Sint-Truiden

Sint-Truiden is a city and municipality in the province of Limburg, in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It has more than 41,500 people living there, making it one of the larger cities in Limburg.

The area around Sint-Truiden is part of a region known for growing fruit. This region, called Haspengouw or Hesbaye, is famous for its pears, apples, and sweet cherries.

The municipality of Sint-Truiden includes several smaller areas, such as Brustem, Engelmanshoven, Gelinden, Gorsem, Groot-Gelmen, Halmaal, Kerkom-bij-Sint-Truiden, Ordingen, Runkelen, Velm, Wilderen, and Zepperen.

History

Origins and Golden Age

Sint-Truiden grew around an abbey that was founded in the 7th century by St. Trudo, a Frankish nobleman. Stories say that when Trudo was young, he built a small church from rocks. When a woman knocked over his rocks in anger, she lost her sight, but Trudo helped her see again after she apologized. He was also said to find clean water and heal others.

After Trudo passed away, the abbey became a popular place for people to visit, bringing more people and wealth to the nearby town. The 11th century was a very successful time for the town, and many people lived there.

During this time, a leader named abbot Adelardus built the main church of the abbey and two other churches in the town: Our Lady and Sint-Gangulfus. He also helped build walls and gates to protect the town. The town’s economy was strong, especially in making and trading linen with places like England, Champagne, and Germany.

In the 13th century, the town became one of the important cities in the Bishopric of Liège. A market hall was built where the city hall stands today, and groups of workers called guilds helped organize the town’s social life.

15th century until now

In 1467, Charles the Bold took over the town, beginning a slow decline that lasted until the 19th century. The town’s defenses were removed in 1675, and many religious groups were disbanded under French rule near the end of the 18th century. After this, those empty buildings became schools and hospitals. The town was known for its farming, especially fruit, from the late 19th century onward.

During World War I, the town was important for Belgium’s defense. Sadly, on August 9, 1914, many people were harmed and homes destroyed when Germany invaded Belgium.

In World War II, the town’s airfield was used by German pilots. One famous German pilot, Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, flew missions from there. The airport is still used today.

Transport

Air

Sint-Truiden has an airport called Limburg Regional Airport – EBST. It used to be a base for the Belgian Air Force and has a long runway, but only part of it is used now. The airport has fuel for planes and a flight school, but there are no regular flights.

Rail

The town has a railway station called Sint-Truiden railway station.

Sports

Sint-Truiden is home to a professional football club called Sint-Truidense V.V.. This team competes in the top league of Belgian football, known as the Pro League.

Places of interest

Sint-Truiden has many interesting places to see. The town hall, known as Stadhuis, has a beautiful 17th-century belfry that UNESCO added to the World Heritage Site of Belfries of Belgium and France. Some parts of the town hall are from the 13th century.

Next to the town hall is the 15th-century Church of Our Lady, called Lievenvrouwenkerk. The béguinage of Sint-Agnes also has a 13th-century church and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Flemish Beguinages.

You can also see an 11th-century Romanesque tower and crypt from the old abbey of St Trudo. Other Romanesque buildings in town include Sint-Pieterskerk, Sint-Gangulfuskerk, and the Guvelingen chapel.

In the abbey square stands a statue of St Trudo. Together with a meridian line on the ground, it works as a sundial. The town also has examples of Baroque architecture, like the town hall's gable and the Minderbroederkerk. There is also a military school called KSOO Saffraanberg with the grounds of Rochemdaal Castle.

Notable inhabitants

Sint-Truiden has been home to many interesting people throughout history. Some well-known individuals from the city include Christina the Astonishing, a remarkable figure from the 12th century, and Denis the Carthusian, a theologian from the 15th century.

In more recent times, the city has been home to famous authors like Aldous Huxley, athletes such as football players Danny Boffin and Simon Mignolet, and gymnasts like Nina Derwael. Other notable residents include politician Barthélémy de Theux de Meylandt and astronaut Frank De Winne.

Sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Belgium

Sint-Truiden has friendly connections with these cities around the world:

• Berkane, Morocco
• Duras, France
• Weert, Netherlands
• Nueva Guinea, Nicaragua