Wellen

For other uses, see Wellen (disambiguation).

Wellen (Dutch pronunciation: ['ʋɛlə(n)] ^ⓘ; Limburgish: Wille) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On 1 January 2024, Wellen had a total population of 7,490. The total area is 26.72 km² with a population density of 279 inhabitants per km².

Wellen
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Wellen
Wellen Location in Belgium Location of Wellen in Limburg
Coordinates: 50°51′N 05°19′E
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community
Region	Flemish Region
Province	Limburg
Arrondissement	Tongeren
Government
• Mayor	Els Robeyns (Vooruit)
• Governing party/ies	Vooruit, CD&V
Area
• Total	26.8 km2 (10.3 sq mi)
Population  (2018-01-01)[1]
• Total	7,402
• Density	280/km2 (720/sq mi)
Postal codes	3830-3832
NIS code	73098
Area codes	012, 011
Website	www.wellen.be

The municipality consists of the following sub-municipalities: Wellen, Berlingen, Herten and Ulbeek. Other population centres and hamlets include: Bos, Beurs, Kukkelberg, Langenakker, Oetersloven, Overbroek, Russelt, and Vrolingen.

History

Archaeological findings suggest the place was inhabited already during the Frankish period (5th to 7th century). Debris from the river Herk on that spot made the soil fertile for farming. However, any mention of the name Wellene or Welnis doesn't occur until the second half of the 12th century.

The name Wellen derives from the Middle Dutch "wellene", meaning "source" or "pit" or, alternately, from Latin terra Villina, "agricultural holding". Wellen was long associated with the abbey of Munsterbilzen, founded around 670.