View source for Hasselt

{{Short description|Capital of Limburg province, Belgium}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox Belgium municipality
|name             = Hasselt
|type             = city
|picture          = {{multiple image
    | border = infobox |perrow = 1/2/2/2 |total_width = 300px|caption_align = center
    |image1= Panorama Hasselt- stadscentrum met Sint Quintinuskathedraal en Blauwe Boulevard.jpg
    |caption1 = City center with [[St. Quentin's Cathedral, Hasselt|St. Quentin's Cathedral]] in the bottom left
    |image2 = Grote Markt Hasselt.jpg
    |caption2 = Grote Markt
    |image3= Hasselt Het Sweert 2.JPG
    |caption3 = timber-framed house ''Het Sweert''
    |image4= Stadhuis Hasselt.jpg
    |caption4 = Old City Hall
    |image5= Stadshuis Hasselt.jpg
    |caption5 = New City Hall
     }}
|picture-legend   = 
|map              = Map Belgium Hasselt 2025.svg
|map-legend       = Location of Hasselt in Limburg
|arms             = Wapen van Hasselt.svg
|flag             = Hasselt (B) vlag.svg
|province         = [[Limburg (Belgium)|Limburg]]
|arrondissement   = Hasselt
|nis              = 71072
|mayor            = [[Steven Vandeput]] ([[New Flemish Alliance|N-VA]])
|majority         = [[Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats|Open VLD]]/[[New Flemish Alliance|N-VA]], [[CD&V]], [[Vooruit_(political_party)|Vooruit]]
|postal-codes     = 3500, 3501, 3510, 3511, 3512, 3720, 3721, 3722, 3723, 3724
|telephone-area   = 011 - 012
|web              = [http://www.hasselt.be/ www.hasselt.be]
|coordinates      = {{coord|50|55|48|N|05|20|15|E|region:BE|display=inline,title}}
|footnotes=[[File:Hasselt 2017.svg|120px|center]]{{center|[[Logo]] of Hasselt}}}}
'''Hasselt''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈɦɑsəlt|-|nl-Hasselt.ogg}}, {{IPA|li|ˈɦɑsəlt}},{{fix|text=tone?|date=March 2022}} {{IPA|fr|asɛlt}}) is the capital and largest [[City status in Belgium|city]] of the [[Provinces of Belgium|province]] of [[Limburg (Belgium)|Limburg]] in the [[Flemish Region]] of [[Belgium]].

As of 1 January 2025, Hasselt had a total population of 90,249. The old town of Hasselt is surrounded by a number of satellite hamlets including [[Kiewit]], Runkst, Banneuxwijk, [[Godsheide]] and Rapertingen. Further away are several [[Deelgemeente#Belgium|sub-municipalities]] which were once within other municipalities, including [[Guigoven]], [[Kermt]], [[Kortessem]], [[Kuringen]], [[Sint-Lambrechts-Herk]], [[Spalbeek]], [[Stevoort]], [[Stokrooie]], [[Wimmertingen]], [[Vliermaal]], [[Vliermaalroot]], and [[Wintershoven]].

Geographically, Hasselt is located between the [[Campine]] region, north of the [[Demer]] river, and the [[Hesbaye]] region, to the south.  Both the Demer river and the [[Albert Canal]] run through the municipality.

In terms of economic regions, Hasselt is within the transnational [[Meuse-Rhine Euroregion]], connecting neighbouring regions in [[Wallonia]], [[the Netherlands]] and [[Germany]].

==History==
{{See also|History of Belgian Limburg}}
[[File:Hasselt Ferraris.png|thumb|left|Hasselt on the [[Ferraris map]] (around 1775)]]
Hasselt was founded in approximately the 7th century on the Helbeek, a tributary of the [[Demer]] river. During the Middle Ages it became one of the free cities of the [[county of Loon]] (which had borders approximately the same as the current province of Limburg). It was first named in a document in 1165. In 1232 [[Arnold IV, Count of Loon]] gave the city the same freedoms as those enjoyed in Liège. Hasselt became the biggest city in present-day Limburg thanks to its favourable setting, and the proximity of the count's castle at [[Herkenrode Abbey|Herkenrode]] in [[Kuringen]]. In 1366 the county of Loon came under the direct rule of the [[Prince-Bishopric of Liège]] and remained so until the annexation by France in 1794.{{fact|date=January 2025}}

During the [[First French Empire]], the city of [[Maastricht]] became the capital of the [[French Department]] of the [[Lower Meuse]]. This comprised not only the area of the modern province of Limburg in Belgium, but also what is now the [[Limburg (Netherlands)|province of Limburg]] in the Netherlands. After the defeat of [[Napoleon]] in 1815, all of what is now Belgium became part of the [[United Kingdom of the Netherlands]]. During this time, it was [[William I of the Netherlands|King William I]] who re-named the Lower Meuse department after the medieval [[Duchy of Limburg]]. This Duchy was in fact named after [[Limbourg]] on the [[Vesdre]] river, now in the Liège province of Belgium, which had never encompassed Hasselt or Maastricht. Belgium split from the Netherlands in 1830, but the status of Limburg was only resolved nine years later in 1839, with the division of Limburg into Belgian and Dutch parts. Hasselt became the provisional capital of the Belgian province of Limburg. In ecclesiastical terms, Belgian Limburg became an independent entity from the [[Diocese of Liège]] only in 1967, and Hasselt became the seat of the new [[Diocese of Hasselt]].{{fact|date=January 2025}}

