Alken (; ) is a
municipality
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality' ...
located in
Belgian province of
Limburg. The community lies just south of the provincial capital of Hasselt, in the
Hesbaye region. Alken has about 11,300 residents, which gives the village a larger population than the nearby small cities of
Borgloon and
Herk-de-Stad
Herk-de-Stad (; , ) is a municipality and city located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On 1 January 2018, Herk-de-Stad had a total population of 12,661. The total area is 42.83 km2 which gives a population density of 296 inhabitants per ...
.
History
Alken appeared for the first time in history in 1066 under the name Alleche. Since 1180, the official name of the municipality is Alken but 'Alleke' is still often used by locals.
Alken was an enclave of the
Bishopric of Liège surrounded by the county of Loon. Many Prince Bishops had a summer residence here.
Village centers
The municipality has no districts. But has 3 village centers or major neighborhoods. Alken-Centre,
Sint-Joris (St. George) and
Terkoest.
Alken-Centre is located in the east of the municipality, neighboring
Hasselt
Hasselt (, , ) is the capital and largest City status in Belgium, city of the Provinces of Belgium, province of Limburg (Belgium), Limburg in the Flemish Region of Belgium.
As of 1 August 2023, Hasselt had a total population of 80,846. The old ...
and
Wellen. The parish is dedicated to St. Aldegondis and it is the oldest parish in Alken. The city hall, the CPAS, most shops and institutions are located here.
Sint-Joris (St. George) is located south of Alken, neighboring Sint-Truiden and Nieuwerkerken. The parish is dedicated to St. George Patron Saint, known from the story of Saint George and the dragon.
Terkoest located in the northwest of the town, neighboring Hasselt and Nieuwerkerken. The name Terkoest comes from an old Dutch word for marshy areas.
A fourth neighborhood in Alken grew around the station, though this station area is not developed into a real village. The station was closed for a while and the local school closed.
Sights
Alken is best known for its brewery and the beer brewed there, but also for its many castles, churches, chapels and water mills. In recreational terms, one can indulge in the leisure park "De Alk" between large and the small Herk (river), one can walk in the Mombeek-valley and explore the well-equipped bicycle network.
Alken is located in the most productive fruit cultivation area of Belgium and the area is famous for its blossoming fruit trees filling the landscape.
Transport
The municipality is served by
Alken railway station
Alken is a railway station in the municipality of Alken, Limburg, Belgium. The station opened on 8 December 1847 and is located on line 21. The train services are operated by National Railway Company of Belgium
The National Railway Compa ...
.
Gallery
File:Alken aerial view.jpg, Aerial view of Alken
File:Gemeente Alken - Herk en bloesems.jpg, The Herk
File:Brouwerijcristalalken.jpg, Brewery Alken-Maes
Alken-Maes is a Belgium, Belgian brewery created out of the 1988 merger of two small breweries, Maes located at Waarloos, Kontich-Waarloos and Cristal-Alken located at Alken, Belgium, Alken. It was bought by Scottish & Newcastle in 2000, who wer ...
References
External links
Official site
{{Authority control
Municipalities of Limburg (Belgium)