Editing Zutendaal (section)

== History ==
While the oldest settlements such as Papendaal, Zutendaal, Broek, Stalken and Roelen arose at the respective creek springs, Wiemesmeer, Gewaai and Besmer were founded much later, on the [[Campine|Kempen plateau]]. The Borough of Besmer was transferred from Lanaken to Zutendaal in the 19th century.

The first church is said to have been founded as early as the 7th century from the Abbey of Munsterbilzen. In 1304, the patronage right was transferred by Count Arnold V of Loon to the [[Averbode Abbey|Abbey of Averbode]]. South of the church, around the town square the ''Vijverplein'', some remnants of the former village center remain.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, there were many problems with itinerant army bands. In 1598, the church of Zutendaal was set on fire and also later the population had to resort to entrenchments to get to safety from these army bands. In 1790, a battle took place on the hill the Hesselsberg between the Liège revolutionaries and the troops of the [[Electoral Palatinate|Elector of Pfaltz]], who supported the [[Prince-Bishopric of Liège|Prince-Bishop of Liège]].

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, the heath was afforested for the production of mining wood. In 1938, on the local road Heiwijkerweg, the [[FN Herstal|FN explosives factory]] was established. In 1944 the Americans built the [[Zutendaal Air Base]]. On January 1, 1945 [[Operation Bodenplatte]] raged here, which was lost by the Germans. From 1953 a NATO reserve base established itself at the air base.