The tower of the St. Laurence church of Wilmarsdonk standing in the middle of the busy Port of Antwerp.
Photo:Erik AJV/Shutterstock.com
Wilmarsdonk was first mentioned in the year 1155.
Geographically known as Flanders, this vast region encompassing the Low Countries is agriculturally fertile and densely populated.
This was followed by a second and third lock in quick succession.
Antwerp in the 17th century.
By 1870, eight new docks were added to the port, and export cargoes increased six-fold.
From the 1870s the Antwerp port underwent tremendous growth in the volume of cargo it handled.
Quays were extended, new docks were excavated, and more locks were added.
The old village of Wilmarsdonk.
Photo:Wikimedia Commons
The old village of Wilmarsdonk in 1899.
As the port grew it swallowed up villages on the banks of the River Scheldt.
The village of Lillo was the first to go.
Within the fort there is a small village of about forty residents.
They have their own mini harbor.
The villages of Oorderen and Oosterweel followed next.
The former parish church of Oosterweel still stands at its original location while the rest of the village disappeared.
Wilmarsdonk was the last village to be demolished.
The church tower was spared as it was the oldest and most architecturally significant piece.
The church tower of Wilmarsdonk in 1965, after the village was completely removed.
The church tower of Wilmarsdonk in the middle of the harbour.
Photo: Google Maps
The village of Wilmarsdonk demolished for the expansion of the Port of Antwerp.
Photo:Wikimedia Commons
Photo:annahelena
Photo: Port of Antwerp
The church of Oosterweel.
Photo: Google Maps
Fort Lillo by River Scheldt.
