Courtrai

Courtrai ( Courtray as old French, Kortrijk in Dutch) is a common city and Dutch-speaking of Belgium located in Flemish Région, chief town of district in Province of Western Flanders.

It is located at the North-East of Lille in France. At January 1st 2005, it counts 73 625 inhabitants. It occupies a space of 80,03 km ².

The battles of the gold spurs took place outside its walls the July 11th 1302.

History

The Gallo-Roman Vicus of Cortoriacum was on the Roman road Cologne - Maastricht - Kassel - Boulogne-sur-Mer and that which linked Tournai and Oudenburg. During the 9th century, Baudouin II the Bald person, count de Flandre strengthened the place against the Normands. The connection which existed at the origin between the city and Tournai were broken in 1071 and Courtrai became capital of a châtellenie.

In April 1190, Philippe of Alsace confirmed the privileges of the city to which it granted the right to manage itself, so that the serfs could be established in the city as free citizens ( poorters ).

During the 13th century, Ferrand of Portugal ran up against the towns of Flanders when the king of France Philippe Auguste wanted to do it count de Flandre. Ferrand was cut off in Courtrai and the city was plundered by the troops of Gavere and Audenarde. The two parts were reconciled, but Philippe Auguste did not accept the agreement. His/her son Louis (the future Louis VIII) invades Courtrai starting from Lille and left the city in ruins. The counts of Flanders made it rebuild.

During the 13th century Courtrai became a prosperous clothier city. Quality was less than that of the more important Flemish cities and one spoke about small drapery. During the 15th century, one manufactured fabric with flax cultivated on the spot, which was more interesting.

The conflicts between the king of France and the Flanders made stagnate the economy of the city. At the time of the battles of the Gold Spurs, it was occupied by the French troops which built above it, to supervise it, a citadel whose remainders are still visible.

The city is again besieged in 1683 by Vauban.

Teaching

In Courtrai establishments of higher education are installed. There is on the one hand an antenna of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven which ensures the studies of first year in many disciplines. In addition one finds establishments of the High school Katho. This school has amongst other things departments data processing, marketing and management.

Each year, the city accommodates several hundreds of students Erasmus of all the countries of Europe, as well as Russia and Turkey. These Erasmus courses are given in English.

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