Beringen, Belgium facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Beringen
Municipality
St. Peter in Chains Church on Beringen Market Square
Flag Coat of arms
Beringen Location in Belgium
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community
Region	Flemish Region
Province	Limburg
Arrondissement	Hasselt
Area
• Total	78.30 km2 (30.23 sq mi)
Population  (2018-01-01)Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
• Total	Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1,575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Postal codes	3580, 3581, 3582, 3583
Area codes	011
Website	www.beringen.be

Beringen is a lively city and municipality in the Limburg province of Belgium. It's a place with a rich history and a bright future. The Beringen area includes the main town of Beringen, plus the smaller towns of Beverlo, Koersel, and Paal.

Discover Beringen's Past

Early Beginnings of Beringen

People have lived in Beringen since Celtic times. In 1995, archaeologists found gold coins and other old items. These items are from around 90 BC. They are the oldest gold objects from the late Iron-Age found so far north in Europe.

Other discoveries, like Roman coins, show that people settled here very early. The name 'Beringen' was first written down in 1120. It comes from a Germanic word meaning 'with the people of Bero'.

Beringen in the Middle Ages

For most of the medieval period, Beringen was part of the County of Loon. In 1239, Beringen was given its city charter. This meant it had special rights and protections. The city was protected by strong moats and walls with gates.

In 1366, the County of Loon became part of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. Beringen became one of its 23 important cities. It stayed part of this region until 1795.

Beringen's Mining History

Beringen coal mine

In 1901, André Dumont found coal in the Campine region. This led to many coal mines opening. The first coal production in Koersel started in 1919.

Coal mining was very important after World War II. It lasted until the late 1950s. After that, other energy sources became cheaper. The last coal mine in Beringen closed on October 28, 1989. You can still see the big piles of mining waste and old mining buildings around the city today.

Explore Beringen's Attractions

• The Beringen Mine Museum and its spoil tip (a hill made of mining waste) are major attractions. They show the industrial history of the area. It was once an important stop on the European Route of Industrial Heritage.
• The St. Peter in Chains Church has a beautiful spire and a rich Baroque style inside.
• Beringen is also a great place for biking. It has many good biking trails, especially in the Campine area.

Fun Events in Beringen

• Yearly Kermesses (fun fairs) happen in Beringen Paal and Koersel.
• In early August, Paal hosts a music event called "Paal op Stelten."
• The "Koersel Terrast" festival takes place in late spring. It's a two-day event with music, dance, and fireworks for everyone.
• Beringen also hosts a round of the Ethias Cross cyclocross race series. This race happens on part of the old coal mine site.
• The first round of the 2024 Exact Cross, Cyclocross Trophy was held here on October 8. Fem Van Empel won first place.

Notable People from Beringen

• Lodewijk Heyligen (1304–1361) was a Benedictine monk and music expert.
• Henricus Calenus (1583–1653) was a clergyman.
• Jo Vandeurzen (born 1958) is a politician.
• Ingrid Berghmans (born 1961) is a famous judoka (judo athlete).
• Mauro Pawlowski (born 1971) is a musician.

See also

In Spanish: Beringen (Bélgica) para niños