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Tongeren

February 17, 2024

Tongeren (Dutch: [ˈtɔŋərə(n)] ⓘ; French: Tongres [tɔ̃ɡʁ]; German: Tongern [ˈtɔŋɐn]; Limburgish: Tóngere [ˈtʊŋəʀə])[tone?] is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg, in the southeastern corner of the 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.

Tongeren
Tongres (French)
Tongern (German)
City and municipality
View of the Grote Markt
Flag
Coat of arms
Location of Tongeren
Tongeren
Location in Belgium
Location of Tongeren in Limburg
Coordinates: 50°47′N 05°28′E / 50.783°N 5.467°E / 50.783; 5.467
Country Belgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceLimburg
ArrondissementTongeren
Government
 • MayorPatrick Dewael (Open VLD)
 • Governing party/iesTongeren.nu (a local alliance of Open VLD and CD&V) and 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

History edit

Atuatuca Tungrorum edit

The Romans referred to Tongeren as Aduatuca Tungrorum or Atuatuca Tongrorum,[2] and it was the capital of the large Roman province of Civitas Tungrorum, an area which covered modern Belgian Limburg, and at least parts of all the areas around it. Before the Roman conquests, this area was inhabited by the group of Belgic tribes known as the Germani cisrhenani. (Despite being known as the Germani, whether they spoke a 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 Aduatuca, and this has led to a widely accepted proposal that this can be equated to Tongeren. There are counter arguments that the word "Aduatuca" was probably a general word for a fort in this region, meaning that there might have been more places with the same name, and that Tongeren shows no signs of pre-Roman occupation, nor the hilly terrain described by Caesar. There was also a distinct tribe in the area known as the Aduatuci.[3] On the other hand, it has the same name and function as a local capital, and is in generally the right area. If it is not Tongeren itself, the Aduatuca of the Eburones might be the ancient fortification of Caestert in nearby Riemst.

During Julius Caesar’s campaigns in this part of Gaul in the first century BC, the Belgae revolted against the campaign of Caesar, led by the Eburones. They destroyed a legion that had demanded the right to winter among them in 54 BC. Caesar reported that he sold the Aduatuci into slavery, and annihilated the name of the Eburones, many of whom however he reported having fled successfully, including Ambiorix the leader of the revolt. Instead of risking Roman lives to pursue them he invited tribes from over the Rhine, such as the 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 Tungri, not mentioned by Caesar, came to dominate this area in the Roman era, and are the reason for the name of the modern name Tongeren. Tacitus says that Tungri was a new name for the original tribes who had previously been called the Germani. But many modern writers believe that the Gallo-Roman population of the area contained a significant amount of more recent Germanic immigrants from across the Rhine. Located on the important road linking Cologne to Bavay via the relay of Liberchies, and surrounded by the fertile lands of the Hesbaye region, Roman Tongeren quickly became one of the largest Gallo-Roman administrative and military towns in the first century. It suffered from a destructive fire during the Batavian siege in 70 AD, which was part of the Batavian revolt. In the second century, it erected a defensive wall, portions of which can still be seen today. Typical Roman buildings were built in town, while villas and mound graves (tumuli) dotted the surrounding area.

In 358 the future emperor Julian met, in Tongeren, a delegation of Salian Franks who had recently settled in 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 edit

 
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 Saint Servatius, 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 Merovingian period between the fifth and the eighth 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 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 edit

