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Dirk Martens

Dirk Martens

Highlight • Monument

Dirk Martens

Name: Dirk Martens
Rating: 2

Recommended by 46 hikers

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Location: East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Dirk Martens

4.6

(5)

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1. Belfry and District House – Aalst City Park 1915 - 1916 loop from Aalst

16.3km

04:10

60m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

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2. Belfry and District House – Aalst City Park 1915 - 1916 loop from Aalst

8.16km

02:05

30m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

3.6

(5)

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3. Aalst City Park 1915 - 1916 – Dirk Martens loop from Aalst-Kerrebroek

12.5km

03:11

40m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

Katrien

December 11, 2021

This Aalst native is generally regarded as the importer of the printing press in the southern Netherlands. In 1473 he founded his first studio in Aalst.
His statue was designed and cast by Jean Geefs. In 1856 it got its permanent place on the Grote Markt. The typical colors of green and black oxidized bronze allow the inhabitants of Aalst to invariably describe this statue as 'the black man' (or in 't Oiljsters: 'the sweaty moon').

He was also an important promoter of humanism in Europe at the time. He published, among other things, the work of his good friend Erasmus, printed the first edition of Thomas More's Utopia and the travelogues of Christopher Columbus.

You can admire a replica of his printing press in Utopia.

Dirk Martens died in Aalst in 1534 and became an honorary citizen of the city of Aalst on November 25, 2015.

Source: aalst.be artikel/dirk-martens-aalst-1446-aalst-1534

Translated by Google •

Willem VS

September 27, 2020

Dirk Martens was born in Aalst around 1446 as the child of a wealthy family. After his training he went to Venice to learn the trade of printing. In 1473 he founded his first studio where he printed three novels and thus became the first printer in the southern Netherlands. Until 1486 it remained quiet for a while, but then he founded a second studio in Aalst and a few years later also in Leuven and Antwerp. In 1529 he left the printing business to his son-in-law. Dirk Martens died in 1534. He got a statue on the Grote Markt in 1856. Sat was not only because he pioneered the printing of books in the Low Countries, but also because he brought humanism to our regions through various editions. the people of Aalst sometimes call this statue the "black man" because the bronze is so discolored.

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🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

March 10, 2022

However busy it can be on the Grote Markt in Aalst, the medieval master printer Dirk Martens (°1447 +1534) is not concerned. He has been on the Grote Markt since 1856 to put a stop to the crowds. He knows how to trigger many passers-by by his cast glance.
Just press the pause button and enjoy the hustle and bustle around you together with Dirk.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 10 m

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Sunday 30 November

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Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h

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Location: East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Dirk Martens

1. Belfry and District House – Aalst City Park 1915 - 1916 loop from Aalst

2. Belfry and District House – Aalst City Park 1915 - 1916 loop from Aalst

3. Aalst City Park 1915 - 1916 – Dirk Martens loop from Aalst-Kerrebroek

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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