Eigenbilzen Explained

Official Name:Eigenbilzen
Settlement Type:Village and former municipality
Pushpin Map:Belgium
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Belgium
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Belgium
Subdivision Type1:Community
Subdivision Name1:Flemish Community
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Name2:Limburg
Subdivision Type3:Municipality
Subdivision Name3:Bilzen
Population As Of:2013
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:2,317
Population Density Km2:auto
Area Total Km2:8.23
Timezone:CET
Coordinates:50.8756°N 5.575°W

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]

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]

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]

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

External links