Mesen (; , historically used in English) is a municipality and city located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. On 1 January 2006, Mesen had a total population of 988. The total area is 3.58&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> which gives a population density of 276 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup>.

The municipality comprises only one main settlement, the town of Mesen proper. An exclave to the west of the main territory is surrounded by the municipalities of Heuvelland and Comines-Warneton.

thumb|300px|none|The territory of Mesen (marked 'I') and its immediate neighbours. Built-up areas are shown in yellow.

Villages neighbouring the municipality:

  • a. Wijtschate (in the municipality of Heuvelland)
  • b. Warneton (in the municipality of Comines-Warneton)
  • c. Ploegsteert (in the municipality of Comines-Warneton)

Mesen is the smallest city in Belgium. It is a municipality with language facilities.

Mesen is twinned with Featherston in New Zealand in part due to the location of the New Zealand World War I Memorial, which has annual Anzac Day commemorations on 25 April.

History

In 1062, Adela, wife of Baldwin the Pius, count of Flanders, translated the bones of Saint Sidronius from Rome to Messines.

Three battles were fought over the town during World War I (1914–1918):

  • Battle of Messines (1914)
  • Battle of Messines (1917) and Mines in the Battle of Messines
  • Battle of the Lys (1918)

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Image:Kerktoren Mesen.JPG|Church tower from Mesen

Image:Sint-Niklaaskerk.JPG|Sint-Niklaaskerk

Image:MESSINES RIDGE BRITISH CEMETERY.JPG|Messines Ridge British Cemetery

Image:Tower, Irish Peace Park, Mesen, Belgium.jpg|Tower, Irish Peace Park in Mesen

Image:IR Lübeck 029 – Meesen-Befehl.jpg|German Order for Mesen 7 April 1918

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References

  • Official website – in