In 1977, Hasselt merged with several surrounding municipalities attaching the current [[Deelgemeente|sub-municipalities]] of [[Kermt]], [[Kuringen]], [[Sint-Lambrechts-Herk]], [[Stevoort]] and [[Wimmertingen]].{{fact|date=January 2025}}

Since the beginning of the 21st century, many urban renewal projects have taken place in the city, including the construction of the Two Towers (TT) neighborhood. From 1 January 2025, the neighboring village of [[Kortessem]] will merge into Hasselt, becoming a new sub-municipality.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20240911140701/https://www.vlaanderen.be/lokaal-bestuur/samenwerking-fusies-regiovorming-en-verzelfstandiging/lopende-fusietrajecten-2019-2024 Lopende fusietrajecten 2019-2024], Vlaanderen</ref>

== Etymology ==
The name ''Hasselt'' is derived from the Germanic word ''Hasaluth'' which refers to the [[common hazel]].<ref>P.A.F. van Veen & N. van der Sijs. ''Etymologisch woordenboek: de herkomst van onze woorden'' Van Dale Lexicografie, 1989</ref>

==Town centre==
The centre is mostly car-free and contains a number of historical buildings. Among the oldest buildings in the town centre are the [[St. Quentin Cathedral, Hasselt|St. Quentin's Cathedral]] (11th to 18th centuries) and the Refuge of [[Herkenrode Abbey]], the city's oldest civic building (1542). The ''Grote Markt'' (Grand Market) and the nearby streets are lined with restaurants brasseries, cafes and taverns.{{fact|date=January 2025}}

The Demerstraat and the Koning Albertstraat are the most important shopping streets, while the Kapelstraat and Hoogstraat house upscale shops and brands.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NWS |first=VRT |date=2022-06-14 |title=Universiteit Hasselt helpt lokale handelaars vernieuwen |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2022/06/14/universiteit-hasselt-helpt-lokale-handelaars-vernieuwen/ |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=vrtnws.be |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lagere huurprijzen voor winkels remmen leegstand (zachtjes) af |url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20220825_95320460 |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=De Standaard |date=25 August 2022 |language=nl-BE}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Melaerts |first=Lauranne |date=2019-07-15 |title=Citytrip in eigen land: deze Belgische steden zijn geweldig om te bezoeken |url=https://newsmonkey.be/citytrip-in-eigen-land-deze-belgische-steden-zijn-geweldig-om-te-bezoeken/ |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=Newsmonkey |language=nl-BE}}</ref> Another major religious building besides the cathedral is the [[Virga Jesse Basilica]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-26 |title=Escapadas en coche (o en tren) desde Bruselas que no te puedes perder |url=https://www.hola.com/viajes/galeria/2017052695045/escapadas-coche-cerca-bruselas/1/ |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=hola.com |language=es}}</ref> The churches must cede domination of the skyline of the city to the modern twin towers of the ''TT-wijk'' (TT Quarter), however. In 2003, the renovation of this complex, now including a shopping mall and a hotel, gave the centre a new boost. In 2004, Hasselt was the first city to receive the title "most sociable city in Flanders".<ref>{{Cite web |last=NWS |first=VRT |date=2022-09-07 |title=Brewmine Tap is de eerste stadsbrouwerij in Hasselt sinds 1965 |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2022/09/07/brewmine-tap-is-de-eerste-stadsbrouwerij-in-hasselt-sinds-1965/ |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=vrtnws.be |language=nl}}</ref>

==Demographics==
In 1977, the merger of Hasselt with several surrounding municipalities added 22.309 inhabitants at the time to its own population of 40.446 inhabitants. As of 1 October 2024, Hasselt had a total population of 81.708 (40.070 men and 41.638 women).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Globaal bevolkingscijfers per gemeente |url=https://www.ibz.rrn.fgov.be/fileadmin/user_upload/nl/bev/statistieken/stat-1-1_n.pdf |access-date=9 September 2022 |archive-date=11 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111002452/http://www.ibz.rrn.fgov.be/fileadmin/user_upload/nl/bev/statistieken/stat-1-1_n.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Languages===
* [[Dutch language|Dutch]] in Hasselt is often spoken with a distinctive Limburgish [[Accent (dialect)|accent]] and vocabulary, which should not be confused with the Limburgish language.
* [[Limburgish]] (or ''Limburgian'') is the overlapping term for the [[tonal languages|tonal]] dialects spoken in the Belgian and Dutch provinces of Limburg. The [[Hasselt dialect]] is only one of many variants of Limburgish.<ref>{{citation|last=Peters|first=Jörg|year=2006|title=The dialect of Hasselt|journal=Journal of the International Phonetic Association|volume=36|issue=1|page=117|doi=10.1017/S0025100306002428|doi-access=free}}</ref> Limburgish is a language, and not the same as the regional variation of [[Dutch language|Dutch]] spoken in [[Dutch Limburg]] and [[Belgian Limburg]].[[File:Sint Quintinuskathedraal.jpg|thumb|[[St. Quentin's Cathedral]]]] Since Limburgish is still the mother tongue of many inhabitants, Limburgish grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation can however have a significant impact on the way locals speak Dutch in public life.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2007 |title=Limburgismen in het handschrift-Borgloon |journal=Tijdschrift voor Nederlandse Taal- en Letterkunde |volume=123 |pages=298–332 |hdl=1887/14150}}</ref>
*French was historically spoken by some of the city population within living memory.

