Raeren’s history
Already during the Mesolithic era, around 6000 to 5000 B.C., people settled in the area of what is today the community of Raeren, The remains of a Roman villa and of iron smelting of the 2nd century have been found here. The village of Eynatten is first mentioned in 1213, belonging to the court of Walhorn of Limburg. Raeren and Neudorf were probably founded between 800 and 1200, along the Öslinger Weg, which connected Aachen and Trier.1430 to 1411, this area was allocated to the duke of Burgundy, 1477 to Habsburg, and 1555 to Spain.
The 16th and 17th century were the heyday of pottery (Raeren and Eynatten). After the Spanish heritage wars, Brabant and Limburg fell to the Austrian Habsburger in 1713.
As of 1794, under French dominion, Raeren was part of the Département de l'Ourthe.
During the Vienna Congress of 1815, Raeren is allocated to the Rhine province of the kingdom of Prussia.
In 1920, the Contract of Versailles allocates Raeren to Belgium.
From 1940 to 1945, the canton of Eupen, including Raeren, is annexed by Germany but is returned to Belgium after 1945.
