Bilzen

Bilzen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbɪlzə(n)] ) is a city and a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg.

Bilzen
Alden Biesen Castle
Alden Biesen Castle
Flag of Bilzen
Coat of arms of Bilzen
Location of Bilzen
Bilzen is located in Belgium
Bilzen
Bilzen
Location in Belgium
Location of Bilzen in Limburg
Coordinates: 50°52′N 05°31′E
Country Belgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceLimburg
ArrondissementTongeren
Government
  MayorBruno Steegen (Open VLD, Beter Bilzen)
  Governing party/iesBeter Bilzen, TOB (CD&V)
Area
  Total75.98 km2 (29.34 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
  Total32,318
  Density430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Postal codes
3740, 3742, 3746
NIS code
73006
Area codes089
Websitewww.bilzen.be

In 2021, Bilzen had a total population of 32,536.[2] 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. It was in 1977 that 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, Genk; to its east, Maastricht (Netherlands); to its south Tongeren; and to its north-west, Diepenbeek.

From 1965 to 1981 Bilzen hosted Jazz Bilzen, a jazz and rock festival that lasted several days. In its time Jazz Bilzen was the most important Belgian festival. Artists that performed there were, among many others, 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 From the 1980s onwards the festival was superseded by Torhout-Werchter, that has now become Rock Werchter.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

Born in Bilzen

References

  1. "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. "Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 73006". Statistics Belgium. Retrieved 13 May 2022. Including Oosterwijk
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