=== Religion ===
Hasselt is the main seat of the Catholic diocese of Hasselt, which covers the entire Belgian province of Limburg. The main church is [[St. Quentin Cathedral, Hasselt|St. Quentin's Cathedral]]. Hasselt also consists of about 30 parishes. Next to the Catholic Church, Hasselt houses both a Moroccan and Turkish mosque as both communities are well-established in the city and the surrounding municipalities.

==Main sights==
[[File:Herkenrodeabdij1.jpg|thumb|[[Herkenrode Abbey]]]]
[[File:Oud Gasthuis Thonissenlaan.jpg|thumb|''Grauwzustersklooster'', including the Old Inn]]
{{multiple image
| width             = 150
| footer            = [[Eclecticism in architecture|Eclectic architecture]] in Hasselt
| image1            = Hasselt - Voormalig postgebouw.jpg
| caption1          = Old Post Office
| image2            = Hasselt Provincieraadsgebouw 1.JPG
| caption2          = Old Provincial Government Building
}}

* [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] [[St. Quentin's Cathedral]], seat of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Hasselt]]
* [[Virga Jesse Basilica]], late-[[Baroque architecture|baroque]] and early-[[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] architecture
* [[Herkenrode Abbey]], Cistercian monastery
* [[Beguinage]] of Hasselt
* Grote Markt, including the timber-framed house ''Het Sweert''
* Havermarkt, including the Old Post Office, the Old Courthouse, and the Augustinian Abbey
* Several buildings in the style of [[Mosan Renaissance architecture]], among them the former ''Grauwzustersklooster'' (Abbey of the [[Third Order of Saint Francis|Grey Sisters of the Third Order]])
* Several buildings in the style of [[Eclecticism in architecture|eclectic architecture]], among them the Old Post Office and the Old Provincial Government Building
* [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] Old City Hall
* Refuge of Herkenrode Abbey, the city's oldest civic building
* Old Prison, now housing [[Hasselt University]]
* Oud Kerkhof, historic cemetery
* New City Hall, christened '''t Scheep'' (The Ship)
* New Courthouse
* [[Art Museum Z33]] in the Beguinage
* National [[Jenever]] Museum<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Times |first=The Brussels |title=Hidden Belgium: The Jenever Museum |url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/291698/hidden-belgium-the-jenever-museum |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=www.brusselstimes.com |language=en}}</ref>
* City Museum of Hasselt
* Fashion Museum in the former ''Grauwzustersklooster''
* Cultuurcentrum Hasselt
* [[Japanese Garden of Hasselt|Japanese gardens]], the largest in Europe
* Kiewit Nature Park
* [[Kiewit Airfield]] (recreational)

===Events===
*The Virga Jesse festival, featuring a Procession of the historic wooden statue of infant Jesus with Mary, is celebrated every seven years, it will be in August 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hasselt.be/nl/content/1453/virga-jessefeesten.html |title=Hasselt Town Hall's Virga Jesse link |publisher=Hasselt.be |access-date=21 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319041551/http://www.hasselt.be/nl/content/1453/virga-jessefeesten.html |archive-date=19 March 2012 }}</ref>
*The yearly Jenever Festival celebrates the history of Jenever in Hasselt.
*Hasselt celebrates [[Carnival]], but at a slightly different date than most places.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hasselt.be/nl/press/2817/carnaval-2010-halfvastenweekend.html |title=Hasselt Town Hall's Carnival link |publisher=Hasselt.be |date=15 February 2010 |access-date=21 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001131351/http://www.hasselt.be/nl/press/2817/carnaval-2010-halfvastenweekend.html |archive-date=1 October 2011 }}</ref>
*The suburb Kiewit is the location of the yearly [[Pukkelpop]] (''Pimple Pop'') festival, one of Europe's largest alternative music festivals with over a hundred concerts. ''Rimpelrock'' (''Wrinkle Rock''), a festival with music for an older audience, is held at the same location one week prior.
*As in most Belgian cities, there is an annual [[Kermesse (festival)|Kermesse]] on a date associated with the local church's patron saint - in this case [[Lambert of Maastricht|Saint Lambert]] -, which takes place in September.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hasselt.be/nl/content/6880/b-b-kermis-b-b-in-hasselt.html |title=Hasselt Town Hall's Kermis page |publisher=Hasselt.be |access-date=21 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319041535/http://www.hasselt.be/nl/content/6880/b-b-kermis-b-b-in-hasselt.html |archive-date=19 March 2012 }}</ref>
*The [[Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2005]] was held in Hasselt.
*The [[Grand Prix van Hasselt]] is a [[cyclo-cross]] race held in November which is part of the [[BPost Bank Trophy]].
*[[Gaz de France Stars]] was a [[WTA Tour]] tennis tournament held in Hasselt from 2004 to 2006.
*The [[European Championship (darts)|European Darts Championship]] was held in the city's [[Trixxo Arena]] three times from 2015-2017.

