Eeklo, city in East Flanders, Belgium
Eeklo is a city in East Flanders province in eastern Belgium, located between the larger cities of Ghent and Bruges. It features old brick buildings, a central square, and quiet streets that reflect its long history spanning many centuries.
Eeklo developed from an oak forest settlement and became a prosperous cloth production center in the Middle Ages, with its fabrics known as far as Germany. The city later endured severe hardships from wars, fires, and epidemics, but recovered through a return to agriculture and later through the printing trade.
The name Eeklo comes from Dutch words meaning oak forest, showing how the natural landscape shaped the town from its beginning. Today the city serves as the capital of Meetjesland, a region recognized for its farms and rural character.
The city connects well by train to Ghent and Bruges, and cycling is popular among locals and visitors with many paved paths available. Markets operate every Thursday in the central square, where farmers and craftspeople sell fresh goods and local items.
The Van Han printing business became the city's first print shop when founded in 1718, with the family continuing the work for many decades. This early press helped bring new ideas and literacy to the community during a time when most people could not read or write.
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