Zonhoven (in Walloon: Zonôf ) is a common of Belgium located in Flemish Région in the province of Limbourg to the north of Hasselt. The total population of the commune borders the 20  000  inhabitants.

Geography

Zonhoven belongs to the Campine. The north-eastern part of the commune belonging to the high plateau of Limbourg contains the culminating point of the commune (78 meters). Altitude decreases in direction of south-west, which forms already part of the valley Démer which passes just to the south on the commune of Hasselt, to reach an altitude from approximately 30 to 35 meters. The tilted ground is cut out by three valleys:

• the valley of the brook Laambeek in north.
• the valley of the brook Roosterbeek in the center.
• the valley of the brook Slangbeek in the south.

These three rivers are thrown finally in the Démer.

History

Etymology

Zonhoven bore in the past (in the neighborhoods of 1280) the name of Sonuwe . The area which is rich in the course of water had a river called Its (Old name of the river Roosterbeek .) The name Zonhoven appeared only for the first time towards half of the 16th century. For this reason, one thinks that the origin of the name of Zonhoven has nothing to do with the sun ( Zon in Dutch) although this one is present on the flag of the commune…

Prehistory

The area was populated very early if one believes of them the archaeological discoveries (weapons and tools produced containing polished stones) which are single for the Flanders.

The Middle Ages

As from the 11th century, Zonhoven belonged to the Comté of Looz. Mathilde de Looz, which was the girl of Arnoul V of Looz, accepted in 1308 as dowry of his/her father for his marriage with Godefroy de Heinsberg the country of Vogelsanck which corresponded to the territories of Zonhoven, of Zolder, Houthalen as well as the southern part of Heusden. Before its period under French administration, Zonhoven formed initially part of the baronnie country of Vogelsanck to the surroundings of 1600.

Limit of border

In 1330, Louis IV of Looz conceded the grounds of Heathers ranging between Zonhoven and Hasselt with the latter. Zonhoven was of opinion that the grounds of heathers did not belong to the count and which it could not thus give them to Hasselt. That brought to great battles with large damage bringing of long expensive lawsuits. Following these skirmishes, Maximilien-Henri of Bavaria of the Principauté of Liege ordered on July 23rd 1666 the installation of 21 terminals to delimit the borders definitively. But these terminals were quickly removed and the lawsuits started again. The prince sent a military detachment to calm the spirits. In 1761, a group of 600 inhabitants of Zonhoven took again the confrontations following the purchase of the grounds disputed by Hasselt. In 1811, the solution was found. The grounds depended administratively on Hasselt but the commune of Zonhoven was owner… This situation is always of application currently and in particular with the airport of Kiewit (in the north of Hasselt) which belongs administratively to Hasselt whereas the grounds belong to Zonhoven…

Ecclesiastical history

Zonhoven was as of the 8th century, a parish dependant on Hasselt with its own church. Patron saint was Saint Quentin as in Hasselt. The parish became an independent parish at the 12th century. Zonhoven fell under protection from the abbey from Herkenrode until its closing by the French in 1797. The parish which was alone until the 20th century formed three new parishes following the increase in population (Halveweg in 1938, Termolen in 1950 and Terdonk in 1965).

Treaty of Zonhoven

The treaty of Zonhoven is a treaty between the Netherlands and the Belgium signed on November 18th 1833 in the house called De Franse Kroon . The treaty made it possible Belgium to have a free access on the Meuse.

Recent history

At the 18th century, one found a textile big industry accompanied by cultures of flax and Chanvre. At the 19th century, textile industry declined and the population stagnated for one long period. At the beginning of the 20th century, a factory of cigars and an iron mine made it possible to engage more than 100 workers and the population started to increase. But the great change began at the time of the opening of the Charbonnage S in the area of Houthalen, Zolder and Winterslag. After the second world war appeared much of small firms what made it possible the population to triple between 1930 and 1980. During the fusion of the communes in 1977, Zonhoven gained 520 inhabitants and a surface of 8,35 km ² on its neighbouring communes.

.

• the vault Notre-Dame ( Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkapel ) was built around 1483 and was extended to the 16th century and towards 1900. The vault was restored in 1980 and is protected since 1971.
• the old communal house, located close to the church. Its frontage presents a double staircase and a triangular pediment with a sun gilded in relief going back to 1788. Monument protected since 1983, it is currently used like house of tourism.
• the house De Franse Kroon , which goes back to 1782 protected since 1985.
• the Holsteen : a stone of polishing dating from prehistory.
• the Vrankenschans , a defense system made up of ditches of the 17th century protected since 1981.
• the Paalsteen , a frontier terminal of 1666.

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