Wikipedia / Bilzen
Wikipedia / Bilzen
Bilzen () is a former municipality and city located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On 1 January 2025, the municipality merged with Hoeselt to form the new municipality Bilzen-Hoeselt.
In 2021, Bilzen had a total population of 32,536. The total area is 75.90km2 which gives a population density of 426 inhabitants per km2.
Bilzen consists of the city of Bilzen and the following villages: Beverst, Eigenbilzen, , , , , , , , Rijkhoven, , and . 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 From the 1980s onwards, the festival was superseded by Torhout-Werchter, which has now become Rock Werchter.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 ().
Places of interest
Alden Biesen Castle in the village of Rijkhoven.
==Born in Bilzen==
(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
References
External links