Harderwijk

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Harderwijk is also a village in the Dutch municipality of Opmeer.
Harderwijk
Location of Harderwijk
Country Netherlands
Province Gelderland
Area (2006)
 - Total 48.27 km² (18.6 sq mi)
 - Land 38.46 km² (14.8 sq mi)
 - Water 9.81 km² (3.8 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2007)
 - Total 42,057
 - Density 1,094/km² (2,833.4/sq mi)
  Source: CBS, Statline.
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 - Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)

Image:Ltspkr.pngHarderwijk is a municipality and a small city in the eastern Netherlands.

The grote kerk (Dutch for "large church") in Harderwijk
The grote kerk (Dutch for "large church") in Harderwijk

Contents

[edit] Population centres

  • Harderwijk
  • Hierden

[edit] The history of Harderwijk

Harderwijk received city rights from Count Otto II of Guelders in 1231.[1] A defensive wall surrounding the city was completed by the end of that century. The oldest part of the city is near where the streets Hoogstraat and Grote Poortstraat are today. Around 1315 the city was expanded southwards, which included the construction of what is now called the Grote Kerk (Large Church). A second, northward expansion took place around 1425. Particularly along the west side of town much of the wall still exists, although often not in entirely original form. This also goes for the only remaining city gate, the picturesque Vischpoort.

Harderwijk was a member of the Hanseatic League. It lies on what used to be the Zuider Zee shore (Southern Sea, now the IJsselmeer) and consequently its economy was strongly based on fishing and seafaring in general. This dramatically changed after 1932, when the Zuiderzee was cut off from the North Sea for safety reasons.

Between 1648 and 1811 the University of Harderwijk operated in the city. Carolus Linnaeus graduated at this university. The university, together with the universities of Zutphen and Franeker was abolished by Napoleon.

Today, Harderwijk is probably known best for the Dolfinarium, a marine mammal park where dolphin shows are held and various other marine mammals and fish are kept.

[edit] History

Harderwijk was formerly located on the Zuiderzee and was an important fishing port. There were markets where the whole region would come to buy fish etc. There are very few fishing boats in the harbour these days, which is largely visited by yachts and tourist boats. Pne annual event illustrating how important the fishing industry was to Harderwijk is Aaltjesdag, which means Eel day. On this day some people wear traditional garment and sing traditional Dutch sea shanties. This garment usually comprises blue sweaters for the men and somewhat Volendam-like dresses for the women. However, this is becoming increasingly rare every year. You can buy fish at stands and restaurants on the boulevard throughout the year except for the winter months. Tourists are common customers, while local people no longer make their living from the fisheries. The sale of fish on these tourist areas of the town therefore gives a wrong impression of the local population.

[edit] Veluwe

Harderwijk is on the western boundary of the Veluwe region and the southeastern half of the municipality consists largely of forests.

[edit] Born in Harderwijk

[edit] References

  1. ^ Stenvert, R. et al. (2000). Monumenten in Nederland: Gelderland, p. 50 and 183–188. Zwolle: Waanders Uitgevers. ISBN 90-400-9406-3

[edit] External links

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Municipalities of Gelderland
Netherlands · Provinces · Municipalities
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