== Gastronomy ==
Hasselt brands itself as the "Capital of Taste", owing to its local distilleries of [[Jenever]], the Hasselt Jenever Festival, Hasselt [[speculaas]], and chocolate production.<ref name="Hasselt">[https://www.britannica.com/place/Hasselt Hasselt] [[Encyclopædia Britannica]], 06.02.2012</ref><ref name="visithasselt.be">[https://www.visithasselt.be/en/hasselt-specialities-taste-touch-of-hasselt  Hasselt specialities: taste a touch of Hasselt] Visit Hasselt, 12.06.2023</ref><ref name="Hasselt tastes">[https://www.visithasselt.be/en/hasselt-tastes Hasselt tastes] Visit Hasselt, 24.10.2023</ref>

=== Hasseltse Jenever (Hasselt gin) ===
[[File:Jenever Fryns Smeets Hasselt 2022.jpg|thumb|United Hasselt Distillers distills the famous brands ''Fryns'' and ''Smeets'' of Hasselt jenevers or gins]]
Hasselt is famous for its gin, locally known as [[Jenever]]. Even though the spirit is produced across the entire country of Belgium, Hasselt Jenever became famous when the city escaped the 1601 ban on the sale and production of the beverage imposed by [[Albert VII, Archduke of Austria]] and [[Isabella Clara Eugenia]], both Archduke and Archduchess of the [[Spanish Netherlands|Habsburg Netherlands]], because it belonged to the [[Prince-Bishopric of Liège]]. Dutch troops stationed in the city from 1675 to 1681 ensured that Hasselt Jenever, more than any other Belgian jenever, carried aromas of herbs and berries.
[[File:Graanstokerij-Smeets-in-Hasselt 2023 INDUS F10694-018.jpg|thumb|The former Smeets gin distillery built in 1947, still standing at Raamstraat 17.]]
At the end of the 19th century, dire living conditions among the working population and cheap Jenever prepared from sugar beet molasses led to the annual consumption of 9.5 litres of Jenever (50% vol) per inhabitant of Belgium. Jenever production was the most important industry in Limburg in the 19th century with most distilleries being located in Hasselt. However, increase in excise duty, competition from cheap industrial alcohol, the confiscation of copper stills by the Germans during World War I, and the Vandervelde law against alcohol abuse caused most distilleries in Hasselt to disappear or to be taken over by larger competitors.

By the early 21st century, Hasselt only housed two distilleries (known as 'stokerij' in Dutch): the National Jenever Museum<ref name=":1" /> and Stokerij Wissels, which was later bought by the larger Stokerij Fryns, based in [[Ghent]], which resumed Jenever production on the former Wissels grounds under the Fryns name. Today, three Jenever distilleries operate in Hasselt: the National Jenever Museum, Stokerij Fryns, and Stokerij Vanderlinden, founded in 2017.<ref>[https://www.visitlimburg.be/en/breweries-and-distilleries Breweries and distilleries] Visit Limburg, accessed 15.01.2024</ref><ref>[https://www.fryns.com/over-ons/ Familiebedrijf sinds 1887] Fryns, accessed 15.01.2024</ref> 
[[File:Borrelmanneke Hasselt.jpg|thumb|Het Borrelmanneke, symbolising the Hasselt gin culture and history]]

==== Hasselt Jenever Festival====
Every year during the third weekend of October, the two-day Hasselt Jenever Festival takes place. It includes, among other elements, musical, dance, and [[street theatre]] performances, the ''Borrelmanneke'' fountain on Maastricherstraat being transformed from a water fountain into a Jenever fountain for the day and a [[Waiters' Race]] through the city center.<ref>[https://www.visithasselt.be/nl/jeneverfeesten Jeneverfesten] Visit Hasselt, accessed 15.01.2014</ref>

=== Hasselt speculaas ===
[[File:Speculaas.jpg|thumb|Hasselt speculaas]]
Hasselt speculaas is a type of [[speculaas]] originating from and only produced in Hasselt. It differs from the type of speculaas eaten in the rest of Belgium in its greater thickness, its smaller reliance on spices - which gives it a milder taste -, and in its structure, with a crispy crust and soft, doughy insides.<ref>[https://www.visithasselt.be/nl/blog/bak-je-eigen-hasseltse-speculaas  Bak je eigen Hasseltse speculaas] Visit Hasselt, 21.11.2023</ref>

Speculaas was baked in Hasselt as early as the 14th century. According to tradition, Hasselt speculaas was eaten with chilled Jenever. The early 19th century saw the introduction of the ''Spéculation de Hasselt'' - the Hasselt speculaas -, which was soon exported to [[Brussels]] and to Liège, among others. Until the [[Second World War]], Hasselt speculaas was only baked around [[Saint Nicholas Day]], since then it has been sold throughout the entire year.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210202050948/https://www.visithasselt.be/nl/hasseltse-speculaas Hasseltse Speculaas] Visit Hasselt, 10.12.2020</ref>

== Branding ==
Since the early 2000s, Hasselt has been known within Flanders for its distinctive and sometimes outspoken branding as a city. In 2002, former mayor, [[Steve Stevaert]], introduced the catchphrase "Hasselt Capital of Taste" (Dutch: ''Hasselt Hoofdstad van de Smaak''),<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-03-30 |title=De smaken van Hasselt - Stad Hasselt |url=https://www.hasselt.be/nl/collections/854/de-smaken-van-hasselt.html |access-date=2024-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330035447/https://www.hasselt.be/nl/collections/854/de-smaken-van-hasselt.html |archive-date=30 March 2013 }}</ref> creating a well-known brand image across the Flemish region to promote its touristic attractions, stores and local industries.

