Thuin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thuin
Twin (Walloon)
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The old city and the belfry
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 Thuin
Location in Belgium
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| Country | Belgium | ||
| Community | French Community | ||
| Region | Wallonia | ||
| Province | Hainaut | ||
| Arrondissement | Thuin | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 76.17 km2 (29.41 sq mi) | ||
| Population
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| • Total | Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1,575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | ||
| Postal codes |
6530-6534, 6536
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| Area codes | 071 | ||
| Website | www.thuin.be | ||
Thuin is a lovely city and municipality in Wallonia, a region in Belgium. It's located in the province of Hainaut.
The municipality includes several smaller areas called districts. These are Biercée, Biesme-sous-Thuin, Donstiennes, Gozée, Leers-et-Fosteau, Ragnies, Thuillies, and Thuin itself. Thuin also has two small villages called Hourpes and Maladrie.
Thuin is also home to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. This is a big international group that deals with dog breeds and dog shows.
Contents
History of Thuin
Early Beginnings
People lived in the Thuin area a very long time ago. Around the 2nd and 3rd centuries, during Gallo-Roman times, it was used as a burial ground. The first known name for the settlement was Thudinium Castellum. This name referred to an old Roman fort.
In the 9th century, Thuin was owned by Lobbes Abbey. Along with the abbey, it became part of the Bishopric of Liège in 888. A bishopric was an area ruled by a bishop. Another nearby place, Aulne Abbey, also became part of this bishopric.
Thuin's Defenses and Battles
About a hundred years later, a leader named Prince-Bishop Notger ordered a strong defensive wall to be built around Thuin. This made Thuin one of the 23 main cities of the bishopric. It was the westernmost city, meaning it was on the edge of their territory.
Over the next few centuries, many battles happened in this border area. Thuin was often caught between different groups, like the County of Hainaut and the Bishopric of Liège. Even with stronger walls built in the 12th and 15th centuries, Thuin was attacked many times.
In 1654, the Spanish army tried to capture Thuin but failed. People believed that Saint Roch helped protect the city. To this day, a special procession is held every year to remember Saint Roch. Many buildings from the 17th century, including the famous belfry, can still be seen in the upper part of the city.
In 1675, the troops of Louis XIV of France took control of Thuin. They stayed until 1678. Like its neighbor Charleroi, Thuin changed hands between Spain and Austria over time.
After the French Revolution
On May 10, 1794, during the French Revolutionary Wars, French soldiers pushed out the Austrians. Thuin then became part of France. Sadly, the old Aulne Abbey was burned down during this time.
Later, in 1829, just before the Belgian Revolution, William II of the Netherlands visited Thuin. However, his visit did not stop Belgium from becoming independent. The last major fighting around Thuin happened on August 23, 1914. This was at the start of World War I, when the French army faced the German army.
Places to Visit in Thuin
Thuin has many interesting places to see and explore!
- The Belfry of Thuin is a tall bell tower built in the 17th century. It is so important that UNESCO has named it a World Heritage Site. You can climb to the top for amazing views of the Thuin area.
- Thuin is home to the ASVi museum. This museum teaches you about the history of the Belgian Vicinal tramway system. It even has a museum tram that you can ride through the town's streets!
- The "hanging gardens" are special gardens built on the side of the Thuin hill. You can walk through them and learn about the plants and history from signs along the path.
- You can visit the old ruins of the 7th-century Aulne Abbey. It's a peaceful place with a lot of history.
- The nearby village of Ragnies is considered one of the most beautiful villages of Wallonia. It was even mentioned in old writings from Lobbes Abbey.
- The Château du Fosteau is a castle from the 14th and 15th centuries. It has beautiful French gardens and a calm pond. Inside the castle, you can see old furniture and a small museum about pharmacies.
Festivities and Celebrations
Thuin has a special yearly celebration that is very important to its people.
- Every third Sunday in May, the town celebrates Saint Roch. This event remembers how Saint Roch supposedly helped Thuin fight off the Spanish army in 1654. The celebration is a mix of a military march and a religious procession. It was stopped for a while but brought back in 1866. This was after Saint Roch was believed to have helped the city again, this time during a cholera sickness. The tradition continues today, only paused during the two world wars and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Famous People from Thuin
- Roger Foulon, a well-known writer from the 20th century, was born in Thuin.
Twin Cities
Thuin has special friendships with cities in other countries. These are called "twin cities."
See also
In Spanish: Thuin para niños