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 edit

  • The Béguinage, founded in 1257, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.[8] Its enclosure wall was destroyed in the 19th century: it separated the beguinage from the rest of the city and thus guaranteed peace and quiet for the small religion-inspired community. In the 17th century, the beguinage counted some 300 beguines; it was also able to survive the 1677 fire that destroyed most of the city.
  • The Basilica of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Basiliek), built in Gothic style in the 13th century, where recent excavations have produced some of the richest archaeological finds in Flanders. Archaeological excavations have proven the presence of an edifice here starting from the 4th century, while a Carolingian prayer house existed here in the 9th century. The building of the choir of the present basilica began in 1240. Nave, transepts and side chapels were added between the 13th and 15th century. The original Romanesque tower was replaced by the present, 64-metre-tall (210-foot) Gothic tower from 1442 until 1541. The basilica's interior is home to the statue of Our Lady of Tongeren, erected in 1475. The treasury is housed in the former hall of the Chapter and comprises one of the richest collections of religious art in Belgium. The bell tower was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Belfries of Belgium and France site in 1999.[9]
  • Church of St. Catherine, built in Gothic style in 1294, but modified later in different styles. Works of art include the 1711 pulpit by Robrecht Verburgh, the main altarpiece by Gaspar de Crayer (17th century) and a sculpture of the Suffering Christ, donated by the beguine Anna de Floz.
  • The Gallo-Roman Museum, which houses Celtic gold, Roman glassware, Merovingian filigree work, and a Roman dodecahedron, an unusual Gallo-Roman object found during excavations
  • The original Roman wall, dating from the second century, still visible for more than 1,500 metres (4,900 feet).
  • Some of the medieval defensive towers, also still visible today.
  • Statue of Ambiorix, erected in 1866.
  • Several Tumuli are found around the city.
  • The Pliniuspark features the Plinius spring, a natural spring described by Pliny the Elder in 77-79 a.d.
  • At the location of a former Roman temple in the Keverstraat, a modern representation of that temple can be found. Because no drawings, apart from the floor plans, of the original temple exist, everything has been rebuilt up to 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) high.
  • Partly 3 metres (9.8 ft) below the Basilica of Our Lady and partly inside the Basilica, the Teseum-museum shows the archaeological findings at the location of the Basilica, as well as exhibitions about the history of the church.
  • Tongeren houses a youth detention center.
  •  
    Tongeren City Hall
  •  
    The Basilica of Our Lady
  •  
    Statue of Our Lady Cause of our Joy
  •  
    Statue of Ambiorix on the Grote Markt
  •  
    Modern art in Tongeren: Púmpkëskal ("Pump-chat")
  •  
    The Dodecahedron

Events edit

  • 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, the largest and one of the most impressive in Belgium, took place for the seventeenth time in 2009. The eighteenth edition took place in July 2016.
  • A well-attended antiques fair takes place every Sunday. It is the largest of its kind in the Benelux.

Sports edit

Famous inhabitants edit

Ancient times

Modern times

References edit

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. ^ Vanderhoeven, Alain; Vanderhoeven, Michel (2004), "Confrontation in Archaeology: Aspects of Roman Military in Tongeren", in Vermeulen, Frank; Sas, Kathy; Dhaeze, Wouter (eds.), Archaeology in Confrontation: Aspects of Roman Military Presence in the Northwest (Studies in Honour of Prof. Em. Hugo Thoen), Ghent University, p. 143, ISBN 9789038205786
  4. ^ Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gestae, Book XVII.8.3-4
  5. ^ Zosimus Nova Historia Book III
  6. ^ Jona Lendering. "Servatius of Tongeren". Livius.org. Retrieved 2014-05-20.
  7. ^ "Tongeren". Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  8. ^ "Flemish Béguinages". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  9. ^ "Belfries of Belgium and France". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 5 November 2021.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tongeren.
 
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Tongeren.
  • Official website - Only available in Dutch
  • Official tourism website
  • Roman Tongeren
  • Gallo-Roman museum
  • Tongeren Travel Guide - A comprehensive English language guide to Tongeren; includes history, sightseeing, brewing and beer culture.

