Ath
Geography
Country	Belgium
Community	French Community
Region	Walloon Region
Province	Hainaut
Arrondissement	Ath
Coordinates	50°37′N 03°46′E / 50.617, 3.767Coordinates: 50°37′N 03°46′E / 50.617, 3.767
Area	126.95 km²
Population (Source: NIS)
Population – Males – Females - Density	26,799 (January 1, 2006) 48.45% 51.55% 211 inhab./km²
Age distribution 0–19 years 20–64 years 65+ years	(01/01/2006) 23.83% 58.99% 17.18%
Foreigners	2.76% (01/07/2005)
Economy
Unemployment rate	14.89% (January 1, 2006)
Mean annual income	12,396 €/pers. (2003)
Government
Mayor	Bruno Van Grootenbrulle (PS)
Governing parties	PS
Other information
Postal codes	7800, 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, 7810, 7811, 7812, 7822, 7823
Area codes	068
Web address	www.ath.be

The St. Julien tower bell.

Athe (Dutch: Aat) is a Belgian municipality located in the Walloon province of Hainaut. The Ath municipality includes the old communes of Lanquesaint, Irchonwelz, Ormeignies, Bouvignies, Ostiches, Rebaix, Maffle, Arbre, Houtaing, Ligne, Mainvault, Moulbaix, Villers-Notre-Dame, Villers-Saint-Amand, Ghislenghien (Dutch: Gellingen), Isières, Meslin-l'Evêque, and Gibecq. Ath can be: The city of Ath in Belgium. ... Image File history File links Athvlag. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 596 pixelsFull resolution (2006 × 1495 pixels, file size: 359 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) (All user names refer to nl. ... Image File history File links RedDot. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Ath_Hainaut_Belgium_Map. ... This list of countries, arranged alphabetically, gives an overview of countries of the world. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Belgium_(civil). ... Belgium is a federal state and is composed of three communities, three regions, and four linguistic regions. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wallonia. ... The French Community area of Belgium The French Community of Belgium (French: , Dutch: , German: ) is one of the three official communities in Belgium along with the Flemish Community and the German speaking Community. ... Belgium is a federal state and is composed of three communities, three regions, and four linguistic regions. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wallonia. ... National motto: Walon todi ! (Walloon forever!) Official languages French, German Capital Namur Minister-President Jean-Claude Van Cauwenberghe Area  - Total 16,844 km² Population  - Total (2002)  - Density 3,358,560 inhabitants 199. ... Belgium is a federal state and is composed of three communities, three regions, and four linguistic regions. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Hainaut (French; English traditionally Hainault, Dutch: Henegouwen, German: Hennegau, Walloon: Hinnot) is the westernmost province of Wallonia, one of the three regions of Belgium. ... This is a list of Belgian administrative arrondissements or districts. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... Statistics Belgium is the main official statistical institution in Belgian offering a large choice of figures. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... This distribution is named for the pyramidal shape of its graph. ... Immigration is the movement of people into one place from another. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... The Parti Socialiste or PS of Belgium is a French-speaking social democratic political party. ... A coalition is an alliance among entities, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest. ... The Parti Socialiste or PS of Belgium is a French-speaking social democratic political party. ... This is a list of postal codes for Belgium. ... A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating telephone number ranges to countries, regions, areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks such as mobile phone networks. ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos or other digital assets that is hosted on one or several Web server(s), usually accessible via the Internet, cell phone or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (525 × 700 pixels, file size: 219 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Ath (Belgique), la tour de léglise St-Julien (XVème siècle). ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (525 × 700 pixels, file size: 219 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Ath (Belgique), la tour de léglise St-Julien (XVème siècle). ... Belgium comprises 589 municipalities (Dutch: gemeenten, French: communes, German: Gemeinde) grouped into five provinces in each of two regions and into a third region, the Brussels-Capital Region, comprising 19 municipalities that do not belong to a province. ... Wallonia (French: Wallonie, German: Wallonien, Walloon: Walonreye, Dutch: Wallonië) or the Walloon Region (French: Région Wallonne, Dutch: Waals Gewest) is the predominantly French-speaking region that constitutes one of the three federal regions of Belgium, with its capital at Namur. ... Belgium is a federal state and is composed of three communities, three regions, and four linguistic regions. ... Hainaut (French; English traditionally Hainault, Dutch: Henegouwen, German: Hennegau, Walloon: Hinnot) is the westernmost province of Wallonia, one of the three regions of Belgium. ... A municipality is an administrative entity composed of a clearly defined territory and its population and commonly referring to a city, town, or village, or a small grouping of them. ... The Ormeignies village (Ath, Belgium) has an ancient history. ... Ghislenghien (Dutch: Gellingen) is a small town in Belgium near Ath. ...

