Meerssen (; li, Meersje ) is a town and a

municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality'' may also mean the ...

in southeastern

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

History

The

Treaty of Meerssen The Treaty of Mersen or Meerssen, concluded on 8 August 870, was a treaty to partition the realm of Lothair II, known as Lotharingia, by his uncles Louis the German of East Francia and Charles the Bald of West Francia, the two surviving sons of ...

was signed in Meerssen in 870. The Treaty of Meerssen was an agreement of the division of the

Carolingian Empire The Carolingian Empire (800–888) was a large Frankish-dominated empire in western and central Europe during the Early Middle Ages. It was ruled by the Carolingian dynasty, which had ruled as kings of the Franks since 751 and as kings of the L ...

by the surviving sons of Louis I, Charles II of the West Franks and

Louis the German Louis the German (c. 806/810 – 28 August 876), also known as Louis II of Germany and Louis II of East Francia, was the first king of East Francia, and ruled from 843 to 876 AD. Grandson of emperor Charlemagne and the third son of Louis the P ...

of East Franks. Around the middle of the 10th century the allodium Meerssen was the property of queen Gerberga, the daughter of king

Henry I Henry I may refer to: 876–1366 * Henry I the Fowler, King of Germany (876–936) * Henry I, Duke of Bavaria (died 955) * Henry I of Austria, Margrave of Austria (died 1018) * Henry I of France (1008–1060) * Henry I the Long, Margrave of the N ...

. She was the spouse of

Louis IV of France Louis IV (September 920 / September 921 – 10 September 954), called ''d'Outremer'' or ''Transmarinus'' (both meaning "from overseas"), reigned as King of West Francia from 936 to 954. A member of the Carolingian dynasty, he was the only son of ...

. In 968 she donated all her property to the abbey of

Saint Remigius Remigius (french: Remi or ; – January 13, 533), was the Bishop of Reims and "Apostle of the Franks". On 25 December 496, he baptised Clovis I, King of the Franks. The baptism, leading to about 3000 additional converts, was an important event ...

Reims Reims ( , , ; also spelled Rheims in English) is the most populous city in the French department of Marne, and the 12th most populous city in France. The city lies northeast of Paris on the Vesle river, a tributary of the Aisne. Founded b ...

Population centres

Transportation

Railway station: Meerssen

International relations

Twin towns - Sister cities

Meerssen is a founding member of the

Douzelage The Douzelage is a town twinning association with one town from each of the member states of the European Union. The name is a portmanteau of the French words "douze" for twelve and "jumelage" for twinning and stands for the twelve founder member ...

, a

town twinning A sister city or a twin town relationship is a form of legal or social agreement between two geographically and politically distinct localities for the purpose of promoting cultural and commercial ties. While there are early examples of inter ...

association of 24 towns across the

European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational union, supranational political union, political and economic union of Member state of the European Union, member states that are located primarily in Europe, Europe. The union has a total area of ...

. This active town twinning began in 1991 and there are regular events, such as a produce market from each of the other countries and festivals. Discussions regarding membership are also in hand with three further towns ( Agros in

Cyprus Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is ...

Škofja Loka Škofja Loka (; german: Bischoflack) is a town in Slovenia. It is the economic, cultural, educational, and administrative center of the Municipality of Škofja Loka in Upper Carniola. It has about 12,000 inhabitants. Geography Škofja Loka lies ...

Slovenia Slovenia ( ; sl, Slovenija ), officially the Republic of Slovenia (Slovene: , abbr.: ''RS''), is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the southeast, and ...

, and Tryavna in

Bulgaria Bulgaria (; bg, България, Bǎlgariya), officially the Republic of Bulgaria,, ) is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern flank of the Balkans, and is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedo ...

Notable people

* Charles Eyck (1897 in Meerssen - 1983) a Dutch visual artist *

Hubert Levigne Nicolaas Jozef Hubertus (Hubert or Huub) Levigne (30 September 1905 – 29 December 1989) was a Dutch graphic artist, glazier and professor. Life and work Hubert or Huub Levigne was a son of Nicolas Joseph Levigne and Elisabeth Ramakers. He grew ...

(1905 in Meerssen - 1989) a Dutch artist * Gerard Kockelmans (1925 in Meerssen - 1965) a Dutch composer, conductor and music teacher * Jef Lahaye (1932 in Bunde – 1990) a Dutch professional racing cyclist *

Maria van der Hoeven Maria Josephina Arnoldina van der Hoeven (born 13 September 1949) is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party and nonprofit director. Van der Hoeven attended a Lyceum in Maastricht from April 1966 until May 1969 ...

(born 1949 in Meerssen) a retired Dutch politician * Erik Meijer (born 1969 in Meerssen) a retired Dutch footballer with 462 club caps *

Kyara Stijns Kyara Stijns (born 9 October 1995) is a Dutch professional racing cyclist. She started cycling with club team 'WCL Bergklimmers' in the south of the province of Limburg. In 2013, she won the Dutch junior national championships road race. As a r ...

(born 1995 in Bunde) a Dutch professional racing cyclist

Gallery

File:Geulle-Westbroek 59 (1).JPG, Geulle-Westbroek File:Old farm near Meerssen (South Limburg, Netherlands 2008) (2476530208).jpg, Old farm near Meerssen File:Overzicht van een der vleugels van de herenhof - Bunde - 20406639 - RCE.jpg, Overzicht van een der vleugels van de herenhof - Bunde File:Ulestraten-De nar van Ulestraten (3).JPG, Ulestraten-De nar van Ulestraten File:Ulestraten-Groot Berghem 13.JPG, Ulestraten-Groot Berghem

References

;Notes

External links

*
Official website
{{Authority control Populated places in Limburg (Netherlands) Municipalities of Limburg (Netherlands) South Limburg (Netherlands)