Zundert
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Zundert | |
 |
|
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | North Brabant |
| Area (2006) | |
| - Total | 120.75 km² (46.6 sq mi) |
| - Land | 120.38 km² (46.5 sq mi) |
| - Water | 0.37 km² (0.1 sq mi) |
| Population (1 January 2007) | |
| - Total | 20,831 |
| - Density | 173/km² (448.1/sq mi) |
| Source: CBS, Statline. | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Website: www.zundert.nl | |
Zundert (pronunciation ) is a municipality and a town in Noord Brabant, the Netherlands.
Zundert lies about 10 metres above Dutch sea level (NAP), and is located 15 km south-west of the city of Breda, and 35 km north-east of Antwerp, Belgium. Zundert is surrounded by the municipalities Etten-Leur and Breda on the north, Hoogstraten (Belgium) on the east, Wuustwezel (Belgium) on the south, Kalmthout (Belgium) on the southwest, and Essen (Belgium) and Rucphen on the west.
Contents |
[edit] Population centres
- Zundert (population: 7,520)
- Rijsbergen (6,210)
- Klein-Zundert (2,850)
- Wernhout (2,570)
- Achtmaal (1,680)
[edit] The municipality
Zundert is one of the most agricultural municipalities of the Netherlands. 10% of all nursery pruduction of the Netherlands around Zundert. Production of strawberries and young field grown trees and hedging plants are very important in the area.
After the municipal redivision in 1997, Zundert was expanded with the former municipality of Rijsbergen.
Zundert, Achtmaal, Klein Zundert, Wernhout and Rijsbergen were all liberated on October 25, 1944 by the 415th regiment of the American 104th Infantry Division, "the Timberwolf Division".
[edit] Vincent van Gogh
Zundert is the birthplace and childhood home of the famous painter Vincent van Gogh. He was born on 30th March 1853 in a little house on Zunderts main street, "Markt 29". The former house is gone as it was too dilapidated to preserve, but a plaque at this location still commemorates his birth. In may 2007 the renovation of the house at Markt 29, and the neighbouring house, started. After the renovation a museum and gallery dedicated to Vincent's life will open in 2008. There is a statue made by the French artist Ossip Zadkine of Vincent and his brother Theo on the "Vincent van Gogh Plein" (Vincent van Gogh square), and people can still visit the Dutch Reformed church build in 1806 in which the father of Vincent, Theodorus van Gogh, started preaching in 1849. In the graveyard is the grave of Vincent's one year older brother, who died soon in infancy - also called Vincent van Gogh. Vincent did not paint when he lived in Zundert, but drew some sketches. In letters to his Brother Theo, Vincent recalls Zundert, and its surroundings a few times when writing about childhood, serenity and learning about life.
[edit] Town
At a small distance from the town, an old tavern called "In Den Anker" can be found, which has the oldest license in the Netherlands. It originally dates from 1635, but was rebuilt in 1913.
The town is the home of an 17th century windmill, called 'De Akkermolen' (The Croftmill). The Catholic church of Zundert was build in 1927, and contains art treasures from the 17th century, coming from the St. Michielsabdij in Antwerp.
The town hall of Zundert was built in 1830 in neoclassical style and demolished and rebuilt in the same style in 1965
[edit] Events
Zundert boasts the oldest (since 1936) and hugeley elaborate flower parade in Europe, held on first Sunday in September. Depending on the weather, about 50.000 people attend. Huge lorry mounted sculptures covered in thousands of dahlia flowers parade through the town. Each district of Zundert constructs their own entry. For more information go to www.bloemencorsozundert.nl
There is also an annual international triathlon in Zundert, today called 'De Bode Triathlon', named after its biggest sponsor. The 2006 edition of this triathlon however couldn't go on, because problems with the quality of the swimming water.
[edit] Gallery
 Church (van Gogh's church) |
 Gravestone of Vincent van Gogh |
 City Hall |
[edit] External links
- Official Website
- Web-portal of the municipality of Zundert
- The liberation of Achtmaal
- Official site of the flower parade
|
|||||||||||
