Zichem Market

The atmospheric market is decorated by rows of trees, a kiosk, some old houses and the White Monument. Zichem was once a city. Probably shortly after 1302 the domain or Land of Zichem was created. It included the city and eight Hageland villages. Prosperity came with the cloth industry and shipping on the Demer. In 1398 Zichem fell into the hands of the Lord of Diest and therefore of Orange-Nassau. As Oranjestad, the place was in the line of fire. The capture by the Spaniards heralded the end of prosperity. After 1830 Zichem lost its urban status and in 1928 it had to watch patiently as the municipality of Averbode was created on the hamlet of Heide. The St. Eustachian Church was founded between 1300 and 1500. It is built of brown-red iron sandstone in the Brabant Demergotiek. The interior includes a late 14th-century stained glass window, probably the oldest in the country.

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