Erwetegem is a village and ''
deelgemeente
A deelgemeente (, literally ''part-municipality'') or section ( French) is a subdivision of a municipality in Belgium and, until March 2014, in the Netherlands as well.
Belgium
Each municipality in Belgium that existed as a separate entity on 1 J ...
'' (sub-municipality) belonging to the municipality of
Zottegem. It is located in the
Denderstreek and in the
Flemish Ardennes, the hilly southern part of the province of
East Flanders,
Belgium. Erwetegem used to be an independent municipality until 1970.
History
The village was first mentioned in 1116 as Herwetengem.
Saint Peter's Abbey in Ghent and the used to have many possessions in Erwetegem. Erwetegem used to be an independent ''
heerlijkheid
A ''heerlijkheid'' (a Dutch word; pl. ''heerlijkheden''; also called ''heerschap''; Latin: ''Dominium'') was a landed estate that served as the lowest administrative and judicial unit in rural areas in the Dutch-speaking Low Countries before 1800. ...
'' until the 13th century when it became part of the ''heerlijkheid'' of Zottegem.
The St Pieters Banden Church was first mentioned in 1162. The current church dates from dates 1779 and is a three aisled brick and sandstone stone. In 2022, stones fell off the tower even though the church had been restored several decades ago. Near the church there is a memorial for the military and cilivian casualties during World War I and II.
The highest point in Zottegem used to contain a
grist mill from 1728. On 9 November 1914, the Germans arrived in Erwetegem and discovered that you could see all the way to
Ghent from the windmill. Therefore, the windmill was blown up with dynamite to prevent it being used as observation point.
The monastery of the
Dominican Sisters was built in 1906, and used to contain a school and orphanage. During World War II, it was used as temporary refuge for weakened Jewish girls. After the war, it became a
sanatorium for weakened children. The monastery was sold in 1991, and contains several organisations as well as a training and congress centre.
Erwetegem was an independent municipality until 1970, when it was merged into
Zottegem.
Gallery
File:Pastorie met dienstgebouw, Erwetegemstraat, Erwetegem 01.jpg, Clergy house
File:Klooster Erwetegem (historische prentbriefkaart).jpg, Former monastery Erwetegem
File:Erwetegemstraat 43 - 108433 - onroerenderfgoed.jpg, House in Erwetegem
File:Zottegem Erwetegem Emmerstraat 20 Gekandelaarde lindes (2) - 193087 - onroerenderfgoed.jpg, Tilia trees
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Zottegem
Populated places in East Flanders