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Built on the banks of the Dender River, Aalst is a cosy provincial town in Belgium. The city is situated about 25 km from Brussels and 30 km from Ghent and many of its residents are commuters who work in the Brussels area. Historically the city was first mentioned in AD 840. In the Middle Ages, because of its location on the navigable Dender, Aalst quickly developed into the major center of the Flemish county of that name. Today, cotton processing, textile manufacture and flower growing are among the most important source of employment. Every day wholesalers gather to buy cut flowers at the modern flower market in Albrechtlaan.
There is a number of buildings of historic interest have nevertheless survived. Aalst Castle is mentioned in documents dating from as early as 866. The famous Gothic St. Martin’s Collegiate Church dates back to 1480. The city boasts the eldest belfry in the country. Located next to the town hall, the belfry contains a 52-bell carillon and it was classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1999. Aalst also is famous for its carnival festivities, celebrated every year in February – A Prince Carnival. Known as the day of the “the Dirty Jennies”, i.e. men dressed as women, this is the culmination of a year of preparation by the local residents. A big parade crosses the city on Sunday, with about 70 groups of costumed volunteers and parade cars. It attracts more than 100,000 spectators. The carnival traditionally ends with the “Burning of the Doll”, happening on Tuesday evening.
