Bambrugge
Village
Erpe-Mere in East-Flanders
Localisation of Bambrugge in Erpe-Mere
Localisation of Bambrugge in the community of Erpe-Mere in the arrondissement of Aalst in the province of East-Flanders.
Country	Belgium
Region	Flanders
Province	East Flanders
Arrondissement	Aalst
Municipality	Erpe-Mere
Area
• Total	2.89 km2 (1.12 sq mi)
Elevation	34 m (112 ft)
Population  (2003)
• Total	1,575
• Density	545/km2 (1,410/sq mi)
	Source: NIS
Postal code	9420

Bambrugge is a sub-municipality of Erpe-Mere in Flanders. It is located on the Molenbeek in the Denderstreek, southeast of East Flanders and belongs to the Arrondissement of Aalst. It is bordered by the sub-municipalities of Vlekkem, Ottergem, Mere, Aaigem and Burst and the municipality of Sint-Lievens-Houtem (sub-municipality Zonnegem). Bambrugge has 1575 inhabitants as of 1 January 2003 and has an area of 2.89 km. The population density is 545 inhabitants / km ². Bambrugge has also a hamlet: Egem.

History

Bambrugge was part of the village Burst until 1803. A census in 1893 reported that the village had 872 inhabitants. Bambrugge was mentioned several times in the Middle Ages. The name probably derives from the so-called banmolens (banmolen meaning compulsion mill). In these mills serfs were obliged to grind their corn. Another possibility is that the name is derived from the word "baan" (baan meaning way or road) or is a corruption of Banbrugge (Bridge of Banno, with brug meaning bridge).

Domain Steenberg

The Romans knew that there was white natural stone in Steenberg in Bambrugge, called Vlaamse Arduin or Lediaanse Steen. This white natural stone was suitable as a foundation for the masonry of Roman villas and as building material for columns and capitals of the Roman temples. By the 11th or 12th century white sandstone was extracted in Bambrugge (Steenberg). Extraction continued until after World War II. It is the administrative center of Erpe-Mere.

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  The town hall of Erpe-Mere, at Steenberg in Bambrugge
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  The sports hall of Erpe-Mere, at Steenberg in Bambrugge
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  The library of Erpe-Mere, at Steenberg in Bambrugge
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  The pool of Steenberg in Bambrugge

Landmarks

Mills

There are two water mills in Bambrugge, both located on the Molenbeek Brook: the Egemmolen and the Molens Van Sande. The Egemmolen has been largely demolished, but there are still remains of this mill and the mill house intact.

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  Mill house of the Egemmolen at Bambrugge
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  Remains of the Egemmolen at Bambrugge
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  Front view of the Molens Van Sande at Bambrugge
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  Side-view of the Molens Van Sande at Bambrugge
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  Place where the mill wheel of the Molens Van Sande once was at Bambrugge

Name(s)	Address	Type	Protected	Info
Egemmolen Meuleken Tik Tak	Everdal 21	Overshot watermill	No	Wheat mill The mill wheel has been removed and the mill largely demolished The mill house is now used as a country cottage
Molens Van Sande Kasteelmolen Celindermolen	Prinsdaal 33	Overshot watermill	No	It was originally a wheat mill and a compulsion mill Later on it was just a wheat mill The mill wheel has been removed It is now an industrial flour mill

Church and chappelles

The Sint-Martinus Church can be found in Bambrugge, with Bambrugge belonging to the deanery of Lede. As of 2012 there are still six chapels and a cave in good condition. Previously, there were at least eight chapels, with the two chapels that were not in the possession of the church having been demolished to make room for a house. The old church bell has been preserved and is located in the presbytery of Bambrugge. The former morgue of Bambrugge is renovated in 2012.

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  The church of Bambrugge
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  The old church clock of Bambrugge
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  The little chappelle at Bambruggedorp
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  The little chappelle at Dries
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  The little chappelle at Egemstraat
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  The little chappelle at Katstraat
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  The little chappelle at Kwalestraat
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  The little chappelle at Landsheerstraat
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  The cave of Bambrugge
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  The morgue of Bambrugge

Saint Anne Statue

The station of Bambrugge

Events

In the week around 26 July there is a fair in Bambrugge and the Saint Anne Statue is carried around in its procession. Each year, the Steenbergcross (cross-country race) and the Molenrock (rock festival) are held at Steenberg in Bambrugge.

Tourism

Through Bambrugge runs the Molenbeekroute. The Molenbeekroute is a cycle track network, known primarily for the mills of the municipality Erpe-Mere and two brooks that are located there, with both having the name Molenbeek (mill brook).

Sport

The football club KRC Bambrugge plays in Bambrugge, and is active in the first provincial league of the province of East Flanders.

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  Town sign: the speed limit of 50 km/h in Bambrugge
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  Town sign: no speed limit of 50 km/h any more in Bambrugge