Zelhem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zelhem is a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It has approximately 11.000 inhabitants. Zelhem is located in the municipality of Bronckhorst, about 7 km northeast of Doetinchem.
Zelhem was a separate municipality until 2005, when it became a part of Bronckhorst.[1] The municipality used to cover an area of 81.89 km².
Contents |
[edit] A little history
The village is more than 1200 years old. The modern name Zelhem originated from Salehem. This name was given to the village when a chapel was build and a gift-document was presented to the habitants.
The name Salehem exests of 2 words 'Sale' which means 'house' and 'heim' which means 'place where people are home'.
The founder of this chapel was a passionate preacher called Liudger. He brought religion to the land of the Saksen. Between 1450 and 1500 the church as we know it was build. It was dedicated to St. Lambertus bisshop of Maastricht in the time of Ludger (hence the name 'Lambertikerk').
[edit] The myth of Smoks Hanne
The village also has a myth of 'Smokshanne'. She lived in Zelhem somewhere in the 19th century. Nowadays she's pictured as a good witch flying on a broom. The funny part is that Smokshanne only has one clog (on her left foot) and the broom she's flying on is backwards. It is assumed that Smokshanne lost her clog during flight. Unfortunately there's not much information about this old lady. But when the village celebrated it's 1200th anneversary, the theme was all about her.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
 |
This Gelderland location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
