Tongeren

Tongeren
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Tongeren in Limburg
Sovereign state	Belgium
Region	Flemish Region
Community	Flemish Community
Province	Limburg
Arrondissement	Tongeren
Coordinates	50°47′0″N 05°28′0″E / 50.78333°N 5.46667°E / 50.78333; 5.46667Coordinates: 50°47′0″N 05°28′0″E / 50.78333°N 5.46667°E / 50.78333; 5.46667
Area	87.56 km²
Population – Males – Females - Density	29,687 (1 January 2006) 48.98% 51.02% 339 inhab./km²
Age distribution 0–19 years 20–64 years 65+ years	(01/01/2006) 19,90% 61,20% %
Unemployment rate	10.77% (1 January 2006)
Mean annual income	€12,759/pers. (2003)
Mayor	Patrick Dewael, acting mayor Carmen Willems (both VLD)
Governing parties	Patrick Dewael, acting mayor Carmen Willems (both VLD)
Postal codes	3700
Area codes	012
Website	www.tongeren.be

Tongeren (French: Tongres, German: Tongern) is a city and municipality located in the province of Limburg, Flemish region, Belgium. Tongeren is the oldest town in Belgium. Known as Atuatuca Tungrorum to the Romans, it was the administrative centre of the district Tungri under their rule.

History

Atuatuca Tungrorum

Ambiorix

Before the Roman conquests, this area was inhabited by the Eburones, a Belgic tribe. During Julius Caesar’s campaigns in this area in the 1st century BC, Ambiorix, a Eburonian chief, incited his people to rise up against Caesar and proceeded to kill an entire Roman legion near a place called Atuatuca (a legion under Julius Caesar). This victory was understandably short lived and the entire Eburones tribe decimated, while the Tungri, more friendly to the Romans, took their place. The Roman camp grew into a sizeable settlement known as Atuatuca Tungrorum. Located on the important road linking Cologne to Bavay via the relay of Liberchies, and surrounded by the fertile lands of the Hesbaye region, the settlement quickly became one of the largest Gallo-Roman administrative and military towns in the 1st century. Atuatuca Tungrorum suffered through a destructive fire during the Batavian siege in 70. In the 2nd century, it erected its first defensive wall, portions of which can still be seen today. Typical Roman buildings were built in town, while villas and graves (tumuli) dotted the surrounding area. Soon after the 4th-century Germanic invasions, the city became the center of a Christian diocese – one of the earliest in the Low Countries – under the influence of Saint Servatius, bishop of Tongeren, then bishop of Maastricht.

Middle Ages

Basilica

The Merovingian period between the 5th and the 8th century is not well documented. The building of a new church and the foundation of a chapter of canons took place in 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 13th 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 13th 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” (or principal cities) of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège.

17th century until now

In 1677, the city was nearly entirely burnt to the ground by Louis XIV’s troops, a catastrophe from which Tongeren never completely recovered. The rebirth of the city dates from after 1830. Today, Tongeren enjoys its great heritage from the past. It is also the judicial capital of the Limburg province.

Places of interest

The Dodecahedron

Púmpkëskal (Pump-chat, púmpkë=pump [diminutive], kal=chat)

• The Béguinage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 (photographs:[1], [2])
• The Belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999
• The Tongeren Basilica (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Basiliek), where recent excavations have produced some of the richest archaeological finds in Flanders (photographs:[3], [4])
• The Gallo-Roman museum, which houses Celtic gold, Roman glassware, Merovingian filigree work, and the dodecahedron, an unusual Gallo-Roman object found during excavations
• The original Roman wall, dating from the 2nd century, still visible on more than 1,500 meters.
• Some of the medieval defensive towers, also still visible today

Events

• The Kroningsfeesten (“Coronation Celebrations”) are organized every seven years in commemoration of the crowning of the miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Bishop Doutreloux in 1890. This religious procession, one of the largest and most impressive in Belgium, will take place for the seventeenth time in 2009.
• A well-attended antiques fair takes place every Sunday.

Famous inhabitants

• Ambiorix, prince of the Eburones and rebel leader against the Roman invaders; although his statue stands on the central square of Tongeren, it is unknown where he lived exactly and disputed as to whether he ever really existed, since Julius Caesar's own commentarii de bello gallico is the only source to ever include him (1st century BC)
• Saint Servatius, bishop of Tongeren, introduced Christianity in the Netherlands (4th century)
• Saint Helier, ascetic hermit and patron saint of Jersey (6th century)
• Radulph of Rivo, historian and liturgist (d. 1403)
• Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau, French politician (1749-1791)
• Valentinus Paquay, Roman Catholic beatified priest, also known as "het heilig Paterke van Hasselt" (the holy priest [diminutive] of Hasselt) (1828-1905)
• Philippe Boesmans, composer (b. 1936)
• Robert Cailliau, co-inventor of the World Wide Web, together with Tim Berners-Lee (b. 1947)
• Patrick Dewael, politician, former Minister President of Flanders, and mayor (b. 1955)

International Relations

Twin city

•  Poland: Kalisz

Partner city:

•  Italy: Rome

External links

• Official website - Only available in Dutch
• Roman Tongeren
• Gallo-Roman museum