Herentals (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦeːrə(n)tɑls]) is a city in the province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the city of Herentals proper and the towns of Morkhoven and Noorderwijk. In 2022, Herentals had a total population of 28.455.[2] The total area is 48.56 km2 (18.75 sq mi). Saint Waltrude is the patron saint of the city.

Herentals
Coat of arms of Herentals
Location of Herentals
Map
Herentals is located in Belgium
Herentals
Herentals
Location in Belgium
Location of Herentals in the province of Antwerp
Coordinates: 51°11′N 04°50′E / 51.183°N 4.833°E / 51.183; 4.833
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish region
ProvinceAntwerp
ArrondissementTurnhout
Government
 • MayorJan Michielsen (CD&V) (acting)
 • Governing party/iesN-VA, CD&V
Area
 • Total47.95 km2 (18.51 sq mi)
Population
 (2020-01-01)[1]
 • Total28,272
 • Density590/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Postal codes
2200
NIS code
13011
Area codes014
Websitewww.herentals.be

Highlights

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Herentals has some outstanding historical buildings, including the church and town hall; the town hall and its belfry is listed as one of the Belfries of Belgium and France, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[3] The old city gates, the Bovenpoort (Northern gate) and Zandpoort (Western gate) are still standing, while the Nederpoort and Koepoort were torn down a long time ago.

The Hidrodoe science museum is located in Herentals. There is also a large chocolate factory located in Herentals, which is the only production facility in the world for Milka's Leo chocolate wafer bar.

Herentals is a centre of commerce in the region, although the cities of Geel and Mol are quite popular as well.

Herentals is twinned with IJsselstein, Netherlands. The inhabitants of the Campine region have common sobriquets that are particular to their towns; people from Herentals are referred to by the colloquialisms "Klokkenververs" (meaning "bell painters") and "Peestekers", which comes from the old story about the farmers of the town using carrots (pekes, "pee"-stekers) as a lock on the "Zandpoort", one of the great city gates in that time.

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ "Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2020". Statbel.
  2. ^ "Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2022". Statistics Belgium. Retrieved 11 Jan 2023.
  3. ^ "World Heritage List | Belfries of Belgium and France". UNESCO. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
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