Ath is known as the "City of Giants" after the "Ducasse" festivities which take place every year on the fourth weekend in August. Huge figures representing Goliath, Samson, and other allegoric figures are paraded through the streets, and Goliath's wedding and his famous fight with David are re-enacted. This article is about the biblical warrior. ... Samson and Delilah, by Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) This article is about Biblical figure. ... This article is about the Biblical king of Israel. ...

History

Image File history File links Location of the City of Ath in Belgium. ...

Before 1500

The archeological record proves the existence of several Gallo-Roman settlements in the Ath area. The origin of the city of Ath, however, dates from around 1160, when Baldwin IV, Count of Hainaut, bought some territory from his liegeman, Gilles de Trazegnies. A few years later, Baldwin built the Burbant Tower – which can still be seen today – to protect his new acquisition. The new city was soon given privileges and started attracting dwellers around its newly built (1325) market hall on the Grand-Place. This article covers the culture of Romanized areas of Gaul. ... Events Eric IX of Sweden is succeeded by Karl Sverkersson. ... Baldwin IV (1108 - November 8, 1171) was count of Hainaut from 1120 to his death. ... Events January 7:Alfonso IV becomes the King of Portugal. ...

Ath was the setting of the "Peace of Ath", signed on June 4, 1357 to end the question of the Brabant succession. By then, the weekly Ath market, which took place – and still takes place – on Thursdays, had started attracting sellers from a much larger region. The production of linen, cloth, hide, and luxury items such as gold ware, cabinets, and sculptures was growing fast. The population growth necessitated the building of a second wall, which was completed at the end of the 14th century. In 1416, the city built a school for the study of Latin, which Justus Lipsius attended. The city counted then about 5,000 people. is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // May 28 - Peter I becomes King of Portugal after the death of his father, Alfonso IV. July 9 - Charles Bridge in Prague is founded King David II of Scotland is released by the English in return for a ransom. ... Brabant is a former duchy in the Low Countries, and a former province of Belgium. ... This 14th-century statue from south India depicts the gods Shiva (on the left) and Uma (on the right). ... May 30 - The Catholic Church burns Jerome of Prague as a heretic. ... For other uses, see Latin (disambiguation). ... Justus Lipsius, Joost Lips or Josse Lips (October 18, 1547 — March 23, 1606), was a Flemish philologian and humanist. ...

