Diest

Diest
Diest
	— Municipality of Belgium —
	Diest City Hall
; Flag	; Coat of arms
	Diest Location in Belgium
	Coordinates: 50°59′N 05°03′E / 50.983°N 5.050°E
Country	Belgium
Region	Flemish Region
Community	Flemish Community
Province	Flemish Brabant
Arrondissement	Leuven
	Government
• Mayor	Jan Laurys (DDS)
• Governing party/ies	DDS, VLD
	Area
• Total	58.20 km2 (22.47 sq mi)
	Population (1 January 2011)
• Total	23,150
• Density	400/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
	Demographics
• Foreigners	3.32% (7 January 2005)
Postal codes	3290, 3293, 3294
Area codes	013 - 011
Website	www.diest.be
	Map of Diest

For the surname, see van Diest. For the belief, see deism.

Diest is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. Situated in the northeast of the Hageland region, Diest neighbours the provinces of Antwerp to its North, and Limburg to the East and is situated around 60 km from Brussels. The municipality comprises the city of Diest proper and the towns of Deurne, Kaggevinne, Molenstede, Schaffen and Webbekom. As of January 1, 2006, Diest had a total population of 22,845. The total area is 58.20 km² which gives a population density of 393 inhabitants per km².

History [edit]

Between 1499 and 1795 the town was controlled by the House of Nassau (as did Breda in the Netherlands, Dillenburg in Germany and Orange in France) which was also the family of the Princes of Orange who at the end of the Napoleonic Wars became in 1815 the kings and queens of the Netherlands after the termination of the Dutch republic at the hands of revolutionary forces in 1795. The most famous representative of the House of Orange was William I of Orange-Nassau. Also known as William the Silent (1533-1584), who led the revolt of the United Provinces against Spain.

Diest is surrounded by high ramparts, which are partially preserved.

Sightseeing [edit]

Grote Markt

The market of Diest is surrounded by picturesque houses from the 16th to 18th Century. The townhall is also located here, in the basement of the city museum. Exhibits in the museum include the armour of Philip of Orange and a portrait of René of Orange-Nassau and his wife Anna of Lorraine.

St. Sulpitiuskerk

St. Sulpitius church is also located at the Grote Markt. It was built in 1417-1534 from brown sandstone, typical of this period. The grave of Philip of Orange can be found here. After the death of his father William I of Orange-Nassau, he became Lord of the city.

Town Centre

The house "Hof van Nassau" in the centre is worth a visit, along with Gothic Church of our Lady (built 1253-1288) which has an award-winning pulpit. In the Sint Jan Berchmansstraat you can visit the "Gulden Maan" house and the delivery room of St. John Berchmans.

Twin towns – Sister cities [edit]

Diest is twinned with:

Personalities [edit]

Saint John Berchmans (1599–1621), Jesuit seminarian, born in Diest. A young Jesuit born in Diest and died in Rome in 1621. His tomb is in St. Ignatius Church in Rome. He was canonized in 1888.
Timmy Simons, footballer, played 82 times for the Belgian national team (as of March 24, 2011)
Baron Bob Stouthuysen (b. 10 March 1929), businessman.
Omer Vanaudenhove (1913–1994), liberal politician
Peter van Diest, writer, probable author of the play Elckerlijc
Liliane Saint-Pierre, singer.
The Scabs, rock band of the 1980s and 1990s.
Philip William of Orange is buried in the church of Saint Sulpice.
Marleen Renders, Olympic athlete