Editing Sint-Niklaas (section)

==History==

===Thirteenth-century origins===
Although some traces of pre-Roman activity have been found on the territory of Sint-Niklaas, the regional centre during [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] times was neighbouring [[Waasmunster]], better located on the river Durme. [[Belsele]] was already mentioned in a 9th-century document. The history of Sint-Niklaas proper, however, starts in 1217, when the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Tournai|bishop of Tournai]], following advice from the local clergy, founded a church dedicated to [[Saint Nicholas]] here. The new parish was to depend on the [[See of Tournai]] until the middle of the 16th century. Politically, however, it was part of the [[County of Flanders]]. The power of [[Flanders]] at that time favoured the rapid economic development of the city, which became the administrative centre of the region in 1241. A document dated from 1248 records that [[Margaret II, Countess of Flanders]], ceded additional territory to the parish of Sint-Niklaas with the proviso that it would remain bare, which explains the unusual size of the central market square today.{{clarify|date=March 2017}}

===14th to 17th century===

The city was never walled, which made it an easy target for conquest. In 1381, it was engulfed by fire and plundered. However, the central location of Sint-Niklaas between [[Ghent]] and [[Antwerp]], not far from the [[Scheldt]], favoured further development. By 1513, [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Maximilian]] had granted the city the right to hold a weekly market. Around 1580, the church of Saint Nicholas suffered heavy damage from roving [[Iconoclasm|iconoclasts]]. The 17th century was generally a period of prosperity that was marked by economic growth, mostly in the flax and wool industries. This was also the time when Sint-Niklaas was endowed with administrative buildings and three cloistered communities ([[Oratory of Saint Philip Neri|Oratorians]], [[Franciscan]]s, and [[Nun|Black Sisters]]), which provided educational, religious, and medical services to the region. On 25 May 1690 another fire destroyed most of the city. During this period the famous Spanish noble family Sanchez de Castro y Toledo resided in Sint-Niklaas.<ref>Recuerdos españoles en Flandes, Volume 3</ref>

===18th century until now===
In the 18th century, the [[Austria]]n regime was favourable to Sint-Niklaas. The flagship textile industry adapted well to mechanization and added cotton products to its portfolio in 1764. At the end of the century, the [[French Revolution]] brought its mixture of religious intolerance and modern administration to the city. [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon]] came to visit Sint-Niklaas in 1803 and officially promoted it to the rank of city. The 19th century witnessed a general decline in the textile industry. Several new buildings were erected, including the current city hall and the ''Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk'' (Church of Our-Lady). 

During the start of [[World War II]], Sint-Niklaas was bombed multiple times by the German forces. On May 10 1940, the first bombing took place by the [[Luftwaffe]]. The road leading from Ghent to Antwerp (today known as the N70 motorway) was hit by [[Incendiary device|incendiary bombs]] at the height of Tereken and the Baenslandwijk, causing no major damage and only 15 injuries. Two days later, on the 12th of May, when the Ankerstraat, Antwerpse Steenweg, Klein Hulst, Lindenstraat en Papenakkerstraat were all hit by [[brisance]] and incendiary bombs. The attack killed two civilians and caused the local [[Dean (Christianity)|Dean]] to burn to the ground. The biggest attack happened on the 17th of May: at around 12:30, bombs of either 2 or 4 Luftwaffe planes hit the Dalstraat, Gasmeterstraat, Molendreef (today known as the Kroonmolenstraat) and the Spoorweglaan. The bombing raid caused considerable damage and killed over 80 civilians of the city, including 2 soldiers. 70 civilians were killed instantly. 51 of these deaths were refugees from the Dutch city of [[Breda]] who were travelling to Antwerp. They hid in the local female elementary school at the Gasmeterstraat when the school was hit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.archiefsintniklaas.be/verhalen/meidagen-1940|title=Meidagen 1940|date=14 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oorlogsbronnen.nl/bombardement/Bombardement%20op%20Sint-Niklaas|title=Bombardement op Sint-Niklaas|date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hln.be/sint-niklaas/laatst-overlevende-bombardementen-17-mei-1940-bezoekt-oorlogsmonument~aec54a16/|title=Laatst overlevende bombardementen 17 mei 1940 bezoekt oorlogsmonument|date=18 May 2015}}</ref> After this attack, two more followed. On the 19th of May, an air raid with brisance bombs killed 8 civilians and injured 20 more. A bomb also hit the church of Saint Nicholas from the roof but failed to detonate, saving the church from complete destruction. Two other bombs destroyed the [[Leadlight|leaded windows]] of the church. On the 28th of May, the last bombing raid on Sint-Niklaas occurred. The Hertenstraat was hit by the Luftwaffe, hitting three residential buildings as a result and injuring one civilian, who later died at the hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sint-niklaas.be/herdenking-17-mei|title=Herdenking 17 mei|date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sint-niklaas.be/sites/portaal/files/2020-05/OIDS_1940.pdf|title=Stad Sint-Niklaas: Oorlog in de stad|date=1990}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pieterserrien.be/2015/05/21/duitse-bombardementen-op-belgie-tijdens-de-tweede-wereldoorlog/|title=Duitse bombardementen op België tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog|date=21 May 2015}}</ref>

After WWII, the textile industry of Sint-Niklaas never recovered and went through a crisis. Today, the historic centre of the city has become mostly a shopping and services district.