Niel () is a
municipality
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality'' may also mean the go ...
located in the
Belgian
Belgian may refer to:
* Something of, or related to, Belgium
* Belgians, people from Belgium or of Belgian descent
* Languages of Belgium, languages spoken in Belgium, such as Dutch, French, and German
*Ancient Belgian language, an extinct languag ...
province of
Antwerp. The municipality only comprises the town of Niel proper. In 2021, Niel had a total population of 10.493. The total area is 5.27 km².
History
Niel used to belong to the
Lordship of Mechelen
The Lordship of Mechelen was until 1795 a small authonomous Lordship in the Low Countries, consisting of the city of Mechelen and some surrounding villages.
In the early Middle Ages, it was part of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, which was con ...
. In 1462, it became part of the
Duchy of Brabant
The Duchy of Brabant was a State of the Holy Roman Empire established in 1183. It developed from the Landgraviate of Brabant and formed the heart of the historic Low Countries, part of the Burgundian Netherlands from 1430 and of the Habsburg Neth ...
. Niel became an independent parish in the 14th century. During most of its history, it was an agricultural community along the
Rupel
The Rupel () is a tidal river in northern Belgium, right tributary of the Scheldt. It is about long. It flows through the Belgian province of Antwerp. It is formed by the confluence of the rivers Dijle and Nete, in Rumst. It flows into the Sche ...
river. In the 19th century, Niel became an industrial town with brickworks, cement factories and shoe factories.
Sports
Niel is home for
Niel Jaarmarkt Cyclo-cross
The Niel Jaarmarkt Cyclo-cross is a cyclo-cross race held in Niel, Belgium
Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands ...
, a cyclo-cross race held in and around the town. The race is part of the Cyclo-cross Gazet van Antwerpen.
Notable people
*
Jan Decleir
Jan Decleir (born as ''Jan Amanda Gustaaf Decleir'' on 14 February 1946) is a prolific Belgian movie and stage actor born in Niel, Antwerp.
Career
He had his first big role in Fons Rademakers's ''Mira'' (1971). Since then, he has appeared in ...
, actor, leading actor in the
Academy Award
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
winner
Karakter was born in Niel
Gallery
File:Gemeentehuis Niel.jpg, Town hall
File:Boomsestraat 2, Niel.jpg , House in Niel
File:Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk, Niel vanaf Dorpstraat.jpg, Our Lady Church in Niel
File:Rijksmonument Sint-Jozef Kerk Hellegat Niel 1.JPEG, St Josef Church in Hellegat
References
External links
*
*
Official website
Municipalities of Antwerp Province
Populated places in Antwerp Province
{{Antwerp-geo-stub