| Helden | |
| Native Name: | Helje |
| Native Name Lang: | li |
| Settlement Type: | Village |
| Pushpin Map: | Netherlands#Netherlands Limburg |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Pushpin Mapsize: | 250 |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in the Netherlands##Location in the province of Limburg in the Netherlands |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Netherlands |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Limburg |
| Subdivision Type2: | Municipality |
| Subdivision Name2: | Peel en Maas |
| Elevation Footnotes: | [1] |
| Elevation M: | 33 |
| Area Total Km2: | 6.90 |
| Population Footnotes: | [2] |
| Population Total: | 6265 |
| Population As Of: | 2021 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone: | CET |
| Utc Offset: | +1 |
| Timezone Dst: | CEST |
| Utc Offset Dst: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | 5980-5981, 5984-5988 |
| Area Code Type: | Dialing code |
| Area Code: | 077 |
| Coordinates: | 51.32°N 5.9997°W |
Helden (in Dutch; Flemish pronounced as /ˈɦɛldə(n)/; Limburgan; Limburger; Limburgish: Helje) is a village located in the province of Limburg in southeastern Netherlands. The village dates back to the tenth century at least, and a local variation of Limburgish is still spoken by some of the population. Helden and twin city Panningen previously belonged to the Helden municipality, but in 2010 they joined other municipalities to form the new municipality of Peel en Maas.[3]
The village was first mentioned in 1144 as "apud Helden", and means "hill". Until 1279, it was part of the .
In 1674, it was sold to Gelderland as an independent heerlijkheid, which before 1800 was the lowest administrative and judicial unit in rural areas in these parts.[4]
After the occupation by Gelderland, Helden was sold to Prussia. Under Prussia, Helden developed a small industry.
Only after the Napoleonic wars of 1814 did Helden belong to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. But not for long, as Belgium's Independence changed Helden with a large part of Limburg going to the state of Belgium.
The Catholic St Lambertus Church is a three-aisled basilica-like church. The nave and choir date from the 15th century. The church was restored after a fire in 1885. In 1944, the tower which probably dated from the 14th century was blown up. The church was restored from 1952 to 1953, and a more modest tower was added.[5]
Helden was home to 341 people in 1840. It was an independent municipality, however the town hall was located in Panningen. In 2010, it was merged into Peel en Maas.[6]