View source for Sint-Amands

{{use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Sint-Amands
| other_name         = 
| motto              = 
| settlement_type    = Town
| image_skyline      = View of Sint-Amands from across the ferry, 2008.jpg
| image_caption      = Sint-Amands on the river Scheldt
| image_flag         = Sint-Amands vlag.svg
| image_seal         = Sint-Amands wapen.svg
| image_map          = 
| pushpin_map        = Belgium
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Belgium
| pushpin_mapsize    = 250
| subdivision_type   = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Communities and regions of Belgium|Region]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Provinces of regions in Belgium|Province]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Arrondissements of Belgium|Arrondissement]]
| subdivision_type4  = Municipality
| subdivision_name   = {{flagcountry|Belgium}}
| subdivision_name1  = [[Flemish Region]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Antwerp, Belgium|Antwerp]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Arrondissement of Mechelen|Mechelen]]
| subdivision_name4  = [[Puurs-Sint-Amands]]
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="stat"/>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_sq_mi   = 
| area_total_km2     = 15.58
| area_land_sq_mi    = 
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_sq_mi   = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_urban_sq_mi   = 
| area_urban_km2     = 
| area_metro_km2     = 
| area_metro_sq_mi   = 
| population_as_of   = 2021
| population_footnotes = <ref name="stat">{{cite web|url=https://statbel.fgov.be/sites/default/files/files/opendata/bevolking/sectoren/OPENDATA_SECTOREN_2021.xlsx |title=Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 12034 |website=Statistics Belgium |access-date=10 May 2022 }}</ref>
| population_total   = 8524
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| population_metro   = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_urban   = 
| population_density_urban_km2 = 
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 
| timezone           = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset         = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|51|03|N|04|12|E|region:BE|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_ft       = 
| elevation_m        = 
| postal_code_type   = Postal code
| postal_code        = 2890
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in Belgium|Dialing code]]
| area_code          = 052, 03
| website            = 
| footnotes          = 
}}
'''Sint-Amands''' ({{IPA|nl|ˌsɪnt ɑˈmɑnts}}) is a town and a former [[Municipalities of Belgium|municipality]] located in the [[Belgium|Belgian]] province of [[Antwerp (province)|Antwerp, Belgium]]. The municipality comprises the towns of [[Lippelo]], [[Oppuurs]] and Sint-Amands proper. In 2021, Sint-Amands had a total population of 8,524.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2023 |url=https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https://statbel.fgov.be/sites/default/files/files/documents/bevolking/5.1%2520Structuur%2520van%2520de%2520bevolking/Bevolking_per_gemeente.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=view.officeapps.live.com}}</ref> The total area is 15.58&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. Sint-Amands is located at the right bank of the [[Scheldt]] river.

Effective 1 January 2019, [[Puurs]] and Sint-Amands were [[Fusion of the Belgian municipalities|merged]] into the new municipality of [[Puurs-Sint-Amands]].

== History ==
The inhabited area of Sint-Amands has been present since [[Roman Empire|Roman]] times, with Roman artifacts discovered in the modern-day municipality.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |access-date=June 1, 2024 |title=Sint-Amands |date=1995 |url=https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/themas/13515}}</ref> 

The first written reference to Sint-Amands dates to 822, in a document authored by [[Louis the Pious]], king of Carolingian Empire at that time and son of [[Charlemagne]]. Sint-Amands was the central location of the Baasrode region (today [[Dendermonde]]) and the region was given as a gift to the [[Saint-Amand Abbey]].

In the 11th century, the region split into three parts: Baasrode, Sint-Amands, and Mariekerke. During this time period, a large area of the right bank of the Scheldt River was incorporated into the [[Flanders]] region and Sint-Amands became a separate seigneury.

The establishment of a parish in Sint-Amands was first noted in 1281 in the records of the diocese of [[:nl:Oude_bisdom_Kamerijk|Kamerijk]]. In 1559, the parish merged with the diocese of [[Mechelen]] until 1600 when it merged with the diocese of [[Ghent]]. In 1801, the parish once again presided under the diocese of Mechelen.

