Brussels International
Map Collectors' Circle
For centuries, the city of Halle has belonged to the medieval county of Hainaut. Located at the north-eastern tip of Hainaut, it was the only Flemish speaking part of this French-speaking county.
This is probably why, when, in 1793, the French annexed the Austrian low-countries and created new départements, they separated Halle from the rest of Hainaut (which became département de Jemappes) and attached it to the département de la Dyle. Later on, when Belgium was created in 1830, département de la Dyle became the Brabant Province and Halle remained in it.
Halle was also famous as a market and pilgrimage centre. A black virgin offered by the Countess of Hainaut in the 13th century, attracts the faithful since the middle ages.
As a result, the name of Halle — spelt in many different ways — has appeared on many maps of both Hainaut and Brabant — some 700, according to Johan Vanvolsem, who has spent a life-time studying the toponym of his beloved city and collecting maps and ancient books where it is mentioned (a review of his publication on the subject appeared in the BIMCC Newsletter No 8, September 2000, page 9; it contains a comprehensive inventory of 535 maps where Halle is mentioned).
On Saturday 18 October 2003, some fifteen privileged BIMCC members were introduced to that collection. Johan Vanvolsem welcomed his BIMCC guests in his home, in central Halle, which also houses his land surveyor office and the headquarters of various professional associations.
Over coffee and cake, he explained how he had developed his interest for the city of Halle as well as his map collection, which extends from the 14th century until the creation of Belgium. He highlighted and presented the most remarkable pieces.
Guests were then allowed to visit the house and inspect maps hanging on the walls — up until the attic — as well as those stored in map drawers in the study.
The visit was concluded by an aperitif offered by the house Vanvolsem. Most of the group then joined Johan for lunch at a nice nearby restaurant, and later on followed him through a guided tour of historical Halle.
Johan highlighted remains of the former fortifications and the location of the castle before entering the curious basilica in which he presented, not only the notorious black virgin, but also some lesser-known details (such as this little sculpture of a naked lady riding a unicorn). Johan concluded this very nice day by treating the most faithful of his followers to a last drink in a charming café of the town square.
by Jean-Louis Renteux