page_title: Zaventem
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Zaventem / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Ferdinand de Boischott (1571-1649), Baron Zaventem
context_page_description: Zaventem is a Belgian municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant. It is located in the Dijleland area, one of the three large recreational areas which together form the Groene Gordel around the Brussels-Capital Region. The municipality comprises the subdivisions or deelgemeenten of Nossegem, Sint-Stevens-Woluwe, Sterrebeek and Zaventem proper. On 1 January 2006 Zaventem had a total population of 28,651. The total area is 27.62 square kilometres, which gives a population density of 1,037 inhabitants per km². The official language is Dutch as it is within the Flemish Region. Zaventem is the home of Brussels Airport, together with neighbouring town of Diegem.
context_section_description: The earliest history of Zaventem goes back to the neolithic and the Roman era. From burial remains it has become clear that the area also was inhabited during the times of the Frankish Empire and the Merovingian dynasty. Zaventem was part of the County of Ukkel and the County of Leuven successively before it was added to the Duchy of Brabant. Around the tenth century, Zaventem was owned by the Abbey of Nivelles. The village center arose at the crossing of two important roads between Vilvoorde and Tervuren, and between Brussels and Erps, with the church at the center of this growing village. The parish was established before the ninth century but the church, which was named after the patron saint Saint Martin, came to be owned by the Abbey of Nivelles at the end of the ninth century. In 1147 the right of ownership was transferred to the Diocese of Cambrai. The parish remained dependent on this diocese until 1559 after which the Archdiocese of Mechelen took it over.
caption: Ferdinand de Boischott (1571-1649), 1st Baron of Saventhem (painted by Anthony van Dyck, 1630)
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