Ronse

Town in the province of East Flanders, Belgium, 37 km/23 mi south of Ghent; population (2001 est) 25,000. The town is located on a language frontier, between Walloon and Flemish speakers and many in the town are bilingual. It is situated in a valley alongside the rivers Shelde and Dendre. Industries include cotton and woollen goods, silk, thread, hats, and shoes.

The site was occupied from prehistoric times and there is evidence of systematic cultivation of the land during Roman times. Farming activities in Ronse led to associated industries such as wool-making and drapery work. The textile industry flourished and the town became a significant manufacturer of carpets.

The Crypt of St Hermes (1089), located under the Church of St Hermes, has proved a significant place of pilgrimage. St Hermes is the patron saint of those with mental illness, and many people flocked to the Crypt in order to secure a cure. Pilgrims are recorded as visiting throughout the Middle Ages. The town also has a folklore museum (1952) and a textile museum (1985).