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Mesen (Municipality, Province of West Flanders, Belgium)

Messines

by Ivan Sache

Presentation of Mesen
Municipal flag of Mesen

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Presentation of Mesen

The municipality of Mesen (972 inhabitants, 358 ha) is located among the mounts of Western Flanders, on the linguistical border between French and Dutch. Accordingly, Mesen is a Dutch-speaking municipality with "facilities" for the French-speaking population. Mesen is located only 6 kms of the border with France, between Armentières (France) and Ieper (Belgium).
In spite of being the smallest Belgian municipality, Mesen proudly brews its own beer, called De Mesenaere/ La Messinoise, which can be enjoyed in the seven cafes of the city, which has also seven Municipal Councillors.

Mesen is one of the oldest pilgrimage places in Flanders. The Blessed Virgin is honoured in Mesen since 933. Every year, from 14 to 22 September, there is a novena and a procession called De Groote Keer.
In 1057, Countess Adèle of Flanders, daughter of King of France Robert le Pieux (996-1031) founded a Benedictine abbey for noble ladies. The abbey was transformed into a royal Institute by Empress Maria-Theresa (1745-1780) in 1776. Like the village of Mesen, the abbey was completely destroyed during the First World War. The crypt, located under the choir of the St. Nicholas' abbey-church, was used as headquarters by the German staff, and has been preserved, as well as Adèle's grave. The church