Veurne

Veurne is a city and municipality in the Belgian province of West Flanders, known in French as Furnes. Besides the town proper the municipality takes in the settlements of Avekapelle, Booitshoeke, Bulskamp, De Moeren, Eggewaartskapelle, Houtem, Steenkerke, Vinkem, Wulveringem and Zoutenaaie. It is first mentioned in 877 as a possession of Saint Bertin Abbey in Saint-Omer, was fortified against Viking raids around 890, and became the head of a large castellany owing allegiance to the Count of Flanders. It gained city status in the 12th century, traded with England until relations broke down in 1270, and the long economic decline that followed earned its people the nickname of the Veurne Sleepers. Vauban fortified it in the 17th century. In the First World War the city hall served as headquarters of the Belgian troops under King Albert I during the Battle of the Yser. The Grote Markt is lined with Renaissance buildings including the Landhuis and the belfry, which belongs to the UNESCO Belfries of Belgium and France site, and the annual Boeteprocessie of hooded penitents is held on the last Sunday of July.