Last modified: 2009-03-21 by ivan sache
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The district of Merksem (41,004 inhabitants on 1 January 2007; 828 ha) was formed in 1983 when the former municipality of Merksem was merged into the municipality of Antwerp.
Merksem, probably a settlement of Gallo-Roman origin, means a settlement (heim) near a border (merk). For centuries, the village formed a single domain with Schoten and Sint-Job-in-'t-Goor (incorporated in the municipality of Brecht in 1976). Until the middle of the 19th century, Merksem remained a rural municipality supplying Antwerp with straw, which is the origin of the name of stroboeren (straw farmers) given to the inhabitants of Merksem. In dustrialization started in 1874 with the set up of S.A. Établissements Industriels et Commerciaux de Merxem, directed by Eugene Meeus.
Source: District website
Ivan Sache, 3 October 2008
![[Flag of Merksem]](../images/b/be-vanmm.gif)
Flag of the former municipality of Merksem - Image by Ivan Sache, 3 October 2008
The former flag of Merksem, still hoisted on the town hall of Antwerp, is vertically divided blue-yellow. The colours of the flag are taken from the municipal arms.
According to Servais [svm55], the arms of Merksem, granted in the Dutch national colours by (Dutch) Royal Decree in 1819 and confirmed by (Belgian) Royal Decree on 9 April 1839 are "Azur, a St. Bartholomeuw or". Bartholomeuw is the patron saint of Merksem.
Ivan Sache, 3 October 2008
In Het Nieuwsblad, 23 May 2008, Nicole Verstreppen describes various attempts to present the colours of Merksem. Proposed by the local ethnology group and supported by the district chairman, 23 May is to be the local feast day as Antoon van Strale(n) bought Merksem on that day in 1561. Put aside a few official buildings flying the flag proper, however, most enthusiasts had to make do with some objects such as balloons or possibly towels.
Jan Mertens, 23 December 2008