Capreike

Capreike is part of the Flemish Sandy Area. This region is flat, its height varies between 4 and 11 meters. In the southwestern part of the municipality there is more relief than in the north. As before, today the population is engaged in agriculture , so the landscape is mostly characterized by rectangular and square plots of land.

The name "Capreike" probably refers to the Gallo-Roman period from the word "Capriacum". The Romans who built the city were to flee from the Germans , who conquered the region in the 5th century. In the 13th century, the formation of the city of Kapreyke began, as we know it today. Then, in 1240, Kapreyke received a city statute from the Countess of Flanders, Jeanne of Constantinople . Also thanks to her, Kapreyke received sovereignty .

At the end of the Middle Ages, the economy in Kapreyka was very developed, thanks to the cloth , which, because of its high quality, was known not only in the region, but also abroad.

In the 16th century, Kapreyka and surrounding cities were threatened by religious wars and looting. For more than 20 years, Kapreyke was completely destroyed and depopulated. The city's economy also suffered from wars and robberies and no longer reached the level of the Middle Ages.

At the beginning of the 18th century, life in Kapreyka was calm and measured. The situation changed at the end of the 18th century, when Capreike and the surrounding villages were captured by the French . In 1763, the French armies conquered the region, and in 1783, the French again attacked Capreich, under the command of the French marshal d'Humières. Karpeyke became the most important city of the canton . Napoleon passed a law that forced young men to join the ranks of the French army.

Around 1830 , when Belgium gained independence, the people of Kapreike mainly engaged in agriculture. A quarter of the region consisted of forests and moorland . In winter, women wove, and men were engaged in processing flax.

Around 1850, the entire region suffered from a great industrial crisis. This had serious consequences, such as a decline in wealth, a decline in the economy and a rise in unemployment . Farmers, weavers, taverns and farm laborers had a hard time making ends meet. Many families emigrated to the USA to start a new life there.

Kapreike Town Hall: “Stadhuis”

Although Kapreyke is no longer a city, the building of the city ​​municipality is still called the “ City Hall ”. In the old documents it is mentioned that the city of Kapreike in 1240 received the city rights of the Countess of Flanders, Jeanne of Constantinople. The first building for members of the municipality was built in 1425. In 1663 they built the current town hall. For many years there were fires in the building and it was regularly restored. In 1932, a professional restoration was carried out in the town hall and since 1936 it has been a monument. Until 1970, there was a tavern in the basement of the town hall, after it was closed, the town hall was gradually restored: all the rooms were renovated, the cross vaults on the lower floor were repaired, and today you can see the original style created several centuries ago.

Big Square in Kapreyka: “Plein”

The square, which became known as “Veld” (“Field”), was a large rectangular square in front of the church and the town hall, and there is a street around it. In the 19th century, the southern part of the square was intended for housing. The northern part of the area is still the largest area of ​​all existing municipalities in East Flanders. The area is surrounded by two rows of trees: ash and chestnut .

• The Church of Our Lady (1787–1788) and the old tower , which was built in the Gothic style in 1240,
• Hof Ter Terr Kreuzen Castle, which has a characteristic stepped gable of 1628,
• Different old houses built in the 17th and 18th century
• Capella Capella .

In Flanders, there is a tradition to give the nickname to the inhabitants of every city and every village. The inhabitants of Kapreike are called “Groeningen” (Grüningen, groen = green). This name was used already in the Middle Ages , when green apples were grown in Kapreyka. Residents were very proud of these apples and gave them to friends, relatives , and even the king . Since even ripe apples look very green, everyone thought that the inhabitants of Kapreike were very mean.