Under the lime tree on the market in Westerlo

The more than thousand-year-old Westerlo was administered from the thirteenth century by the powerful lords of Wezemaal, who were hereditary marshals of the Duchy of Brabant. They built the keep of the castle of Westerlo, had a guest house erected and ensured that the Grote Nete was made navigable.
In 1464, John II of Wezemaal died without legal male descendants and the domain passed to Charles the Bold, later Duke of Burgundy. Already in 1484 Westerlo came to the van Merode family. Since then, the name of the municipality has been inextricably linked to the noble family of Merode. In 1625 the land of Westerlo was elevated to marquisate. In the struggle for independence of Belgium, several members of the Van Merode family played an important role. The family lot is still owned by the family.
The eye-catcher on the Grote Markt is the centuries-old Marktlinde, a beautiful example of a Dutch lime tree pruned in the first floor. This lime tree is said to have been planted around 1630. Historical floor trees were usually formed in three floors: the lower floor depicts the people, the middle floor symbolizes the clergy and the top floor symbolizes God. The linden of Westerlo has only two floors, the lower of which must be supported by a cast and wrought iron frame from 1871. In 2006, the lime tree had a trunk circumference of 4.25 meters and a cross diameter of 17 meters. In the beginning of the 20th century, the circumference measured approximately 3.50 meters.
A little further on the square is the monument of Count Henri de Merode. Henri de Merode was born in 1856. He was mayor from 1892 until his death in 1908, but was best known as minister of the interior. The white marble statue was inaugurated in 1913. The figures next to the count represent the law and the faith.

Jan Rymenams