Have you ever wondered about the whispers of history etched into a town’s very being? Asse in Flemish Brabant whispers tales of centuries. It’s a municipality boasting a rich heritage stretching back to Celtic times. Imagine the Nervii tribe settling here. Their presence is hinted at by the name itself possibly derived from a pre-Celtic word meaning “water”. The fertile soil and elevated position above the wetter plains of Flanders attracted early settlers. Stone tools found across the region bear silent witness.
Asse’s strategic location flourished under Roman rule. A Roman military road connected it to Bavay the capital of the Roman province of Nervii. The road extended northwards to Rumst. There may even have been a Roman military camp southwest of the current town center in an area known as “borgstad”. Archaeological digs continue to unearth intriguing pieces. Discoveries include pottery from 2007 and a section of a Roman road from 2008. The abundance of clay horse figurines suggests a local cult dedicated to Epona the Celtic goddess of horses.
The Frankish invasions introduced Germanic languages. These eventually evolved into present-day Dutch. The Carolingian period saw Asse as part of the Brabant region. Viking raids prompted the construction of a significant fortified site. From 1085 or 1086 Asse became part of the Duchy of Brabant under the Dukes of Leuven. The local vassal was the “Heer van Asse” the Duke’s hereditary standard bearer. Asse’s position on crucial trade routes ensured its continued growth and importance.
The St Martin’s church gained fame for its pilgrimage site. Its connection is tied to the miraculous blossoming of a tree. A hidden Host and the equally miraculous appearance of a cross spurred this. John II of Cottereau Lord of Assche was a powerful figure. He enhanced the church with significant stained-glass windows and was subsequently laid to rest within its walls. His descendants are still linked to the current Marquess of Assche a title bestowed in 1633 on the House of Cottereau.
Despite its lack of mineral resources or access to navigable waterways Asse remained a regionally significant market town. Local hop production and brewing thrived. Today Asse is a thriving commuter town for Brussels. It still retains its light industrial and commercial activities. It holds onto its history. Asse is more than a town it’s a living testament to the passage of time. It’s a place where history whispers in every cobblestone.