Duffel (Dutch pronunciation:[ˈdʏfəl]ⓘ) is a municipality in the Belgian province of Antwerp.

The municipality comprises the town of Duffel proper. On 1 January 2020, Duffel had a total population of 17,664. The total area is 22.71km2, which gives a population density of 778 inhabitants per km2.

The area is the eponym of a coarse woollen cloth, manufactured in this area from the 11th century, mainly used to make blankets, outdoor (army) coats and tote bags. Duffel became a household name during and after World War II in the meaning of a coat designed with toggle-and-loop fastening and roomy hood.

The etymology of Duffel is from "dubro" and "locus", from the Gaulish dubrum, dubron – "water".

In 1836, the Duffel railway station opened on the Brussels-North to Antwerp railway line.

Duffel cloth

The town gives its name to a type of heavy woolen cloth generally used to make blankets and overcoats, especially for the armed forces, and a type of luggage. In the Middle Ages, an important part of the region's industry was the manufacturing of Flemish laken (a broadcloth), while the cloth produced in Duffel was a thicker variation. The manufacturing process was brought to England by Flemish emigrants in the 1500s. The name for the cloth was so well-known, a type of overcoat made from the cloth and manufactured in England received the name Duffel coat.

Notable natives

Climate

Climate data for Duffel (1991−2020 normals)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)6.7 (44.1)7.7 (45.9)11.2 (52.2)15.5 (59.9)19.0 (66.2)21.8 (71.2)23.9 (75.0)23.7 (74.7)20.1 (68.2)15.4 (59.7)10.4 (50.7)7.1 (44.8)15.2 (59.4)
Daily mean °C (°F)4.0 (39.2)4.4 (39.9)7.1 (44.8)10.3 (50.5)14.1 (57.4)17.0 (62.6)19.1 (66.4)18.7 (65.7)15.4 (59.7)11.5 (52.7)7.4 (45.3)4.5 (40.1)11.1 (52.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)1.3 (34.3)1.1 (34.0)2.9 (37.2)5.3 (41.5)9.2 (48.6)12.2 (54.0)14.3 (57.7)13.8 (56.8)10.7 (51.3)7.5 (45.5)4.3 (39.7)1.9 (35.4)7.0 (44.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches)68.0 (2.68)60.3 (2.37)54.1 (2.13)40.8 (1.61)55.4 (2.18)72.6 (2.86)76.3 (3.00)81.6 (3.21)69.3 (2.73)64.4 (2.54)74.3 (2.93)84.2 (3.31)801.3 (31.55)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)11.911.110.48.59.59.810.210.19.610.612.113.4127.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours617713418821821822321016311766511,726
Source: Royal Meteorological Institute

Gallery

  • Fort van Duffel
  • Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van de Goede Wil church
  • Betlehem Convent
  • Pub in Duffel

See also

External links

  • Media related toDuffelat Wikimedia Commons