February 17, 2024
tongeren, dutch, ˈtɔŋərə, french, tongres, ɡʁ, german, tongern, ˈtɔŋɐn, limburgish, tóngere, ˈtʊŋəʀə, tone, city, municipality, located, belgian, province, limburg, southeastern, corner, flemish, region, belgium, oldest, town, belgium, only, roman, administrat. Tongeren Dutch ˈtɔŋere n French Tongres tɔ ɡʁ German Tongern ˈtɔŋɐn Limburgish Tongere ˈtʊŋeʀe tone is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg in the southeastern corner of the 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 Tongeren Tongres French Tongern German City and municipalityView of the Grote MarktFlagCoat of armsLocation of TongerenTongerenLocation in Belgium Location of Tongeren in LimburgCoordinates 50 47 N 05 28 E 50 783 N 5 467 E 50 783 5 467Country BelgiumCommunityFlemish CommunityRegionFlemish RegionProvinceLimburgArrondissementTongerenGovernment MayorPatrick Dewael Open VLD Governing party iesTongeren nu a local alliance of Open VLD and CD amp V and SP aArea Total87 81 km2 33 90 sq mi Population 2020 01 01 1 Total31 142 Density350 km2 920 sq mi Postal codes3700NIS code73083Area codes012Websitewww tongeren be Contents 1 History 1 1 Atuatuca Tungrorum 1 2 Middle Ages 1 3 From seventeenth century until contemporary age 2 Main sights 3 Events 4 Sports 5 Famous inhabitants 6 References 7 External linksHistory editAtuatuca Tungrorum edit The Romans referred to Tongeren as Aduatuca Tungrorum or Atuatuca Tongrorum 2 and it was the capital of the large Roman province of Civitas Tungrorum an area which covered modern Belgian Limburg and at least parts of all the areas around it Before the Roman conquests this area was inhabited by the group of Belgic tribes known as the Germani cisrhenani Despite being known as the Germani whether they spoke a 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 nbsp Part of the Roman city wallCaesar referred to the fort of the Eburones as Aduatuca and this has led to a widely accepted proposal that this can be equated to Tongeren There are counter arguments that the word Aduatuca was probably a general word for a fort in this region meaning that there might have been more places with the same name and that Tongeren shows no signs of pre Roman occupation nor the hilly terrain described by Caesar There was also a distinct tribe in the area known as the Aduatuci 3 On the other hand it has the same name and function as a local capital and is in generally the right area If it is not Tongeren itself the Aduatuca of the Eburones might be the ancient fortification of Caestert in nearby Riemst During Julius Caesar s campaigns in this part of Gaul in the first century BC the Belgae revolted against the campaign of Caesar led by the Eburones They destroyed a legion that had demanded the right to winter among them in 54 BC Caesar reported that he sold the Aduatuci into slavery and annihilated the name of the Eburones many of whom however he reported having fled successfully including Ambiorix the leader of the revolt Instead of risking Roman lives to pursue them he invited tribes from over the Rhine such as the 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 Tungri not mentioned by Caesar came to dominate this area in the Roman era and are the reason for the name of the modern name Tongeren Tacitus says that Tungri was a new name for the original tribes who had previously been called the Germani But many modern writers believe that the Gallo Roman population of the area contained a significant amount of more recent Germanic immigrants from across the Rhine Located on the important road linking Cologne to Bavay via the relay of Liberchies and surrounded by the fertile lands of the Hesbaye region Roman Tongeren quickly became one of the largest Gallo Roman administrative and military towns in the first century It suffered from a destructive fire during the Batavian siege in 70 AD which was part of the Batavian revolt In the second century it erected a defensive wall portions of which can still be seen today Typical Roman buildings were built in town while villas and mound graves tumuli dotted the surrounding area In 358 the future emperor Julian met in Tongeren a delegation of Salian Franks who had recently settled in 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 edit nbsp The Moeren Gate a monumental gate in the medieval city wallAlready 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 Saint Servatius 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 Liege became the seat of what would become the Roman Catholic Diocese of Liege 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 Merovingian period between the fifth and the eighth 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 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 Liege nbsp Het Plein The Square with a Perron the historic symbol of being one of the Good Cities From seventeenth century until contemporary age edit 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 editThe Beguinage founded in 1257 has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 8 Its enclosure wall was destroyed in the 19th century it separated the beguinage from the rest of the city and thus guaranteed peace and quiet for the