Overijse

Overijse
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Overijse
Overijse Location in Belgium Location of Overijse in Flemish Brabant
Coordinates: 50°46′N04°32′E / 50.767°N 4.533°E / 50.767; 4.533
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community
Region	Flemish Region
Province	Flemish Brabant
Arrondissement	Halle-Vilvoorde
Government
• Mayor	Inge Lenseclaes (Overijse 2002-N-VA-CD&V)
• Governing party/ies	Overijse 2002-N-VA-CD&V, DynamiekvoorOverijse
Area
• Total	44.99 km2 (17.37 sq mi)
Population  (2018-01-01) [1]
• Total	25,169
• Density	560/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Postal codes	3090
NIS code	23062
Area codes	02, 016
Website	www.overijse.be

Overijse (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈoːvərɛisə] ) is a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is a suburb of the wider Brussels metropolitan area. The municipality comprises the town of Overijse proper, and the communities of Eizer, Maleizen, Jezus-Eik, Tombeek and Terlanen. On January 1, 2023, Overijse had a total population of 25,962. ^[2] The total area is 44.99 km² (17.37 sq mi), which gives a population density of 549/km² (1,420/sq mi). Overijse is surrounded by an extensive woodlands (Sonian Forest), with paths for walking and cycling.

The official language of Overijse is Dutch. The municipality is home to a minority of French-speaking residents and, according to a 2023 census, to 4,389 expatriates including 716 Dutch, 402 French, 389 Romanians, 306 Polish and 281 Germans. ^[3]

In 1952, Albert Lootvoet, a local brewer started brewing Leffe beer. The Leffe beers were brewed in Overijse from 1952 until 1977, when the Artois breweries bought out the local brewer.

History

Overijse draws its name from the nearby river, the IJse, that flows through the region. The oldest known name is Isca; the word is likely Celtic in origin, and translated means 'Water'. Overijse was the birthplace of the 16th century humanist Justus Lipsius, a professor at Leuven who was friend of the printer and publisher Plantin.

Events

Overijse has a traditional festival every year, held in August (Druivenfeesten). The festival commemorates the industry that shaped the area, namely cultivation of grapes (Dutch druiven). ^[4] The Druivenkoers Overijse is a single-day road bicycle race during the festival. The Vlaamse Druivencross is a December cyclo-cross classic race.

Attractions

Historical sites include:

• The Late Gothic St. Martinus Church with the nave (1489), the choir (1520), and quasi Romanesque towers from the 12th century.
• IJse Castle (17th century) with a 16th-century facade and a 15th-century hunting pavilion; against the castle walls Kellebron from the 13th century.
• Townhouse (1503–1505), restored in 1963.
• By the beguinage (1264), a 15th-century Gothic castle.
• In the village of Tombeek, the 16th-century Bisdom Castle with 12th-century towers.
• Also in Tombeek, the Sanatorium Joseph Lemaire (1937), a modern building from architect Maxime Brunfaut.
• In the village of Jezus-Eik, the Baroque Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk (Our Beloved Lady Church) with a choir from 1650 and a nave from 1667, restored in 2007.
• Near Overijse there is a medium wave transmitter for the Belgian foreign radio service.

• 
  Town Hall
• 
  St. Martinus Church
• 
  Old central bus station
• 
  Lake of Overijse-Genval

Twin towns

• Lecco, Lecco, Lombardy, Italy
• Bruttig-Fankel, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
• Bacharach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
• Mâcon, Saône-et-Loire, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
• Modra, Slovakia

References

1. "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
2. "Overijse" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-02-14.
3. "Overijse" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-02-14.
4. Official Druivenfeest Program Retrieved 2010-05-26

External links

• Official website - Only available in Dutch