Diest

Diest
Municipality
Diest City Hall

Flag
Coat of arms
Diest
Location in Belgium
Diest in the Province of Flemish Brabant
Coordinates: 50°59′N 05°03′E / 50.983°N 5.050°E / 50.983; 5.050Coordinates: 50°59′N 05°03′E / 50.983°N 5.050°E / 50.983; 5.050
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
Region Flemish Region
Province Flemish Brabant
Arrondissement Leuven
Government
 • Mayor Jan Laurys (DDS)
 • Governing party/ies DDS, VLD
Area
 • Total 58.20 km2 (22.47 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2017)[1]
 • Total 23,612
 • Density 410/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Postal codes 3290, 3293, 3294
Area codes 013 - 011
Website www.diest.be

Diest (Dutch pronunciation: [dist]) is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. Situated in the northeast of the Hageland region, Diest neighbours the provinces of Antwerp to its North, and Limburg to the East and is situated around 60 km from Brussels. The municipality comprises the city of Diest proper and the towns of Deurne, Kaggevinne, Molenstede, Schaffen and Webbekom. As of January 1, 2006, Diest had a total population of 22,845. The total area is 58.20 km² which gives a population density of 393 inhabitants per km².

History

Between 1499 and 1795 the town was controlled by the House of Nassau (as were Breda in the Netherlands, Dillenburg in Germany and Orange in France) which was also the family of the Princes of Orange who at the end of the Napoleonic Wars became in 1815 the kings and queens of the Netherlands after the termination of the Dutch republic at the hands of revolutionary forces in 1795. The most famous representative of the House of Orange was William I of Orange-Nassau. Also known as William the Silent (1533-1584), who led the revolt of the United Provinces against Spain. His son Philip William - who unlike his father remained a pious Catholic throughout his life - is buried at Diest, and in his will Philip William commanded that the city's parish church of Saint Sulpice should celebrate a yearly Requiem Mass for his soul.

Diest is surrounded by high ramparts, which are partially preserved.

Attractions

Grote Markt: The market place of Diest is surrounded by picturesque houses from the 16th to 18th Century. The town hall is also located here, in the basement of the city museum. Exhibits in the museum include the armour of Philip of Orange and a portrait of René of Orange-Nassau and his wife Anna of Lorraine.

St. Sulpitiuskerk: The church of St. Sulpitius is also located on the Grote Markt. It was built in 1417-1534 from brown sandstone, typical of this period. The grave of Philip of Orange can be found here. After the death of his father William I of Orange-Nassau, he became Lord of the city. In the turret on the church a famous carillon made by Pieter Hemony in 1671.

Town Centre: The house "Hof van Nassau" in the centre is worth a visit, along with Gothic church of Our Lady (built 1253-1288) which has an award-winning pulpit. In the Sint Jan Berchmansstraat you can visit the "Gulden Maan" , the house where St. John Berchmans was born.

Twin towns – sister cities

Diest is twinned with:

Notable people from Diest

Images

References

  1. ↑ Population per municipality as of 1 January 2017 (XLS; 397 KB)
  • Wikisource "Diest". Encyclopædia Britannica. 8 (11th ed.). 1911.
  • Official website - Only available in Dutch
  • Bookwork about Diest - Only available in Dutch
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