TURNHOUT

municipality, Antwerp province, northern Belgium. It lies on the Antwerp-Turnhout Canal near the Dutch border, northeast of Antwerp. Believed to date back to Frankish times, it was first recorded in the 12th century as a market centre. Historical structures include the 15th-century castle of the dukes of Brabant (now the Palace of Justice), the Church of St. Peter (begun 1484) with a carillon, and a bguinage (a secular retreat for nuns) dating from the 14th century. The Taxandria Museum has a collection of local antiquities; also notable is the Playing Card Museum. Turnhout is the commercial centre of an agricultural district; but its economy is based on services and manufacturing. Diamond cutting and the production of paper, bricks, cement, leather goods, tobacco products, lace, playing cards, books, and electrical equipment are the main activities. Pop. (1991) mun., 37,874; (1993 est.) mun. 38,419.