Bilzen () is a former municipality and city located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On 1 January 2025, the municipality merged with Hoeselt to form the new municipality Bilzen-Hoeselt.

In 2021, Bilzen had a total population of 32,536. The total area is 75.90&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> which gives a population density of 426 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup>.

Bilzen consists of the city of Bilzen and the following villages: Beverst, Eigenbilzen, , , , , , , , Rijkhoven, , and . In 1977 they all became part of the municipality Bilzen because of the fusion of municipalities.

Cities in Bilzen's neighbourhood are all within a distance of some 10 to 15 kilometers: to its north is Genk, to its east Maastricht (Netherlands), to its south Tongeren, and to its north-west Diepenbeek.

From 1965 to 1981 Bilzen hosted Jazz Bilzen, an annual multi-day open air jazz and rock festival. In its time Jazz Bilzen was the most important Belgian festival. Artists that performed, among many others, included: Humble Pie, The Moody Blues, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Humble Pie, The Kinks, The Troggs, Procol Harum, Golden Earring, Rod Stewart, Status Quo, Lou Reed, Aerosmith, AC/DC, The Cure, Toots Thielemans, Keith Jarrett and John McLaughlin. From the 1980s onwards, the festival was superseded by Torhout-Werchter, which has now become Rock Werchter.

History

For over 300 years, Bilzen was part of the County of Loon ().

Places of interest

  • Alden Biesen Castle in the village of Rijkhoven.
  • Munsterbilzen Abbey

==Born in Bilzen==<!-- New links in alphabetical order please -->

  • (born 1973), composer, conductor
  • Elke Clijsters (born 1985), tennis player and younger sister of Kim Clijsters.
  • Kim Clijsters (born 1983), tennis player.
  • Valérie Courtois (born 1990), volleyball player
  • Lisa del Bo (born 1961), singer
  • Camille Huysmans (1871–1968), politician, Prime Minister (August 1946 – 1947); mayor of Antwerp (1933–1946).
  • Jelle Vossen (born 1989), football player
  • Thibaut Courtois (born 1992) football player

<gallery>

File:Bilzen, Parochiekerk Sint-Mauritius oeg558 IMG 1066 2021-10-10 11.24.jpg|Bilzen, church: parochiekerk Sint-Mauritius

File:Bilzen - Stadhuis.jpg|Bilzen, townhall

File:Kasteelschoonbeek-1673-1-.jpg|Beverst, Schoonbeek castle

File:Mopertingen, Parochiekerk Sint-Catharina oeg723 IMG 1055 2021-10-10 10.48.jpg|Mopertingen, church: parochiekerk Sint-Catharina

File:Munsterbilzen, Parochiekerk Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ten-Hemelopneming oeg734 IMG 1072 2021-10-10 11.50.jpg|Munsterbilzen, church: parochiekerk Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ten-Hemelopneming

File:Landskommanderij, Alden Biesen.jpg|Rijkhoven, Alden Biesen commandry

</gallery>

References

  • Community Bilzen on Leesmee