small religion inspired community In the 17th century the beguinage counted some 300 beguines it was also able to survive the 1677 fire that destroyed most of the city The Basilica of Our Lady Onze Lieve Vrouwe Basiliek built in Gothic style in the 13th century where recent excavations have produced some of the richest archaeological finds in Flanders Archaeological excavations have proven the presence of an edifice here starting from the 4th century while a Carolingian prayer house existed here in the 9th century The building of the choir of the present basilica began in 1240 Nave transepts and side chapels were added between the 13th and 15th century The original Romanesque tower was replaced by the present 64 metre tall 210 foot Gothic tower from 1442 until 1541 The basilica s interior is home to the statue of Our Lady of Tongeren erected in 1475 The treasury is housed in the former hall of the Chapter and comprises one of the richest collections of religious art in Belgium The bell tower was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Belfries of Belgium and France site in 1999 9 Church of St Catherine built in Gothic style in 1294 but modified later in different styles Works of art include the 1711 pulpit by Robrecht Verburgh the main altarpiece by Gaspar de Crayer 17th century and a sculpture of the Suffering Christ donated by the beguine Anna de Floz The Gallo Roman Museum which houses Celtic gold Roman glassware Merovingian filigree work and a Roman dodecahedron an unusual Gallo Roman object found during excavations The original Roman wall dating from the second century still visible for more than 1 500 metres 4 900 feet Some of the medieval defensive towers also still visible today Statue of Ambiorix erected in 1866 Several Tumuli are found around the city The Pliniuspark features the Plinius spring a natural spring described by Pliny the Elder in 77 79 a d At the location of a former Roman temple in the Keverstraat a modern representation of that temple can be found Because no drawings apart from the floor plans of the original temple exist everything has been rebuilt up to 1 metre 3 ft 3 in high Partly 3 metres 9 8 ft below the Basilica of Our Lady and partly inside the Basilica the Teseum museum shows the archaeological findings at the location of the Basilica as well as exhibitions about the history of the church Tongeren houses a youth detention center nbsp Tongeren City Hall nbsp The Basilica of Our Lady nbsp Statue of Our Lady Cause of our Joy nbsp Statue of Ambiorix on the Grote Markt nbsp Modern art in Tongeren Pumpkeskal Pump chat nbsp The DodecahedronEvents editThe 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 the largest and one of the most impressive in Belgium took place for the seventeenth time in 2009 The eighteenth edition took place in July 2016 A well attended antiques fair takes place every Sunday It is the largest of its kind in the Benelux Sports editWomen s volleyball club Datovoc Tongeren plays at the highest level of the Belgian league pyramid Tongeren s best known football club is K S K Tongeren Famous inhabitants editAncient times 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 Julius Caesar s Commentarii de Bello Gallico is the only source to mention 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 Modern times Honore 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 Wilfried Nelissen 1970 Road racing cyclist Jef Vliers 1932 1994 football player and coach Zoon van snooK songwriter musician b 1978 Freddy Loix rally driver b 1970 Jules Castro racing driver b 2004 References editNotes Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018 Statbel Retrieved 9 March 2019 Gysseling Maurits 1960 Toponymisch Woordenboek van Belgie Nederland Luxemburg Noord Frankrijk en West Duitsland Vanderhoeven Alain Vanderhoeven Michel 2004 Confrontation in Archaeology Aspects of Roman Military in Tongeren in Vermeulen Frank Sas Kathy Dhaeze Wouter eds Archaeology in Confrontation Aspects of Roman Military Presence in the Northwest Studies in Honour of Prof Em Hugo Thoen Ghent University p 143 ISBN 9789038205786 Ammianus Marcellinus Res Gestae Book XVII 8 3 4 Zosimus Nova Historia Book III Jona Lendering Servatius of Tongeren Livius org Retrieved 2014 05 20 Tongeren Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed in Dutch Retrieved 17 October 2020 Flemish Beguinages UNESCO World Heritage Centre United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization Retrieved 6 November 2021 Belfries of Belgium and France UNESCO World Heritage Centre United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization Retrieved 5 November 2021 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tongeren nbsp Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Tongeren Official website Only available in Dutch Official tourism website Roman Tongeren Gallo Roman museum Tongeren Travel Guide A comprehensive English language guide to Tongeren includes history sightseeing brewing and beer culture Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tongeren amp oldid 1194934687, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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