title: Nieuwerkerken
text: # Nieuwerkerken
  
  Nieuwerkerken (Dutch pronunciation:; Limburgish: Noërekirke) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg near Hasselt. On January 1, 2006, Nieuwerkerken had a total population of 6,606. The total area is 22.46 km² which gives a population density of 294 inhabitants per km². It consists of 4 villages: Binderveld, Wijer, Kozen and Nieuwerkerken. The current mayor is Dries Deferm (CD&V - Christian Democrats).
  
  The municipality consists of the following sub-municipalities: Binderveld, Kozen, Nieuwerkerken proper, and Wijer.
  
  The village of Wijer was the location for the first series of the television show De Werf (VTM).
  
  ## Attractions
  
  Main monuments:
  
  * St Peter's Church (1910)
  * Castle (farm) of Nieuwerkerken (1648)
  * Castle Schelfstad Heath (18th century)
  * Heath Schelfstad Mining (18th century)
  