Romans in Tongeren and Borgloon
Tongeren was Belgium’s first city, and its influence was far-reaching. Even as far as Borgloon, where Roman remains can still be seen today. The Romans made Tongeren a civitas. 'Atuatuca Tungrorum' was a region with its own administration and an important agricultural area. Borgloon and Tongeren lie on the fertile border of dry and moist Haspengouw, with the Roman road from Tongeren to Tienen as the dividing line. While Tongeren developed its own administration at that time, Borgloon had none.
MEDIALOUNGE.BEPrincipality of Liège
Until the early Middle Ages... Borgloon, on a strategically located Loon hill, quickly attracted people. Like Tongeren, a representative of the king settled there and developed hereditary power in the 9th and 10th centuries. He became the count of Loon and at least a friend of Tongeren, part of bishopric Liège. Both cities vied for fertile land and control of the important Bruges-Cologne trade route. Tongeren became the bishop's northern bastion, while Borgloon became the capital of Loon, with Kolmont Castle as its fortress.
In the 14th century, hostilities between the inhabitants of Tongeren and Loon changed: Borgloon ceased to be the capital of a county and became a city of Liège. Tongeren lost its role as a northern bastion, thereby reducing its influence in Liège, and further disappeared from view. From then on, the two cities were no longer enemies but neighbours.
Studio DupontFruit Track
Our history runs more or less parallel from then on, through the French Revolution, the Dutch period and the foundation of Belgium in 1830. In the 19th century, both Tongeren and Borgloon experienced an economic boom, mainly due to the construction of the railways. The Fruit Track, also known as line 23, linked our cities physically and economically, just as the Roman Road did 2,000 years ago.
Today, we respect the individuality and rich past of Belgium's first city and the first city of the county of Loon. Because of our shared past, it makes sense to join forces. Together, we form the heart of southern Limburg and the fruit region.
Marijke Leys