Hoeilaart

Geschiedenis

Hoeilaart is a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium. The name Hoeilaart is of Gallic-Celtic origin, coming from "Ho-Lar," meaning a high clearing in the woods. Residents are called Hoeilanders or Doenders. The municipality only comprises the town of Hoeilaart proper. On January 1, 2006, Hoeilaart had a total population of 10,074. The total area is 20.43 km² which gives a population density of 493 inhabitants per km². Hoeilaart also sometimes called "The Glass Village" because of the greenhouse grape cultivation that once took place.The official language is Dutch. Local minorities consist of nationals from many European union-countries, USA and Canada, and from French-speakers.AttractionsForest Museum Jan van Ruusbroec Neo-Romanesque Church dating from 1870-1874Kasteel de Man "Serristenvillas" from the 1920sSmeyberghoeveThe old millhouse of the Groenendael Priory Famous inhabitants Jan van Ruusbroec (1291-1381), one of the greatest mystics of the southern Netherlands. Armand Pien, weather forecaster on Flemish TV Marc Sleen, comics artist, author of Nero, lawyer, politician Walter Baele