After 15 years the city decided to rebrand to "Hasselt has it" (Dutch: ''Hasselt heeft het'').<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Dirk |last2=Vandenreyt |first2=Caroline |date=23 June 2017 |title=Nieuw stadslogo kostte 115.000 euro: "Hasselt heeft het" |url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20170623_02938238 |work=Het Belang van Limburg}}</ref> However, the city's old branding remained in use by its citizens and beyond. Five years later, due to this brand recognition, the city decided to reverse to the original catchphrase in spoken communication, and use ''"Hasselt Smaakmaker Spraakmaker"'' in written communication and visuals.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Dirk |date=30 November 2022 |title=Hasselt heeft heimwee naar 'Hoofdstad van de Smaak': "We willen dat gevoel terug" |url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20221130_97241017 }}</ref>

In 2023, a dating platform had selected Hasselt as the Belgian city with the most eligible singles. The city developed a tourism campaign based on this claim, showing diverse couples throughout the city within promotional videos and posters, while also strategically highlighting the claims of the dating platform. The campaign saw the use of a new catchphrase "Hasselt tastes like more" (Dutch: ''Hasselt smaakt naar meer''), building further on their earlier catchphrase "Hasselt Capital of Taste".<ref>{{Cite web |last=NWS |first=VRT |date=2023-05-12 |title=Stad Hasselt lanceert opvallende filmpjes voor nieuwe toeristische campagne "Hasselt smaakt naar meer" |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2023/05/12/opvallende-campagnefilmpjes-om-toeristen-naar-hasselt-te-brengen/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=vrtnws.be |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Vandenreyt |first=Caroline |date=12 May 2023 |title=Gedurfde campagne van Stad Hasselt: "Hier vind je de knapste vrijgezellen van het land" |url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20230512_93730112 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Vandenreyt |first1=Caroline |last2=Jacobs |first2=Dirk |date=14 December 2023 |title=Bierkaartjes in 400 cafés moeten toeristen in Hasselt aan een lief helpen |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20231214_95612723 }}</ref>

== Economy ==
[[File:Main entrance Virga Jesse campus 2022.jpg|thumb|Main entrance to the city centre campus of the Jessa Hospital in 2022.]]
With 3,000 employees, the [[Jessa Hospital]] in Hasselt is the city's biggest employer with two health care campuses and one logistical campus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jessa Ziekenhuis en stad werken samen parkeerplan uit |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20190712_04507791 |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=www.nieuwsblad.be |date=13 July 2019 |language=nl-BE}}</ref> [[Cegeka|Cegeka Group]], a European provider of IT solutions, services, and consultancy is also one of the city's largest employers, generating a turnover of €744 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=De groeimotor van Cegeka op toerental: 744 miljoen omzet na 30 jaar |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20220509_95440169 |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=Het Nieuwsblad Mobile |date=9 May 2022 |language=nl-BE}}</ref> The city also provides an ecosystem for start-ups, scale-ups, and major companies through its [[Corda Campus]], surrounded by government organizations and research institutions. Currently, 5,000 people work in 250 companies over a land area of 9 acres, formerly being occupied by [[Philips]]. By 2030, an investment of €150 million at the site is planned to generate employment for 7,500 people in 350 companies on an area of 14 acres.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 March 2022 |title=Corda Campus in Hasselt wil fors uitbreiden |url=https://www.bouwkroniek.be/article/corda-campus-in-hasselt-wil-fors-uitbreiden.45422 |website=Bouwkroniek |language=nl |access-date=25 September 2022 |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929135840/https://www.bouwkroniek.be/article/corda-campus-in-hasselt-wil-fors-uitbreiden.45422 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Inventions ===
The [[Cassette tape|Compact Cassette]] and [[Cassette recorder|Cassette Recorder]] were invented by a team of Belgian and Dutch engineers, led by the [[Lou Ottens]], at Philips' Hasselt site in 1963.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rothman |first=Lily |title=Rewound: On its 50th birthday, the cassette tape is still rolling |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2148631,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802030310/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2148631,00.html |archive-date=2 August 2013 |access-date=6 August 2013 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=30 August 2013 |title=Gouden jubileum muziekcassette |url=http://nos.nl/artikel/546117-gouden-jubileum-muziekcassette.html |access-date=30 December 2013 |work=NOS}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2 September 2013 |title=Compact Cassette supremo Lou Ottens talks to El Reg |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/09/02/compact_cassette_supremo_lou_ottens_talks_to_el_reg/?page=1 |access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Meesters |first=Joos |date=26 January 2019 |title=Geheime Hasseltse uitvinding beleeft na halve eeuw tweede jeugd: De cassette laat zich niet kisten |url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20190125_04131901 }}</ref> In 1983, a team of engineers developed one of the first [[compact disc]] (CD) devices at Philips Hasselt.<ref>{{Cite news |last=maw |date=23 October 2017 |title=48 jaar Philips Hasselt: van cassette-recorder tot competentiecentrum voor cd-technologie |url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20171023_03147993#:~:text=In%20die%2048%20jaar%20had,getekend%20op%202%20maart%201954. }}</ref>

==Transport==
===Road===
[[File:Albertkanaal.jpg|thumb|right|[[Albert Canal]] near Hasselt]]
Hasselt lies at the junction of important traffic arteries from several directions. The most important motorways are the [[European route E313]] ([[Antwerp]]-[[Liège]]) and the [[European route E314]] ([[Brussels]]-[[Aachen]]). The old town of Hasselt is enclosed by 2 [[ring road]]s. The outer ring road serves to keep traffic out of the city center and main residential areas. The inner ring road, the ''Green Boulevard'', serves to keep traffic out of the commercial center, which is almost entirely a pedestrian area. There are also important traffic arteries to [[Tongeren]], [[Sint-Truiden]], [[Genk]], and [[Diest]].

