Haelen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Haelen
Hale (Limburgish)
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Village
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Aldeghoor castle
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 Haelen
Location in Netherlands
Haelen
Location in Limburg, Netherlands
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| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | Limburg |
| Municipality | Leudal |
| Area | |
| • Total | 11.31 km2 (4.37 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 28 m (92 ft) |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 4,395 |
| • Density | 388.59/km2 (1,006.5/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code |
6080-6081
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| Dialing code | 0475 |
| Major roads | N273, N279 |
Haelen (Dutch: [ˈɦaːlə(n)]; Limburgish: Hale) is a charming village located in the southeastern part of the Netherlands. It's known for its interesting history and beautiful old buildings.
Contents
A Glimpse into Haelen's Past
Haelen has a long history! It was first mentioned way back in 1224. Its name means "bend of the highland," which probably describes the area where it grew. The village grew up along a stream called the Haelense Beek.
For a long time, Haelen was part of different important areas. First, it belonged to the County of Horne, which was like a small independent region. Later, it became part of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. This was a special area ruled by a prince who was also a bishop. In 1679, Haelen became an independent heerlijkheid, which means it had its own local lord and some self-rule.
Aldengoor Castle: A Historic Landmark
One of Haelen's most famous spots is Aldengoor Castle. It's even older than the village, first mentioned in 1212! Imagine, only one tower from the 1400s is still standing today. The other three were sadly destroyed during a battle in 1598.
Over the years, the castle grew bigger. In the 1600s and 1700s, two new parts were added. Later, in 1903, it was used as a monastery, a place where monks or nuns lived. In 1977, it became a museum, showing off its history. Since 1996, it's been a private home, and you can even stay there! A bed and breakfast opened in the castle in 2006.
St Lambertus Church
The Catholic St Lambertus Church is an important building in Haelen. The current church was built between 1953 and 1955. It replaced an older church that was destroyed during World War II in 1944. This church has three main sections, called aisles.
Haelen's Growth and Changes
In 1840, Haelen was a small place with only 374 people. For many years, Haelen was its own separate municipality, which is like a local government area. It even included other nearby villages such as Buggenum, Horn, and Nunhem.
However, things changed on January 1, 2007. Haelen became part of a larger municipality called Leudal. This means it joined with other villages to form a bigger local government area.
Images for kids
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St Lambertus Church
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House in Haelen
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Groot Buggenum
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Farm in Haelen
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