From 1500 until now

In 1667, Ath was conquered in a single day by the army of Louis XIV and became the first French city in the Spanish Netherlands. Soon after, Vauban built new fortifications, which included no less than eight bastions. The city suffered again at the hands of the French army in 1745. At the end of the 18th century, Ath counted about 7,300 inhabitants but the population count decreased in the first half of the 19th century. // Events January 20 - Poland cedes Kyiv, Smolensk, and eastern Ukraine to Russia in the Treaty of Andrusovo that put a final end to the Deluge, and Poland lost its status as a Central European power. ... Louis XIV King of France and Navarre By Hyacinthe Rigaud (1701) Louis XIV (Louis-Dieudonné) (September 5, 1638–September 1, 1715) reigned as King of France and King of Navarre from May 14, 1643 until his death. ... This article or section should be merged with Seventeen Provinces The Spanish Netherlands was a portion of the Low Countries controlled by Spain from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. ... Sébastien Le Prestre, Seigneur de Vauban and later Marquis de Vauban (May 15, 1633 - March 30, 1707), commonly referred to as Vauban, was a Marshal of France and the foremost military engineer of his age, famed for his skill in both designing fortifications and in breaking through them. ... // Events May 11 - War of Austrian Succession: Battle of Fontenoy - At Fontenoy, French forces defeat an Anglo-Dutch-Hanoverian army including the Black Watch June 4 – Frederick the Great destroys Austrian army at Hohenfriedberg August 19 - Beginning of the 45 Jacobite Rising at Glenfinnan September 12 - Francis I is elected... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1824, the Dutch under King William I, built the Féron fort, and the city gained strategic value again. The final dismantlement of the fortifications a few years later freed much-needed land for the activities of a growing population. A new growth period took place between 1850 and 1914 thanks to the forestry, agricultural (breweries, mills) and textile industries. 1824 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... For other men at some time in history called William I of Orange-Nassau, see William of Orange. ... For the game, see: 1850 (board game) 1850 (MDCCCL) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday [1] of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

In the 20th century, most of these industries went in decline and were replaced by commercial, administrative and educational activities. In the last 30 years, several neighbourhoods were revitalized and developed, and the city's monuments renovated or restored.

July 30, 2004 explosions

The Burbant tower

The procession of Giants.

The Ghislenghien industrial park near Ath was the scene of one of Belgium's worst ever industrial disasters on July 30, 2004. Around 8:30am local time, workers constructing a new factory for abrasives firm Diamant Boart (a subsidiary of the Electrolux Group [1], [2]) reported a strong smell of gas. It is believed the gas was escaping from a high-pressure underground pipeline conveying natural gas from Zeebrugge to France, operated by gas transportation company Fluxys. Firefighters were soon on the scene and were attempting to clear the area when at least two explosions occurred at around 9:00am. The strongest of these demolished the partly-built Diamant Boart structure, and fires were started in several other buildings. The official death-toll has risen to 23, with over 120 injured. Five volunteer firemen and one police officer were among the dead. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (600x800, 150 KB) Castle Burbant, in the city of Ath, Belgium. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (600x800, 150 KB) Castle Burbant, in the city of Ath, Belgium. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... is the 211th day of the year (212th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Time zones of Europe: Light colours indicate countries that do not observe summer time Central European Time (CET) is one of the names of the time zone that is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. ... An abrasive is a material, often a mineral, that is used to shape or finish (see metal polishing and wood finishing) a workpiece through rubbing which leads to part of the workpiece being worn away. ... Diamant Boart S.A. is a world-leading manufacturer and distributor of diamond tools and related equipment for the construction and stone market. ... A subsidiary, in business, is an entity that is controlled by another entity. ... This article is about the current worldwide manufacturer of Electrolux products. ... This article is about the fossil fuel. ... The church of Zeebrugge Zeebrugge (French: Zeebruges) is a harbour-town at the coast of Belgium, a subdivision of Bruges, for which it is the modern port. ... Fluxys is a Belgium-based company, mainly acting as a natural gas operator. ... A Canadian firefighter A firefighter or fireman is trained and equipped to extinguish fires. ...

The cause of the leak has not yet been ascertained. After the explosion, damages by a construction machine were discovered on the exploded part of the pipeline and the adjacent parts. Probably these were the result of construction works a few weeks before the explosion. The pipeline probably ruptured completely on July 30, 2004 when operator Fluxys raised the pressure.

Sights

• The 12th century Burbant tower was built by Baldwin IV, Count of Hainaut and named after the neighbouring Landgraviat of Brabant.
• The city hall dates from the 17th century.
• The church of Saint Julien, rebuilt after a fire in the 19th century, still keeps a Gothic tower and apsidal chapel, as well as a famous 16th century carillon.
• The church of Saint Martin and the exterior oak calvary both date from the 16th century.

