| Arcen | |
|---|---|
| — Dorp — | |
| Gemeentehuis arcen.JPG | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | Limburg |
| Municipality | Venlo |
| Population (2007) | 2,230 |
Arcen (Ârce in Limburgs) is a village in the Dutch province of Limburg. In 2010, it became part of the municipality of Venlo. Previously, it had been part of the municipality of Arcen en Velden and the seat of 'het gemeentehuis' (Town Hall). Gemeente Arcen en Velden
In 2001, Arcen had 1884 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 0.39 km2, and contained 747 residences.[1]
Arcen has 'Kasteeltuinen' (castle gardens). Its location on the river Maas makes it a popular tourist attraction. It is wedged in between Germany in the east and the river Maas in the west. It has a countryside and National Park de Hamert lies just north of Arcen. Historic buildings include the 'Schanstoren' (Schans Tower) and the castle as well as century old houses in the village itself. The town hall is of a modern 20th century design by A.J. Kropholler http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.J._Kropholler and so is the church. There's a Hertog Jan beer brewery http://www.hertogjan.nl and a distillery 'de IJsvogel' http://www.ijsvogel.com located in a historic water mill that produces local jenever (gin) and bitters and liquors.
Arcen is well-known for its man-made structure the 'Fossa Eugeniana' http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossa_Eugeniana built for the Eighty Years' War, (1568–1648) to connect the rivers Rhine and Maas. The 80 years' war of independence from Spain led to the separation of the northern and southern Netherlands and to the formation of the United Provinces of the Netherlands (the Dutch Republic).
It has a thermal bath http://www.thermaalbad.nl and various holiday parks.
It is the birthplace of former Dutch soccer international Stan Valckx.