Diest

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the surname, see van Diest.
Not to be confused with deist.
Diest
Municipality
Diest City Hall
Diest City Hall
Flag of Diest
Flag
Coat of arms of Diest
Coat of arms
Diest is located in Belgium
Diest
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
CountryBelgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceFlemish Brabant
ArrondissementLeuven
Government
 • MayorChristophe De Graef ()
 • Governing party/ies,
Area
 • Total58.20 km2 (22.47 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
 • Total23,824
 • Density410/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Postal codes
3290, 3293, 3294
Area codes013 - 011
Websitewww.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 , , , and . 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 in Diest. 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[]

The Grote Markt (Grand Square) is the central square of Diest and is surrounded by picturesque houses from the 16th to 18th Century. The city hall, which was designed in the 18th century by Willem Ignatius Kerricx, is also located here. In its basement is located he 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.

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 the Gothic church of Our Lady (built 1253-1288) which has an impressive pulpit and high altar. In the Sint Jan Berchmansstraat is the "Gulden Maan" , the house where St. John Berchmans was born.

Twin towns – sister cities[]

Diest is twinned with:

Notable people from Diest[]

Images[]

  • Saint Sulpitius church

  • Entrance to the beguinage

  • Great market

  • "Monumental" houses

References[]

  1. ^ "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.

External links[]

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