Bilzen
Bilzen
| |
|---|---|
City and municipality | |
Alden Biesen Castle | |
|
Flag Coat of arms | |
Location of Bilzen in Limburg | |
Interactive map of Bilzen | |
Bilzen Location in Belgium | |
| Coordinates: 50°52′N 05°31′E / 50.867°N 5.517°E | |
| Country | Belgium |
| Community | Flemish Community |
| Region | Flemish Region |
| Province | Limburg |
| Arrondissement | Tongeren |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Bruno Steegen (Open VLD, Beter Bilzen) |
| • Governing parties | Beter Bilzen, TOB (CD&V) |
| Population (2018-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 32,318 |
| Postal codes | 3740, 3742, 3746 |
| NIS code | 73006 |
| Area codes | 089 |
| Website | www.bilzen.be |
Bilzen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbɪlzə(n)] ⓘ) is a former municipality and city[2] located in the Belgian province of Limburg.
In 2021, Bilzen had a total population of 32,536.[3] The total area is 75.90 km2 which gives a population density of 426 inhabitants per km2.
Bilzen consists of the city of Bilzen and the following villages: Beverst, Eigenbilzen, Grote-Spouwen, Hees, Hoelbeek, Kleine-Spouwen, Martenslinde, Mopertingen, Munsterbilzen, Rijkhoven, Rosmeer, and Waltwilder. In 1977 they all became part of the municipality Bilzen because of the fusion of municipalities.
Cities in Bilzen's neighbourhood are all within a distance of some 10 to 15 kilometers: to its north is Genk, to its east Maastricht (Netherlands), to its south Tongeren, and to its north-west Diepenbeek.
From 1965 to 1981 Bilzen hosted Jazz Bilzen, an annual multi-day open air jazz and rock festival. In its time Jazz Bilzen was the most important Belgian festival. Artists that performed, among many others, included: Humble Pie, The Moody Blues, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Humble Pie, The Kinks, The Troggs, Procol Harum, Golden Earring, Rod Stewart, Status Quo, Lou Reed, Aerosmith, AC/DC, The Cure, Toots Thielemans, Keith Jarrett and John McLaughlin. From the 1980s onwards, the festival was superseded by Torhout-Werchter, which has now become Rock Werchter.
History
For over 300 years, Bilzen was part of the County of Loon (French: comté de Looz).
Places of interest
- Alden Biesen Castle in the village of Rijkhoven.
- Munsterbilzen Abbey
Born in Bilzen
- Bert Appermont (born 1973), composer, conductor
- Elke Clijsters (born 1985), tennis player and younger sister of Kim Clijsters.
- Kim Clijsters (born 1983), tennis player.
- Valérie Courtois (born 1990), volleyball player
- Lisa del Bo (born 1961), singer
- Camille Huysmans (1871–1968), politician, Prime Minister (August 1946 – 1947); mayor of Antwerp (1933–1946).
- Jelle Vossen (born 1989), football player
- Thibaut Courtois (born 1992) football player
Gallery
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Bilzen, church: parochiekerk Sint-Mauritius
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Bilzen, townhall
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Beverst, Schoonbeek castle
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Mopertingen, church: parochiekerk Sint-Catharina
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Munsterbilzen, church: parochiekerk Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ten-Hemelopneming
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Rijkhoven, Alden Biesen commandry
References
- ^ "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ "Wet tot toekenning van de titel van stad aan de gemeenten Beringen, Bilzen, Blankenberge, Borgloon, Ciney, Couvin, Damme, Geel, Genepiën, Gistel, Halen, Hamont-Achel, Hannuit, Harelbeke, Herk-de-Stad, Lo-Reninge, Mesen, Oudenburg, Peer, Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, Vilvoorde en Walcourt". www.ejustice.just.fgov.be (in Dutch). Belgian Official Gazette. 19 July 1985. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ "Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 73006". Statistics Belgium. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
Including Oosterwijk
External links
- Official website (in Dutch)
- Community Bilzen on Leesmee (in Dutch)