{{Infobox settlement |official_name = Olmen |other_name = |motto = |settlement_type = Village |image_skyline = Olmen - Sint-Willibrorduskerk.jpg |image_caption = Saint Willibrord Church |image_flag = |image_seal = |image_map = |pushpin_map = Belgium |pushpin_label_position = left |pushpin_map_caption = Location in Belgium |pushpin_mapsize = 250 |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_type1 = Region |subdivision_type2 = Province |subdivision_type3 = Municipality |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name = {{flagcountry|Belgium}} |subdivision_name1 = Flemish Region |subdivision_name2 = Antwerp |subdivision_name3 = Balen |subdivision_name4 = |established_title = |established_date = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |area_footnotes = <ref name="stat"/> |area_magnitude = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_total_km2 = 17.03 |area_land_sq_mi = |area_land_km2 = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_urban_km2 = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |population_as_of = 2021 |population_footnotes = <ref name="stat">{{cite web|url=https://statbel.fgov.be/sites/default/files/files/opendata/bevolking/sectoren/OPENDATA_SECTOREN_2021.xlsx |title=Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 13003B |website=Statistics Belgium |access-date=9 May 2022 }}</ref> |population_total = 3,788 |population_density_km2 = auto |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |timezone = CET |utc_offset = |coordinates = {{Coord|51.14119|5.15079|region:BE_type:city|display=title, inline}} |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_ft = |elevation_m = |website = |footnotes = }} '''Olmen''' is a village in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. The village is part of the municipality of Balen.
Olmen is known in the area for its Carnival, which still follows medieval traditions.
==History== The village was first mentioned as Olmele in 1288. Olmen was an independent ''heerlijkheid'' and an agricultural community. In 1977, the municipality was merged into Balen.<ref name="erfgoed">{{cite web|url=https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/themas/14468 |title=Olmen |website=Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed|access-date=30 October 2020|language=nl}}</ref>
==Carnaval== {{further|Carnival#Belgium}}
The Carnaval in Olmen does not have a parade, but is celebrated with the medieval Hanenkappen. The person who manages to decapitate the rooster becomes the king of its party.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/dmf20170228_02755295 |title=Carnaval zoals in de Middeleeuwen: dit moet je weten over het hanenkappen in Olmen |website=Gazet van Antwerpen|access-date=30 October 2020|language=nl}}</ref>
==Zoo== thumb|left|Bear and wolves resting in Pakawi Park The Pakawi Park is a zoo in the village which specializes in felidae. The zoo used to be called Olmen Zoo, but was closed in 2017, due to animal welfare breaches. The owner and employees fixed most of the problems and at least tripled the living quarters of the animals. The zoo reopened on 22 June 2019 as Pakawi Park.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hln.be/balen/olmense-zoo-wordt-pakawi-park-vroeger-zaten-we-op-de-norm-of-net-eronder-nu-ruimschoots-erboven~a694590f/ |title=Olmense Zoo wordt Pakawi Park: "Vroeger zaten we op de norm of net eronder, nu ruimschoots erboven" |website=Het Laatste Nieuws|access-date=30 October 2020|language=nl}}</ref>
==References== <references/>
== External links == * {{commons category-inline}}
Category:Populated places in Antwerp Province Category:Balen
{{Antwerp-geo-stub}}