Aalst, Belgium

Aalst
Province:	East Flanders
District:	Aalst
Area:	78.12 km²
Population:	76,852 (2004)
Population density:	983.83 /km²

Aalst (fr: Alost) is a municipality on the Dender, 19 miles northwest from Brussels. It is located in the Flemish province of East Flanders and in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. The municipality comprises the city of Aalst proper and the towns of Baardegem, Erembodegem, Gijzegem, Herdersem, Hofstade, Meldert, Moorsel and Nieuwerkerken. On January 1st, 2004 Aalst had a total population of 76,852 (37,577 males and 39,275 females). The total area is 78.12 km² which gives a population density of 983.83 inhabitants per km². In Aalst there is a famous carnaval celebrated every year in february for which a 'prince carnival' is elected. Sunday is the day when a big parade crosses the city, this parade consists of +- 70 groups of volunteers who create everything themselves (costumes, parade cars, ...). Carnaval Tuesday is known as the day of the 'Voil Jeannetten' (men dress up as women).

Aalst's St. Martin's Collegiate Church is one of the grandest in Belgium. It contains a famous painting by Rubens, "St. Roche beseeching Christ to arrest the Plague at Alost."

Belfry ©Jeffery Howe