Merksem

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A district of the city of Antwerp. It has almost 41000 inhabitants.

[edit] History

The history of Merksem goes back to the Gallo-Roman times. During that period the region was mentioned as Merk(border) and Heim(settlement) being part of the diocese Kamerijk. Merksem has for centuries been part of one big community together with Schoten and Sint-Job-in-'t-Goor. In the 16th century Merksem was separated from Schoten.

The important road, currently known as Bredabaan, passed through Merksem and was one of the big northern roads leading to Antwerp. Another important axis in Merksem is the Albert Canal.

People living in Merksem are also called Stroboeren(Straw peasants) because in early times they delivered straw to Antwerp.