Eigenbilzen

Eigenbilzen is a village and former municipality in the Bilzen municipality of the Limburg province in the Flemish Community of Belgium. Eigenbilzen was an independent municipality until 1977 when it merged into Bilzen.[2]

Eigenbilzen
Village and former municipality
Saint-Ursula Church
Saint-Ursula Church
Eigenbilzen is located in Belgium
Eigenbilzen
Eigenbilzen
Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 50.875556°N 5.5750°E / 50.875556; 5.5750
Country Belgium
CommunityFlemish Community
ProvinceLimburg
MunicipalityBilzen
Area
[1]
 • Total8.23 km2 (3.18 sq mi)
Population
 (2013)[1]
 • Total2,317
 • Density280/km2 (730/sq mi)
Time zoneCET

History

The village was first mentioned in 1096 as Eigenbilesen.[2] Prehistoric and Roman remains have been discovered in the area. In 1871 a tumulus was discovered at the Kannesberg which dated from 400 B.C. Furthermore three Roman villas, and a Roman cemetery were discovered. The Roman road connecting Tongeren to Maastricht used to pass through the village.[3]

Zangerheide Castle was built in 1423. In 1680, the family of de Heusch de Zangerye became manor of the village, and resided in the castle. The castle was torn down in the early 19th century.[4]

In 1864, the Hasselt-Maastricht railway was opened with a station for Eigenbilzen.[3] The railway line was closed for passengers in 1954, and goods in 1992.[5] In 1977, the municipality merged into Bilzen.[2]

Zangerheimolen

Near the village is the Zangerheimolen, a former overshot water mill. The original mill dated from before 1390. The mill was in use as a gristmill and sawing mill. The current building dates from 1865, and was transformed into a residential house in 1925.[6]

Nature

Eigenbilzen is located on the edge of the Campine region. About half the area used to be covered in heath, but in the early 19th century much of the heath turned into a forest.[3] De Hoefaert is a nature reserve north of the Albert Canal and an important habit for songbirds and birds of prey.[7]

Notable people

References
  1. "Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 73006F". Statistics Belgium. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  2. "Inleiding over Eigenbilzen". Eigenbilzen.nu (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  3. "Eigenbilzen". Inventaris Onroerend Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  4. "Kasteel Zangerhei" (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  5. "Sneltram zinloos in Hasselt". Het Belang van Limburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  6. "Zangerheimolen". Molen Echos (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  7. "Bilzen-Lanaken: Stevoorden-Hoefaert". Orchis Natuurvereniging (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  8. "Sportmensen". Eigenbilzen.nu (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  9. "Online-rouwregister voor Gerty Christoffels". ATV.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  10. "Guy Swennen". sp.a (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 October 2020.
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