== Industry<ref name=":0" /> ==
Until the 19th century, Sint-Amands was an agricultural town. There were several large farms, but most land was divided into smaller farms.

Prior to the construction of the Brussels-Willebroek canal, Sint-Amands saw heavy shipping traffic with barges heading to [[Brussels]], Mechelen, [[Antwerp]], Dendermonde, and [[Temse]].

==Points of interest==
===Heritage Railway===
[[File:Cockerill.jpg|thumb|Historic steam train]]
[[File:Sint-Amanduskerk (Sint-Amands) 04.jpg|thumb|Sint-Amands church]]
The [[Dendermonde-Puurs Steam Railway]] is a [[heritage railway|heritage railroad]] that links up Puurs and Dendermonde. The maintenance road that runs alongside serves as a bicycle track. Bikers can leave the track in Sint-Amands and follow the scenic route up North on the banks of the river Scheldt. 

===Émile Verhaeren Museum===
[[File:GrafVerhaeren.jpg|thumb|Grave of Emile Verhaeren]]
[[Émile Verhaeren|Émile Adolphe Gustave Verhaeren]] (Dutch: [vərˈɦaːrən]; 21 May 1855 – 27 November 1916) was a Belgian poet who wrote in the French language and an art critic. He was one of the founders of the school of Symbolism and was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature on six occasions. 

=== Grave of Emile Verhaeren ===
The tomb of the poet Emile Verhaeren sits on the bank of the Scheldt River, near the Sint-Amands church. 

===Mill Museum===
Various models and mill arrangements can be found within the museum. The museum also houses books, reference works, photos, magazines, newspaper clippings and paintings.

=== Sint-Amands Church ===
The [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] church of Sint-Amands dates back to 1417 and remains in use to this day. 

=== Fourage Castle ===
[[File:Sint-Amands Kuitegemstraat 27 - 155386 - onroerenderfgoed.jpg|thumb|Fourage castle]]
Fourage castle is a former manufacturer villa built in 1912. The building was owned by a Mr. Fourage, the owner of a chemical fertilizer factory. In the 1960s, the building was rented to the Zonnehuis Foundation as a home for abandoned children. 

=== Our Lady of the Dark Chapel (Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Ten-Donkerekapel) ===
[[File:Kapel van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Ten Donkere-2.JPG|thumb|Kapel van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Ten Donkere]]A small chapel dedicated to the [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Virgin Mary]] containing an altar dating to the 1700s.

==Notable People==
* Emmanuel Benedict Rollier 1769-1851). Leader of the [[Peasants' War (1798)|Peasants' War]] of 1798.
* [[James Oliver Van de Velde]] (1795-1855). President of [[Saint Louis University|St. Louis University]], [[Roman Catholic Archbishop of Chicago#Bishops|Bishop of Chicago]] and [[Natchez, Mississippi|Natchez]].
* [[Jan Ferguut|Jan Amandus van Droogenbroeck]] (1835-1902). Poet and writer.
* [[Emile Verhaeren]] (1855-1916). Poet. His grave is located on the bank of the Scheldt river.
* Arthur Borms (1890 -1952). Politician.
* Romain De Saegher (1907-1986). Artist.
* Didier De Witte (1934-1970). Writer.

==See also==
* [[Klein-Brabant]]
* [[Puurs-Sint-Amands]]






==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*[http://www.sint-amands.be Official website] - Information available in [[Dutch language|Dutch]] and limited information in [[French language|French]]

{{Geographic location
|Centre = Sint-Amands
|North     = [[Bornem]]
|East      = [[Puurs]]
|Southeast = [[Londerzeel]] ([[Flemish Brabant|VBR]])
|South     = [[Buggenhout]] ([[East Flanders|VOV]])
|West      = [[Hamme, Belgium|Hamme]] ([[East Flanders|VOV]]) / ''[[Scheldt]]''
}}

{{Belgian municipality Puurs-Sint-Amands}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Puurs-Sint-Amands]]
[[Category:Former municipalities of Antwerp Province]]
[[Category:Populated places in Antwerp Province]]
{{Antwerp-geo-stub}}