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Our Challenge
We are Jens and Lander. Two guys in our early twenties who are on a mission to visit all 581 municipalities in Belgium. Our starting day is the first of November 2023.
Environment and Community
For the sixth municipality we went to Lille. You read it right. There is also a 'Lille' in Belgium. The municipality has even more than 16,000 inhabitants and is centrally located in the province of Antwerpen. The municipality goes under the postal code 2275, just like the sub-municipalities Gierle, Poederlee and Wechelderzande. The name Lille comes from Lindelo which means linden forest (a deciduous forest of linden trees). The years before it was a part of Turnhout, but since 1567 they became independent. Around 1900, almost exclusively agriculture was practiced. In the following years, clog making and diamond sharpening also started.
The inhabitants of Lille are nicknamed 'Krawaten'. The history goes back to the seventeenth century. A Croatian nobleman, who wanted to pass through, was allegedly driven into the swamp by some farmers and murdered. Since then they have been called Krawaten. The name still occurs in the municipality. Examples are the Krawatencross and staminee De Crawaett.
History and Must sees
The municipality has multiple mills, chapels and green forest paths. The Zwarte Molen and the Molen In Stormen Sterk are the main must sees in Lille. The Zwarte Molen functioned as a grist- and oil mill. Today it is furnished as a house. The Molen In Stormen Sterk is one of the biggest mills in Belgium. You can visit the mill during the Open Monumentendag and enjoy freshly baked bread.
Until 2014 there was a very special tree in Lille. The 'Achtzalighedenboom'. It was a Scots pine and was known for its irregular shape. It is estimated that the tree had been there since 1850, even though a sick trunk was reported during the Second World War. Unfortunately we can no longer visit this must see today.
Exploring Suburbs
The sub-municipalities each have their own qualities. In Gierle you can visit the Lilse Bergen. An immense recreational area. It consists of a large lake surrounded by coniferous trees. You can swim, do activities, eat and even camp there. The well-known Mega Speelstad is located in Wechelderzande. It is a playground and amusement park for children between the ages of 2 and 10. You can play both indoors and outdoors. Finally, Poederlee has the Wonder of the Hegge. A Gothic chapel that was built in 1412. Every 25 years a tour is held where the chapel is commemorated.
Discovering Lille
Recommendations:
These are three recommended walk trails in the municipality of Lille.
Blommerschot "8.9km"
This walk runs along the domain blommerschot.
Natuurgebied het Kindernouw "7.15km"
This walk is entirely in the green nature of Wechelderzande
Bosbeek en Slagmolen "9.47km"
Nice walk along several streams, a lake and several chapels.
Regional Products
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Conclusion
Lille has a rich culture, with many mills and chapels. In combination with the beautiful nature, it is a perfect municipality for long walks.
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