DIEST - is a small town in the north - eastern part of Belgium, situated on the river Demer, about 30 kilometers east from Leuven. In the Middle Ages the town was of great importance, which has lost over the centuries. Today it is worth a visit because of a nice market, the seventeenth - eighteenth century tenement houses, church. Sulpicjiusza, the town museum, and above all for the charming UNESCO Heritage Site, the Beguinage.
History Diest
The oldest traces of human presence in the region dates back to the Paleolithic Diest (approx. 70000 BC). The actual foundations of the current Diest, however, were located only in the period of the Franks. According to tradition, St. Remi in the seventh century created a small church in honor of his teacher, saint Sulpice.
Diest in the Middle Ages
The earliest mention of Diest listed by name from the 877. At that time, Diest was part of the Carolingian kingdom. The 1087, the chronicler of Saint-Trond recalled certain Otto, Mr. Diest. His successors ruled Diest until 1499 year, when it passed into the hands of Engelbert, Count of Nassau. From now until the year 1795 Diest became the home of the Princes of Orange-Nassau - the family, which today prevails in the Netherlands - because this city has become known as the "Orange City". The Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands holds the title of Baroness Diest.
In the 1168 and 1190 year Diest was a vassal of the bishop of Cologne, in the hope of obtaining protection from the Duke of Brabant, who always sought to expand its territory. However, it was Henry I (1160 - 1235) , the Duke of Brabant, gave the city a 1229 the privilege of freedom, civic rights. In addition, it deepened the gap in relations between Diest and Cologne.
advantageous location near the trade route linking Bruges to Cologne meant that Diest quickly grew into a major trading center. The biggest boom the city experienced in the late fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, when there developed trade and industry a cloth.
In the 1568 Spanish troops attacked the town, which resisted turning the inhabitants of Diest was broken . The leaders of the defenders of the city were executed on the Main Market.
In the 1572 year Diest rebellion and for a short time the city was overrun by the locals. Only a month later, the Spaniards were able to re-take control of the city. W On {March 12} 1572 the Diest was confiscated by the king, and the city lost their privileges, and was forced to pay a fine.
8 1580 June, the city was occupied by the army of William I of Orange, known as William the Silent (1533-1584), who led the Republic of the United Provinces in the fight against Spain. Surprised Spanish garrison staying in Diest after fierce fighting around the Market Square salwował to escape.
Wilhelm was initially linked to the Spanish Habsburg rulers Netherlands, which owed the function of governor of Holland, Zealand, Utrecht. In an open armed struggle against Spain engaged in the 1568 r. After the outbreak of the so-called. Eighty Years' War. As the years passed and the military successes to grow its position and popularity among the people. The peak power of Wilhelm I fell year 1577, when the ceremonial entrance to Brussels, he became known as the "father of the fatherland." His career was interrupted by death at the hands of Balthazar Gerard, a fanatical supporter of Philip II. William I of Orange Netherlands is dedicated to the anthem "Wilhelmus van Nassau", since it derives from the country's motto "Je maintendre" colors of the flag, and orange as the unofficial color of the Dutch.
In the 1583, after re-mastered Diest Spanish troops began to threaten the communication between Antwerp and Brussels. In turn fell the city on the coast, which was part of the plan Farnese, aimed at ambient lands overrun by the insurgents. An important moment was the mastery of Zutphen. At the beginning of 1584 the Antwerp was cut off from the sea connection. Succession surrendered to Ypres and Bruges.
Eighty Years' War was one of the most difficult periods in the history of the city. In the 1566 and 1609, the population was decimated by appearing several times a plague, and by famine. The population fell sharply, and the economy fell into decline. Since then, the role of Diest was no longer merely regional.
Because of its strategic location on the border Brabant and Liege, and ties with dynasty Oranje -Nassau the city was objective regular siege looting and destruction. After between years 1701 - 1705 Diest was occupied alternately by the French and Dutch Spaniards.
Diest during the reign of Austrian
Time Austrian rule (1713-1790) ushered in a new period of recovery in Diest.
This period generally was considered quite a happy time for Diest and its inhabitants. reactivated trade, brewing flourished as never before. However, the reform of the Austrian monarchs were not well received by the people, because the French were welcomed in 1792 year as liberators. Already from the 1787, it became very restless in the city. Patriots and Austrian opponents of the regime were particularly active. They are organized in regular rebellions. In the 1789 residents took part in the uprising against Joseph II.
In the 1798 exploded in Kempen de Boer revolt. During the four days of fighting Diest was occupied by the troops of the rebels, and the city was surrounded by French troops. Soon, however, most of the rebels fled and defenseless town was once again won by the French.
Also, the reign of the English did not last long (1814-1830). In the 1837-1853 Diest was surrounded by new defensive wall against a possible invasion of the Netherlands. Since then the city has been squeezed between the ramparts, which constituted a major obstacle to its further development. It was not until after World War II, when the first housing estates on the outskirts of the city.
Despite the fact that during the I and World War II pulled down a large part of the walls surrounding the city in some places we can still see their remains. Fortunately, during the war Diest not suffered serious damage.
