gemeente (commune), Limburg provincie, southeastern Netherlands, bounded on the west by the Maas (Meuse) River. It is known for the Passion play performed there every few years (May to September). Situated near Venlo in a market-gardening area, Tegelen, as the name implies (tegel meaning “tile”), manufactures tiles and pottery; it also has an iron foundry and quarries. Pop. (1981 est.) 17,967.