User:Nicolas Veys/Mainvault

Mainvault is a Belgian municipality located in the province of Hainaut.

• Story

With the lack of archaeological research, the far past of Mainvault remains still unknown despite a few discoveries. Nonetheless, the Roman roadway from Bavay to Velzeke goes around the village by the west. An important lordly family appears in the texts from the 12th century. Afterwards, the main part of the town belonged to the fief of the Lahamaide then to the Egmont; what remains of the locality belongs to several ecclesiastic or lay lords.

Dedicated to St Peter, the church depended on the chapter of Cambrai during the old regime. Rebuilt at the end of the 18th century, its style is neo-classical, made in rocks and bricks.

Economically speaking, Mainvault is mainly an agricultural municipality, the meadow predominates since 1950. In addition to the three windmills, two breweries and one salt refinery, the only non-agricultural activity was, until the end of the 19th century, flax spinning and weaving fabric.

Next to several buildings of great architecture, like the presbytery (1723), the farm of Billebacq (18th c.) and the farm of the Square (19th c.), the Calvary can’t be unnoticed. Established on the side of the hill at the beginning of the 19th c. these set of sculptures made in blue stones is signed by JJ. Bottemanne, Soignies, 1775. This master from Soignies is also the author of the Calvary built in Lens and in Vlamertinge. Firstly placed in the niche under the Christ, the Burial of Jesus (1400) is currently kept in the Historical and Folkloric Museum of Ath. A modern Burial took its place and has become a place of pilgrimage ever since.