|link=]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20120327172149/http://onroerenderfgoed.ruimte-erfgoed.be/Default.aspx?tabid=14603&ObjectID=OO000783 Yes] || It was originally a wheat mill and an oil mill <br /> Later on it was only a wheat mill
|-
| Erpe || Van Der Biestmolen || Dorpsstraat 3 || Overshot watermill ||[[File:Foutief.png|18px|link=]] No || Wheat mill
|-
| Mere || De Graevesmolen || Bosstraat 25 || Overshot watermill || [[File:Monumentenschildje blauw wit.svg|18px|link=]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20120327172232/http://onroerenderfgoed.ruimte-erfgoed.be/Default.aspx?tabid=14603&ObjectID=OO000793 Yes] || Wheat mill and an oil mill
|-
| Mere || Gotegemmolen || Gotegemstraat 1 || Overshot watermill || [[File:Monumentenschildje blauw wit.svg|18px|link=]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20120327172158/http://onroerenderfgoed.ruimte-erfgoed.be/Default.aspx?tabid=14603&ObjectID=OO000791 Yes] || Wheat mill
|-
| Mere || Kruiskoutermolen <br /> Jezuïtenmolen <br /> Molen Van Der Haegen || Schoolstraat || Post windmill with open foot || [[File:Monumentenschildje blauw wit.svg|18px|link=]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20120327172241/http://onroerenderfgoed.ruimte-erfgoed.be/Default.aspx?tabid=14603&ObjectID=OO000788 Yes] || Wheat mill
|-
| Mere || Molen te Broeck <br /> 't Hof Schuurke || Wilgendries 6 || Overshot watermill || [[File:Monumentenschildje blauw wit.svg|18px|link=]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20120327172215/http://onroerenderfgoed.ruimte-erfgoed.be/Default.aspx?tabid=14603&ObjectID=OO000794 Yes] || Wheat mill
|-
| Ottergem || De Watermeulen || Ruststraat 10-12 || Overshot watermill || [[File:Monumentenschildje blauw wit.svg|18px|link=]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20120327172225/http://onroerenderfgoed.ruimte-erfgoed.be/Default.aspx?tabid=14603&ObjectID=OO000797 Yes] || It was originally a wheat mill and an oil mill <br /> Later on it was only a wheat mill
|-
|}

<gallery>
File:Engelsmolen Aaigem.JPG|Engelsmolen at Aaigem
File:Ratmolen Aaigem.JPG|Ratmolen at Aaigem
File:Zwingelmolen Aaigem.jpg|Zwingelmolen at Aaigem
File:Cottemmolen Erpe vooraanzicht.JPG|Front view of the Cottemmolen at Erpe
File:De Graevemolen Mere vooraanzicht.jpg|Front view of the De Graevesmolen at Mere
File:Kruiskoutermolen Mere.JPG|Kruiskoutermolen at Mere
</gallery>

== Sports ==
Erpe-Mere once had seven football clubs that belonged to the Royal Belgian Football Association. There are still four left: [[KRC Bambrugge]], [[KFC Olympic Burst]], FC Mere and SK Aaigem. FC Edixvelde was absorbed by FC Mere. FC Oranja Erpe and [[KVC Erpe Erondegem#KFC Olympia Erondegem|KFC Olympia Erondegem]] merged into KVC Erperondegem that was some years later also absorbed by FC Mere.

Each year the Steenbergcross, the first international [[cyclo-cross]] race of the season, is held at Steenberg in Bambrugge. The national clubhouse of the motorcycle club [[Blue Angels Motorcycle Club|Blue Angels]] in Belgium is located in Erpe.

==Image gallery==
<gallery>
File:Sporthal Erpe-Mere.jpg|The sports hall of Erpe-Mere, at Steenberg in Bambrugge
File:Vijver Steenberg Erpe-Mere.jpg|The pool of Steenberg in Bambrugge
File:Autosnelwegbrug Mere.jpg|The motorway bridge (E40) of Mere over the Oudenaardsesteenweg
File:AaigemKerk2.JPG|Church of Aaigem
File:Kerk Mere 1.jpg|Church of Mere
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.erpe-mere.be}} only available in [[Dutch language|Dutch]]

{{Geographic location
|Centre = Erpe-Mere
|North     = [[Lede, Belgium|Lede]]
|Northeast = [[Aalst, Belgium|Aalst]]
|Southeast = [[Haaltert]]
|Southwest = [[Herzele]]
|West      = [[Sint-Lievens-Houtem]]
}}
{{Sub-municipalities_in Erpe-Mere}}
{{East Flanders}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Erpe-Mere| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of East Flanders]]