Escanaffles
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Escanaffles | |
|---|---|
 Rue Provinciale | |
  Escanaffles  Escanaffles | |
| Coordinates: 50°45′21″N 3°26′50″E / 50.755879°N 3.447360°E | |
| Country |  Belgium |
| Region |  Wallonia |
| Province | Hainaut Province |
| Municipality | Celles, Hainaut |
| Population | |
• Total | 1,200 |
Escanaffles is a village of Wallonia in the Belgian municipality of Celles, Hainaut Province.
Escanaffles is on the east bank of the Scheldt. The brook Rhosnes exits into the Scheldt just north of Escanaffles. Due to the canalization of the Scheldt some small areas of the former municipality are now on the other bank of the Scheldt.[citation needed]
History
According to the chronicle 'Annales Historiae Illustrium Principum Hannoniae' ("Annals of the History of Illustrious Princes of Hainaut") by Jacques de Guyse (1334−1399), Escanaffles was probably founded by Ambiorix as the fortress Catavulcus to protect a crossing the Scheldt.[1] This is not a reliable story, but one can assume that De Guyse noted something at Escanaffles. In 1363 a 'fortresse d'Escanaffles' was mentioned.[2]
Later, others reported that Escanaffles had been founded as a Viking fortress.[3] In the mid-nineteenth century, a site named 'Field of Grand Breucq' called 'Fort d'Escanaffles' was identified opposite the village church.[4]
In 1872 the Escanaffles Sugar Factory was founded. It was closed down in 1990.[3]
Until 1977, Escanaffles was a separate municipality. Its independence was ended by the Fusion of the Belgian municipalities, after which it became part of Celles municipality.