a town of Belgium, province of South Brabant, stands on the Thienne, 17 miles S. of Brussels. It is not very well built, but has two large squares and a fine public walk. There are 3 churches; one of which, that of St Gertrude, is a fine edifice in the Romanesque style, built in 1048. It contains two finely carved pulpits, one of wood and the other of marble; and has two towers, the lower of which contains a chime of bells, on which the hours are struck by a colossal figure called Jean de Nivelles. The crypt is considered one of the finest in Belgium, and is much resorted to by pilgrims. Nivelles has also a convent, a college, normal school, academy of design and architecture, hospital, court of primary jurisdiction, &c. Manufactures of linen, woollen, and cotton stuffs, hats, lace, paper, oil, tobacco, and other articles are carried on here; and there is a considerable trade in corn, cattle, and swine. The town owes its origin to an abbey founded in 645 by St Gertrude, some cloisters of which still remain. It is said to have been much more populous in the sixteenth century. Pop. 8,499.