Herstal
Herstal is a
municipality located in the
Belgian province of
Liège. On
January 1,
2006 Herstal had a total population of 37,319. The total area is 23.54
km² which gives a
population density of 1,585 inhabitants per km².Herstal is included in the area of the "big
Liège".
A large armaments factory provides employment locally.
Héristal, the ancient name of the city, was a fortified stronghold which gave its name to the founder of the family that established the
Carolingian dynasty.
Pépin, lord of Héristal,
Mayor of the Palace under
Theuderic III, was the father of
Charles Martel, victor of the decisive
Battle of Tours that stopped the Arab-Muslim advance into northwestern Europe. Charles was the grandfather of
Charlemagne, also supposely born in Herstal.
The town was then incorporated into the duchy of
Lower Lotharingia. In
1546, it was reunited with the domain of the
Bishopric of Liège.