Today Diest is a small city in Flemish Brabant, which is a thriving shopping center, located on the main road between Cologne - Maastricht - Leuven - Brussels.
The oldest traces of human presence in the region dates back to the Paleolithic Diest (approx. 70000 BC). The actual foundations of the current Diest, however, were located only in the period of the Franks. According to tradition, St. Remi in the seventh century created a small church in honor of his teacher, saint Sulpice.
Diest in the Middle Ages
The earliest mention of Diest listed by name from the 877. At that time, Diest was part of the Carolingian kingdom. The 1087, the chronicler of Saint-Trond recalled certain Otto, Mr. Diest. His successors ruled Diest until 1499 year, when it passed into the hands of Engelbert, Count of Nassau. From now until the year 1795 Diest became the home of the Princes of Orange-Nassau - the family, which today prevails in the Netherlands - because this city has become known as the "Orange City". The Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands holds the title of Baroness Diest.
In the 1168 and 1190 year Diest was a vassal of the bishop of Cologne, in the hope of obtaining protection from the Duke of Brabant, who always sought to expand its territory. However, it was Henry I (1160 - 1235) , the Duke of Brabant, gave the city a 1229 the privilege of freedom, civic rights. In addition, it deepened the gap in relations between Diest and Cologne.
advantageous location near the trade route linking Bruges to Cologne meant that Diest quickly grew into a major trading center. The biggest boom the city experienced in the late fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, when there developed trade and industry a cloth.
In the 1568 Spanish troops attacked the town, which resisted turning the inhabitants of Diest was broken . The leaders of the defenders of the city were executed on the Main Market.
In the 1572 year Diest rebellion and for a short time the city was overrun by the locals. Only a month later, the Spaniards were able to re-take control of the city. W On {March 12} 1572 the Diest was confiscated by the king, and the city lost their privileges, and was forced to pay a fine.
8 1580 June, the city was occupied by the army of William I of Orange, known as William the Silent (1533-1584), who led the Republic of the United Provinces in the fight against Spain. Surprised Spanish garrison staying in Diest after fierce fighting around the Market Square salwował to escape.
Wilhelm was initially linked to the Spanish Habsburg rulers Netherlands, which owed the function of governor of Holland, Zealand, Utrecht. In an open armed struggle against Spain engaged in the 1568 r. After the outbreak of the so-called. Eighty Years' War. As the years passed and the military successes to grow its position and popularity among the people. The peak power of Wilhelm I fell year 1577, when the ceremonial entrance to Brussels, he became known as the "father of the fatherland." His career was interrupted by death at the hands of Balthazar Gerard, a fanatical supporter of Philip II. William I of Orange Netherlands is dedicated to the anthem "Wilhelmus van Nassau", since it derives from the country's motto "Je maintendre" colors of the flag, and orange as the unofficial color of the Dutch.
In the 1583, after re-mastered Diest Spanish troops began to threaten the communication between Antwerp and Brussels. In turn fell the city on the coast, which was part of the plan Farnese, aimed at ambient lands overrun by the insurgents. An important moment was the mastery of Zutphen. At the beginning of 1584 the Antwerp was cut off from the sea connection. Succession surrendered to Ypres and Bruges.
Eighty Years' War was one of the most difficult periods in the history of the city. In the 1566 and 1609, the population was decimated by appearing several times a plague, and by famine. The population fell sharply, and the economy fell into decline. Since then, the role of Diest was no longer merely regional.
Because of its strategic location on the border Brabant and Liege, and ties with dynasty Oranje -Nassau the city was objective regular siege looting and destruction. After between years 1701 - 1705 Diest was occupied alternately by the French and Dutch Spaniards.
Diest during the reign of Austrian
Time Austrian rule (1713-1790) ushered in a new period of recovery in Diest.
This period generally was considered quite a happy time for Diest and its inhabitants. reactivated trade, brewing flourished as never before. However, the reform of the Austrian monarchs were not well received by the people, because the French were welcomed in 1792 year as liberators. Already from the 1787, it became very restless in the city. Patriots and Austrian opponents of the regime were particularly active. They are organized in regular rebellions. In the 1789 residents took part in the uprising against Joseph II.
In the 1798 exploded in Kempen de Boer revolt. During the four days of fighting Diest was occupied by the troops of the rebels, and the city was surrounded by French troops. Soon, however, most of the rebels fled and defenseless town was once again won by the French.
Also, the reign of the English did not last long (1814-1830). In the 1837-1853 Diest was surrounded by new defensive wall against a possible invasion of the Netherlands. Since then the city has been squeezed between the ramparts, which constituted a major obstacle to its further development. It was not until after World War II, when the first housing estates on the outskirts of the city.
Despite the fact that during the I and World War II pulled down a large part of the walls surrounding the city in some places we can still see their remains. Fortunately, during the war Diest not suffered serious damage.
Today Diest is a small city in Flemish Brabant, which is a thriving shopping center, located on the main road between Cologne - Maastricht - Leuven - Brussels.