Tongeren

Coordinates: 50°47′N 05°28′E / 50.783°N 5.467°E / 50.783; 5.467
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Tongeren
Tongres (French)
Tongern (German)
View of the Grote Markt
View of the Grote Markt
Flag of Tongeren
Coat of arms of Tongeren
Location of Tongeren
Map
Tongeren is located in Belgium
Tongeren
Tongeren
Location in Belgium
Location of Tongeren in Limburg
SP.a
Area
 • Total87.81 km2 (33.90 sq mi)
Population
 (2020-01-01)[1]
 • Total31,142
 • Density350/km2 (920/sq mi)
Postal codes
3700
NIS code
73083
Area codes012
Websitewww.tongeren.be

Tongeren (Dutch:

Flemish region of Belgium. Tongeren is the oldest town in Belgium, as the only Roman administrative capital within the country's borders. As a Roman city, it was inhabited by the Tungri
, and known as Atuatuca Tungrorum, it was the administrative centre of the Civitas Tungrorum district.

History

Atuatuca Tungrorum

The Romans referred to Tongeren as Aduatuca Tungrorum or Atuatuca Tongrorum,

Germanic language is debated, and the names of their tribes and their leaders were Celtic.) Specifically the Eburones
were the largest of these tribes and the one living around Tongeren.

Part of the Roman city wall

Caesar referred to the fort of the Eburones as

Caestert in nearby Riemst
.

During

Sigambri
to come and plunder. This back-fired when Eburones pointed out to the Sigambri that the Romans had all the booty at Aduatuca, and were the more attractive target.

The

tumuli
) dotted the surrounding area.

In 358 the future

Toxandria (the modern Campine region), to the north of Tongeren. They wanted peace but spoke "as if the ground they had seized were rightfully their own". Julian gave ambiguous replies and then after the meetings sent a surprise attack along the Maas or Meuse river, and "they met him with entreaties rather than with resistance, he received the submission of them and their children".[4] They became increasingly important after this time. Zosimus reports that Julian used them as part of his forces in fights against other Germanic tribes.[5]

Middle Ages

The Moeren Gate, a monumental gate in the medieval city wall

Already in the fourth century, just as the Salian Franks were settling to the north, the city became the center of a Christian diocese under the influence of

bishop of Tongeren, who died in 384 AD. In the meantime, the Franks to the north and east were pagan and so many areas had to be reconverted over the course of the following centuries, with several missionaries becoming martyrs. The seat of the Tungrian bishopric however eventually moved to nearby Maastricht, after Saint Servatius was buried near the Roman towns there. Much later, Liège became the seat of what would become the Roman Catholic Diocese of Liège, the church equivalent to the Civitas Tungrorum. This was the resting place of Saint Lambert of Maastricht, one of the last missionaries in the area, who died about 700 AD.[6]
Aduatuca Tungrorum may have been destroyed by the Huns in 451 AD. Tongeren therefore lost some importance during this period.

Waves of Germanic settlers and invaders changed the area significantly. The

Carolingian times, at the very place where the old bishops’ houses stood, and where the basilica still stands today. The construction of the current basilica started at the beginning of the thirteenth century in the prevalent Gothic style of that period. Other buildings were added to the religious core of the city, including new commercial areas, hospitals and artisans quarters. The thirteenth century also saw the building of the medieval defensive wall, several new churches and cloisters, and the beguinage. The city became one of the “bonnes villes” ("good cities") of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège
.

Het Plein ("The Square") with a "Perron", the historic symbol of being one of the "Good Cities".

From seventeenth century until contemporary age

In 1677, the city was burned almost entirely by Louis XIV’s troops, a catastrophe from which Tongeren never completely recovered. The rebirth of the city dates from after 1830.

In 1977 the neighbouring municipalities of Berg, Diets-Heur, Henis, 's-Herenelderen, Koninksem, Lauw, Mal, Neerrepen, Nerem, Overrepen, Piringen, Riksingen, Rutten, Sluizen, Vreren and Widooie merged into Tongeren.[7]

Tongeren is currently the judicial capital of the province of Belgian Limburg.

Main sights

  • Tongeren City Hall
    Tongeren City Hall
  • The Basilica of Our Lady
  • Statue of Our Lady Cause of our Joy
    Statue of Our Lady Cause of our Joy
  • Statue of Ambiorix on the Grote Markt
    Statue of Ambiorix on the Grote Markt
  • Modern art in Tongeren: Púmpkëskal ("Pump-chat")
    Modern art in Tongeren: Púmpkëskal ("Pump-chat")
  • The Dodecahedron

Events

Sports

Famous inhabitants

Ancient times

Modern times

References

Notes
  1. ^ "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. ^ Gysseling, Maurits (1960), Toponymisch Woordenboek van België, Nederland, Luxemburg, Noord-Frankrijk en West-Duitsland
  3. ^ Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gestae, Book XVII.8.3-4
  4. ^ Zosimus Nova Historia Book III
  5. ^ Jona Lendering. "Servatius of Tongeren". Livius.org. Retrieved 2014-05-20.
  6. ^ "Tongeren". Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Flemish Béguinages". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  8. ^ "Belfries of Belgium and France". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 5 November 2021.

External links