Hemiksem

Hemiksem (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦeːmɪksɛm], historical spellings Heymissen and Hemixem) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality only comprises the town of Hemiksem proper. In 2021, Hemiksem had a total population of 11,722. The total area is 5.44 km².^[2]

Hemiksem
Municipality
Sint Bernardusabdij in Hemiksem
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Hemiksem
Hemiksem Location in Belgium Location of Hemiksem in the province of Antwerp
Coordinates: 51°09′N 04°21′E
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community
Region	Flemish Region
Province	Antwerp
Arrondissement	Antwerp
Government
• Mayor	Luc Bouckaert (CD&V)
• Governing party/ies	CD&V, Vooruit
Area
• Total	5.48 km2 (2.12 sq mi)
Population  (2020-01-01)[1]
• Total	11,634
• Density	2,120/km2 (5,500/sq mi)
Postal codes	2620
NIS code	11018
Area codes	03
Website	www.hemiksem.be

History

The village was first mentioned in 1155 as Hamincsem. In 1246, Cistercian monks established St. Bernard's Abbey, Hemiksem near the Scheldt, and became Lords of the heerlijkheid (landed estate) Hemiksem. The area used to be heavily forest. In 1358, the first brickworks was established, but it was an agricultural area until the 19th century. During the 19th century, Hemiksem started to industrialise and grow.^[3]

Sights

The most notable sight in Hemiksem is the 13th century St. Bernard's Abbey, which now houses the town hall and police headquarters, after having undergone extensive renovations in the past decade.^[when?]

Gallery

• 
  Former St. Bernards Abbey
• 
  Sunset over the river Scheldt seen from Hemiksem.
• 
  Photo taken at a Hemiksem fishing pond.
• 
  Ferry of Bazel-Hemiksem