# Meilegem

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meilegem
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{{refimprove|date=May 2026}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Meilegem
| settlement_type    = Village
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = Belgium
| subdivision_type1  = Region
| subdivision_name1  = Flanders
| subdivision_type2  = Province
| subdivision_name2  = East Flanders
| subdivision_type3  = Municipality
| subdivision_name3  = Zwalm
| area_total_km2     = 2.00
| population_total   = 356
| population_as_of   = 30 January 2001
| population_density_km2 = 178
| postal_code        = 9630
| coordinates        = {{coord|50|53|N|3|43|E|type:city_region:BE}}
}}

'''Meilegem''' is a village in the [Flemish Region](/source/Flanders) of [Belgium](/source/Belgium), located in the province of [East Flanders](/source/East_Flanders). It is a submunicipality of [Zwalm](/source/Zwalm).

== History ==
Archaeological evidence indicates that the area of Meilegem was already inhabited during prehistoric times, with artefacts dating back to the [Pleistocene](/source/Pleistocene). Finds from the [Neolithic](/source/Neolithic) or Early Bronze Age, including polished flint axes, as well as traces of habitation from the [Gallo-Roman](/source/Gallo-Roman) period, have been discovered. Medieval ceramic shards of the "Pingsdorf" type have also been found. A branch of the Gallo-Roman road from [Bavay](/source/Bavay) to [Ghent](/source/Ghent) passed near the boundary with Beerlegem.<ref name=erfgoed>{{cite web |title=Meilegem |url=https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/themas/14370 |publisher=Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed |access-date=4 May 2026}}</ref><ref name=lanclus2000>{{cite book |last1=Bogaert |first1=C. |last2=Duchêne |first2=H. |last3=Lanclus |first3=Kathleen |last4=Verbeeck |first4=M. |title=Inventaris van het bouwkundig erfgoed, Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen, Gemeenten: Brakel, Horebeke, Kruishoutem, Lierde, Zingem en Zwalm |series=Bouwen door de eeuwen heen in Vlaanderen |volume=15n4 |year=2000 |publisher=Onuitgegeven werkdocumenten |language=nl}}</ref>

The village was first mentioned in 1130 as ''Meylengem'', derived from the Germanic ''Malinga-heim''. Historically, it formed part of the [Land of Aalst](/source/Land_of_Aalst) and belonged to the baanderij of Gavere. The patronage rights of the parish church were held by the [Our Lady's Abbey of Affligem](/source/Affligem_Abbey). Until 1701, the church was served by the pastor of Beerlegem.<ref name=lanclus2000 />

== Geography ==
Meilegem is a Scheldt village covering approximately 200 hectares, located in sandy loam Flanders along the Upper [Scheldt](/source/Scheldt) river. The terrain is undulating, with elevations ranging from 12 to 48 metres, including a steep slope towards the Scheldt valley northeast of the village centre. The soils are fertile and well-drained sandy loam and clay.<ref name=lanclus2000 />

The village borders Dikkelvenne (Gavere) to the north, Beerlegem to the east, Paulatem to the southeast (separated by the Munkbosbeek), Sint-Maria-Latem and Nederzwalm-Hermelgem to the south, and Zingem to the west. A notable landscape feature is the so-called "Saksenboom", a lime tree located at a road junction in the northeastern part of the village.<ref name=erfgoed />

== Landmarks ==
The parish church of Meilegem, dedicated to Saint Martin, was rebuilt in 1784 in a classicist style. The parish is currently served again by the pastor of Beerlegem, while the former rectory is rented out to private individuals.<ref name=erfgoed />

== Economy and infrastructure ==
Meilegem has historically been a predominantly agricultural community. Today, it is characterized as a rural residential village with a small centre and scattered buildings, with only a few farms still in operation.<ref name=erfgoed />

== References ==
{{commonscat}}
{{Reflist}}

Category:Zwalm
Category:Populated places in East Flanders
Category:Former municipalities of Belgium

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Meilegem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meilegem) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meilegem?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.