=== Nearby airports ===
The city lies within approximately an hour's drive from the airports of [[Brussels Airport|Brussels]], [[Liège Airport|Liège]], [[Antwerp Airport|Antwerp]], [[Charleroi Airport|Charleroi]], [[Eindhoven Airport|Eindhoven]], [[Maastricht Aachen Airport|Maastricht]], [[Cologne Bonn Airport|Cologne/Bonn]], and [[Düsseldorf Airport|Düsseldorf]]. Within a three-hour radius, the major hubs of [[Charles de Gaulle Airport|Paris]], [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Amsterdam]] and [[Frankfurt Airport|Frankfurt]] can be reached. Some of these airports have direct public transport links via either train or intercity bus lines, like [[FlixBus|Flixbus]].

=== Kiewit Airfield ===
The suburb of [[Kiewit]], Hasselt is home to Belgium's oldest existing airfield, being also one of the oldest in the world. [[Kiewit Airfield]] opened in 1909, just six years after the [[Wright brothers]]' first flight. In October 1910, the first Belgian [[air show]] took place here.

Currently it is a recreational airfield with a single grass runway of 600m length with mixed activity of airplanes and gliders.

===Bus===
[[File:Hasselt - Station Hasselt.jpg|thumb|right|Hasselt railway station. All the city's local [[zero-fare]] buses, as well as regional buses and trains depart from here.]]
Hasselt introduced a [[zero-fare]] policy for all public buses in 1997. By 2006, the usage of public transport had increased by 800–900% compared to pre-zero-fare numbers.<ref>C. van Goeverden, P. Rietveld, J. Koelemeijer, P. Peeters: [http://www.istiee.org/te/papers/N32/02%20van%20goeverden%20_5-25_.pdf 'Subsidies in public transport'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916064806/http://www.istiee.org/te/papers/N32/02%20van%20goeverden%20_5-25_.pdf |date=16 September 2008 }} ''European Transport'' 32 (2006): 5–25</ref> In 2013, bus subsidies were reduced, resulting in the reintroduction of fares (60 cents per ride).<ref name = "Eltis">{{cite web|url=http://www.eltis.org/index.php?ID1=5&id=60&news_id=4183|title=Hasselt cancels free public transport after 16 years (Belgium) |publisher=eltis.org}}</ref>

<ref>
{{Citation
  | last = PR Newswire
  | title = Hasselt Celebrates 10 Years of Free Public Transport
  | date = 29 June 2007
  | url = http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=201965
  | access-date = 21 February 2002}}
</ref> The city's official website records<ref name="hasselt.be">{{cite web |url=http://www.hasselt.be/content/content/record.php?ID=4418 |title=Stad HASSELT :: 10 jaar gratis openbaar vervoer |access-date=11 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020214003/http://www.hasselt.be/content/content/record.php?ID=4418 |archive-date=20 October 2008 }}</ref> passenger growth as follows:

{| border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center;"
|+'''''Passenger growth'''''
|- style="background:#f8f8f8;"
! Year !! Passengers !! Percentage
|-
| 1996 || 360 000 || 100%
|-
| 1997|| 1,498,088 || 428%
|-
| 1998 || 2,837,975|| 810%
|-
| 1999 || 2,840,924 || 811%
|-
| 2000 || 3,178,548 || 908%
|-
| 2001 || 3,706,638 || 1059%
|-
| 2002 || 3,640,270 || 1040%
|-
| 2003 || 3,895,886 || 1113%
|-
| 2004 || 4,259,008 || 1217%
|-
| 2005 || 4,257,408 || 1216%
|-
| 2006 || 4,614,844 || 1319%
|}
A Belgian website describes Hasselt identity cards as becoming "like gold in value", because of free bus travel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gva.be/dossiers/-o/opver/hasselt.asp |title=Pagina niet gevonden - Gva.be |access-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720192415/http://www.gva.be/dossiers/-o/opver/hasselt.asp |archive-date=20 July 2011 }}</ref>

In 2013, Hasselt cancelled free public transportation due to financial reasons. The operator increased its claim towards the city, which the city could not pay. Now persons up to the age of 19 travel for free.<ref name = "Eltis"/>

===Rail===
[[Hasselt railway station]], run by [[National Railway Company of Belgium|NMBS]], is located near the city centre, outside the innermost ring road. [[InterCity]] trains link the city to major Belgian centres such as [[Brussels]], [[Antwerp]], [[Liège]], and [[Leuven]], as well as to [[Brussels Airport]].