(11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... Baldwin IV (1108 - November 8, 1171) was count of Hainaut from 1120 to his death. ... The Landgraviat of Brabant shall be distinguished from the Duchy of Brabant. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... The western facade of Reims Cathedral, France. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... For the University of Regina student newspaper, see The Carillon. ... Golgotha redirects here. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ...

Festivities

• The “Ducasse”^[1] originated from a yearly procession developed in the 15th century (first mentioned in 1399) as a celebration of the consecration of the local Saint Julien church. This procession illustrated stories from the Old Testament, New Testament, Golden Legend, and Carolingian cycle. Today, the “Ducasse” is a very popular celebration that includes various festivities and lasts several days spanning the end of August and beginning of September. The highlight is the cortege of giants^[2] (in French: Cortège des géants), with David and Goliath as the most famous characters. The ducasse is listed among the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Note: Judaism commonly uses the term Tanakh to refer to its canon, which corresponds to the Protestant Old Testament. ... This article is about the Christian scriptures. ... For the Arthur Sullivan oratorio, see The Golden Legend (oratorio). ... The Matter of France, also known as the Carolingian cycle, is a body of legendary history that springs from the Old French medieval literature of the chansons de geste. ... This article is about the Biblical king of Israel. ... This article is about the biblical warrior. ... Map showing the Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage by country designation as of 2005: red (countries with 4 designations), orange (3), yellow (2) and green (1). ...

People born in Ath

• Michael Baius, theologian
• Eugène Defacqz, politician (1797-1871)
• Jean Taisner, priest and scientist (16th century)
• Louis Hennepin, Catholic priest and missionary, and explorer of the interior of North America (17th century).^[3]
• Fanny Heldy, opera soprano (19th century)
• Ernest F. Cambier, Belgian colonial pioneer (1844-1921)
• Henri Vernes, novelist (20th century)
• Guy Spitaels, politician (20th century)
• Olivier Dupuis, politician (20th century)
• Pierre Descamps, politician (20th century)

• Julian the Hospitaller, legendary saint, was according to one tradition born in Ath

Michael Baius (1513 - September 16, 1589) was a Belgian theologian. ... Henri-Eugene-Marie Defacqz (Ath, 17 September 1797-Ixelles, 1 December 1871) was a Belgian liberal politician and a magistrate. ... Jean Taisner (Taisnier) (in Latin, Johannes Taisnerius) was a Jesuit priest. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... A painting of Father Louis Hennepin discovering Saint Anthony Falls. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... Fanny Heldy Fanny Heldy (February 28, 1888 - December 13, 1973) was a Belgian-born opera soprano. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Charles-Henri-Jean Dewisme (Ath, Belgium, 1918; ), better known by his pen name Henri Vernes, is a well-known author of action and science-fiction novels, of which he published over 180 titles. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Guy Spitaels (born September 3, 1931 in Ath) is a Belgian politician of the Socialist Party. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Olivier Dupuis is a Belgian-born politician, and former Secretary of the Transnational Radical Party. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Pierre Paul Louis Albert César Descamps (Ath, 15 October 1916 – Bordeaux, 19 April 1992) was a Belgian politician and burgomaster for the PLP. Descamps was a licentiate in philosophy and literature and an industrialist. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... The legend of Julian the Hospitaller, also known as Julian the Poor, is today believed by scholars to be fully legendary. ...

References

1. ^ Meurand, R. (1981). La Ducace d’Ath, cited in fr:Ducasse d'Ath (in French). 
2. ^ Meurand, R. (1979). Géants processionnels et de cortège en Europe, en Belgique, en Wallonie, cited in fr:Ducasse d'Ath (in French). 
3. ^ (1963) Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Ath

• Cercle Royal d'Histoire et d'Archéologie d'Ath et de la Région et Musées Athois, an exhaustive list of references on the history of the Ath region, in French.
• Official site of the city, in French, Dutch, and English.
• The Ducasse of Ath, in French.