Wellen Explained

Wellen
Map:Wellen Limburg Belgium Map.svg
Map-Legend:Location of Wellen in Limburg
Arms:Wellen wapen.svg
Flag:Flag of Wellen.svg
Arrondissement:Tongeren
Nis:73098
Mayor:Els Robeyns (Vooruit)
Majority:Vooruit, CD&V
Postal-Codes:3830-3832
Telephone-Area:012, 011
Web:www.wellen.be
Coordinates:50.85°N 24°W

Wellen (in Dutch; Flemish pronounced as /'ʋɛlə(n)/; Limburgan; Limburger; Limburgish: Wille) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On 1 January 2018, Wellen had a total population of 7,402. The total area is 26.72 km2 with a population density of 266 inhabitants per km2.

The municipality consists of the following sub-municipalities: Wellen, Berlingen, Herten and Ulbeek. Other population centres and hamlets include: Bos, Beurs, Kukkelberg, Langenakker, Oetersloven, Overbroek, Russelt, and Vrolingen.

History

Archaeological findings suggest the place was inhabited already during the Frankish period (5th to 7th century). Debris from the river Herk on that spot made the soil fertile for farming. However, any mention of the name Wellene or Welnis doesn't occur until the second half of the 12th century.

The name Wellen derives from the Middle Dutch "wellene", meaning "source" or "pit" or, alternately, from Latin terra Villina, "agricultural holding". Wellen was long associated with the abbey of Munsterbilzen, founded around 670.