==== Reopening of rail line 20 Hasselt - Maastricht ====
In February 2007, a plan was launched for the construction of an international [[light rail]] connection between Hasselt and Maastricht ([[Hasselt – Maastricht tramway]]). Agreements between the relevant governments were reached in June 2008 and December 2011. The line was planned to reduce the current travel time of 61 minutes by bus to only 36 minutes. Construction should have started in 2014, with the line expected to go into service in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.delijn.be/mobiliteitsvisie2020/spartacuslimburg/waarstaanwenu/lijn1.htm |title=Sneltramlijn 1: Hasselt - Maastricht - Waar staan we nu? - Mobiliteitsvisie 2020 - de Lijn |access-date=22 February 2014 |archive-date=6 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306194221/http://www.delijn.be/mobiliteitsvisie2020/spartacuslimburg/waarstaanwenu/lijn1.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The construction eventually was delayed several times due to problems with the [[Wilhelminabrug]] in Maastricht, concerns about the profitability and the numbers of passengers making use of the planned line as well as opposition from the Hasselt city council regarding the planned route through the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NWS |first=VRT |date=2021-04-23 |title=Sneltram Hasselt-Maastricht zal tot aan station van Hasselt rijden, verzekert Vlaams minister Lydia Peeters |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2021/04/23/sneltram-hasselt-maastricht-zal-tot-aan-station-van-hasselt-rijd/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=vrtnws.be |language=nl}}</ref> The Flemish government eventually stopped the project, with various Dutch governments reporting to have spent more than €20 million without any major construction happening. The line has now been proposed to be replaced by a so-called electric ''trambus'' system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Belgium pulls the plug on cross-border tram to the Netherlands, to the dismay of the Dutch |url=https://www.railtech.com/infrastructure/2022/06/01/belgium-pulls-the-plug-on-cross-border-tram-to-the-netherlands-to-the-dismay-of-the-dutch/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=RailTech.com |date=June 2022 |language=en-GB}}</ref> However, concerns were raised too as the new alternative might not fulfill the cross-border high-quality public transport needs of the Dutch and Belgian provinces of Limburg.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Studie sneltram versus trambus zaait nog meer twijfels |url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20220607_96651517 |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=www.hbvl.be |date=8 June 2022 |language=nl-BE}}</ref> 

Since end 2024, the reopening of [[Hasselt-Maastricht railway|rail line 20]] between Hasselt and Maastricht is being reconsidered within Flanders, after the Dutch Government unveiled plans to demolish a vital railway bridge over the [[Meuse]] river in Maastricht.<ref name=":12">{{cite news | last=van Diepen|first=Timmie|title=ANALYSE. Rijdt na de tram nu ook de trambus zich vast?|url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20240313_98006961|work=Het Belang van Limburg|date=2024-03-14|language=nl|via=hbvl.be}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=van Diepen|first=Timmie|title=Politiek roert zich in strijd tegen sloop van spoorbrug in Maastricht|url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20241126_96017520|work=Het Belang van Limburg|date=2024-11-27|language=nl|via=hbvl.be}}</ref>

== Climate ==
{{Weather box
| width = auto
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| location = Hasselt(1991-2020)
| Jan high C = 6.2
| Feb high C = 7.2
| Mar high C = 11.1
| Apr high C = 15.4
| May high C = 19.2
| Jun high C = 22.0
| Jul high C = 24.1
| Aug high C = 23.8
| Sep high C = 20.1
| Oct high C = 15.3
| Nov high C = 10.1
| Dec high C = 6.6
| year high C = 
| Jan mean C = 3.6
| Feb mean C = 4.0
| Mar mean C = 6.9
| Apr mean C = 10.2
| May mean C = 14.1
| Jun mean C = 17.0
| Jul mean C = 19.1
| Aug mean C = 18.7
| Sep mean C = 15.3
| Oct mean C = 11.4
| Nov mean C = 7.1
| Dec mean C = 4.2
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C = 0.9
| Feb low C = 0.8
| Mar low C = 2.8
| Apr low C = 5.1
| May low C = 9.0
| Jun low C = 12.0
| Jul low C = 14.0
| Aug low C = 13.5
| Sep low C = 10.5
| Oct low C = 7.5
| Nov low C = 4.1
| Dec low C = 1.8
| year low C = 
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 66.9
| Feb precipitation mm = 62.1
| Mar precipitation mm = 56.6
| Apr precipitation mm = 45.3
| May precipitation mm = 60.7
| Jun precipitation mm = 74.7
| Jul precipitation mm = 75.1
| Aug precipitation mm = 90.2
| Sep precipitation mm = 64.0
| Oct precipitation mm = 64.6
| Nov precipitation mm = 67.5
| Dec precipitation mm = 81.3
| year precipitation mm = 
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| precip days colour = 
| Jan precipitation days = 12.9
| Feb precipitation days = 11.9
| Mar precipitation days = 11.6
| Apr precipitation days = 9.5
| May precipitation days = 10.3
| Jun precipitation days = 10.4
| Jul precipitation days = 10.6
| Aug precipitation days = 11.3
| Sep precipitation days = 10.2
| Oct precipitation days = 11.3
| Nov precipitation days = 12.6
| Dec precipitation days = 14.8
| year precipitation days = 
| Jan sun = 62
| Feb sun = 78
| Mar sun = 134
| Apr sun = 188
| May sun = 214
| Jun sun = 216
| Jul sun = 221
| Aug sun = 210
| Sep sun = 164
| Oct sun = 119
| Nov sun = 70
| Dec sun = 50
| year sun = 
| Jand sun = 2.0
| Febd sun = 2.8
| Mard sun = 4.3
| Aprd sun = 6.3
| Mayd sun = 6.9
| Jund sun = 7.2
| Juld sun = 7.1
| Augd sun = 6.8
| Sepd sun = 5.5
| Octd sun = 3.8
| Novd sun = 2.3
| Decd sun = 1.6
| yeard sun = 
| source = KMI<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.meteo.be/resources/climatology/climateCity/pdf/climate_INS73032_9120_nl.pdf |title=Het klimaat in uw gemeente: Hoeselt (nis 73032) |access-date=2024-01-06 |publisher=KMI |pages=2, 5 |language=Dutch }}</ref>
}}

== Education ==
[[File:Sint-Jozefscollege Hasselt 7-4-2018 14-03-26.JPG|thumb|Virga Jessecollege]]
Hasselt has two university colleges: University College PXL and University Colleges Leuven-Limburg (UCLL). These offer courses in healthcare, social work, art, commercial sciences, and teacher training, among others.

