Lede, Belgium


Lede is a municipality in the Belgian province of East Flanders, in the Denderstreek near the cities of Gent, Aalst and Dendermonde.
In 2011, Lede had a population of 17,882 and area of 29.69 km², a population density of 575 inhabitants per km². The current mayor of Lede is Roland Uyttendaele.

Geography

The municipality comprises the sub-municipalities of Impe, Lede proper, Oordegem, Smetlede, Wanzele, and the hamlet of Papegem. All the sub-municipalities and also the hamlet are crossed by the Molenbeek.

Sandstone

The Lede Formation is a geologic formation in the subsurface of Belgium. The formation is named after Lede. It consists of shallow-marine limestone and sandstone, deposited in the former sea that covered Belgium during the Eocene. The bluestone and in particular the yellow-brown calcareous sandstone extracted from quarries in Lede and neighbouring areas, were widely used during the 15th to 18th century as construction material for religious and civil buildings.

Sights

Lede is known for a statue of the Virgin Mary, called "Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Zeven-Smarten", to which a local legend attributes magical powers. The statue attracts many pilgrims. The statue is taken around in a procession during a Sunday in June, after the biannual nine-day festival. The local church, built in 1496, houses the statue.
The abandoned Mesen Castle is situated in central Lede. It used to be the residence of the Marquess of Lede. Its demolition was started in April 2010.

Notable people