[[Hasselt University]], established in 1971, operates campuses in the city and in the neighbouring town of [[Diepenbeek]] and, as of 2023, has more than 7,000 students and 1,700 academic, administrative, and technical staff. The university houses 7 faculties, 4 research institutes, 3 research centres, and 3 doctoral schools. In the [[Times Higher Education]] ranking of the world's best universities under 50, Hasselt University is ranked 35th out of 605.<ref>[https://www.uhasselt.be/en/about-hasselt-university/facts-and-figures Facts and figures] UHasselt, accessed 15.01.2024</ref>
[[File:Campus Hasselt, Ancienne Prison..jpg|thumb|Faculty of Law at Hasselt University, based in the former city prison since 2012]]

==Sports==
Hasselt is home to [[Limburg United]], one of the Belgium's top professional [[basketball]] teams. The team plays its home games at ''Sporthal Alverberg''. The city's largest [[association football|football]] club is [[Sporting Hasselt]], which plays its home games at ''Stedelijk Sportstadion Hasselt''. The city's [[Rugby union|rugby]] club is [[RC Hasselt]].

==Notable people==
[[File:Van-Veldeke-Denkmal.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hendrik van Veldeke]]]]
[[File:DrWillems.jpg|thumb|[[Louis Willems|Doctor Louis Willems]]]]

=== Born in Hasselt ===
*[[Heinrich von Veldeke|Hendrik van Veldeke]], writer of romance, lyric, and hagiography; first vernacular writer in the Low Countries (c. 1140–c. 1190)
*[[Francis Rombouts]], Mayor of New York City from 1679 to 1680
*[[Jean-Joseph Thonissen]], professor at law and former Belgian Minister of State (1817–1891)
*[[Louis Willems]], doctor and one of the pioneers of bacteriology and immunology (1822–1907)
*[[Adrien de Gerlache]], officer of the [[Belgian Navy]] and leader of the [[Belgian Antarctic Expedition]] (1866–1934)
*[[Joannes Henricus Paulus Bellefroid]], legal scholar and professor, Flemish activist (1869 - 1959)
*[[Willy Claes]], politician and former Secretary General of [[NATO]] (b. 1938)
*[[Guy Bleus]], artist (b. 1950)
*[[Dana Winner]], singer (b. 1965)
*[[Stef Driesen]], Antwerp-based artist (b. 1966)
*[[Luc Nilis]], footballer (b. 1967)
*[[Axelle Red]], singer-songwriter (b. 1968)
*[[Regi Penxten]], artist, producer (b. 1976)
*[[Hannelore Knuts]], Actress and fashion model (b. 1977)
*[[Anthony Kumpen]], racing driver (b. 1978)
*[[Bram Castro]], footballer (b. 1982)
*[[Daniel Guijo-Velasco]], footballer (b. 1984)
*[[Brecht Evens]], Paris-based graphic novelist and illustrator (b. 1986)
*[[Matteo Simoni]] (b. 1987)
*[[Laurens Vanthoor]], racing driver (b. 1991)
* [[Casper de Norre]], footballer (b. 1997)
* [[Max Verstappen]], four-time [[Formula One World Drivers' Champion]] (b. 1997)
* [[Dries Vanthoor]], racing driver (b. 1998)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brandworks.be |title=WRT {{!}} Dries Vanthoor |url=https://w-racingteam.com/about/drivers/detail/298/dries-vanthoor |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=w-racingteam.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cornelissen |first=Marc |date=13 June 2024 |title=Dries Vanthoor het snelst in de kwalificaties voor de 24 Uur van Le Mans |url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20240613_93111492 |work=Het Belang van Limburg}}</ref>

=== Lived in Hasselt ===

* Valentinus Paquay, [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|priest]] and member of the [[Order of Friars Minor]] (1828 - 1905)
* [[Luuk Gruwez]], poet (b. 1953)
* [[Steve Stevaert]], politician (1954–2015)
* [[Charlotte Adigéry]], singer, musician (b. 1990)

==Twin and partner cities==
*{{GER}}: [[Detmold]] (since 1976)
*{{NLD}}: [[Sittard-Geleen]] (since 1980)
*{{JPN}}: [[Itami, Hyogo]] (since 1985)
*{{USA}}: [[Mountain View, California]] (since 1987)
* {{flagicon|EUR}} Hasselt is a member city of [[Eurotowns network]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurotowns.org/|title=Eurotowns – The future's city network in Europe (2019)|website=Eurotowns}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage}}

*{{Official website|http://www.hasselt.be}}

{{Geographic location
|Centre = Hasselt
|N  = [[Heusden-Zolder]], [[Zonhoven]]
|NE = [[Genk]]
|E  = [[Diepenbeek]]
|SE = [[Kortessem]]
|S  = [[Alken, Belgium|Alken]]
|SW = [[Nieuwerkerken]]
|W  = [[Herk-de-Stad]]
|NW = [[Lummen]]
}}
{{Populated places in Hasselt}}
{{Municipalities in Limburg}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hasselt| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Limburg (Belgium)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 7th century]]
[[Category:Provincial capitals of Flanders]]
[[Category:7th-century establishments in Francia]]