Rijnsburg

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Rijnsburg
The river Vliet flowing through Rijnsburg's old village centre
Rijnsburg
Location in the Netherlands
Coordinates: 52°11′N 4°26′E / 52.183°N 4.433°E / 52.183; 4.433Coordinates: 52°11′N 4°26′E / 52.183°N 4.433°E / 52.183; 4.433
Country Netherlands
Province South Holland
Municipality Katwijk
Population (2006) 14.850[1]
Location of former municipality Rijnsburg.

Rijnsburg (population: 14,941 in 2004) is a community in the eastern part of the town of Katwijk, in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The name means Rhine's Burg in Dutch.

History

The history starts way before the 6th century when a town called ‘Rothulfuashem’ (Rudolfsheim). Later about 900 there was a stronghold, which could explain the current name of the village Rijnsburg, which means 'Rhine fortress'

Rijnsburg used to be a separated municipality until 1 January 2006, when, together with Valkenburg, it was added to the municipality and city of Katwijk. Before that, the municipality covered an area of 6.07 km2 (2.34 sq mi) of which 0.21 km2 (0.081 sq mi) is water, and had a population of 14851 inhabitants on 1 June 2005.

Rijnsburg's main claim to fame is that the philosopher Spinoza lived there from 1661 to 1663. The modest house in which he lived is still preserved, and can be visited.

Rijnsburg is located in an area called the "Dune and Bulb district" (Duin- en Bollenstreek).

An Abbey (a convent) was established by Petronilla of Lorraine, consort of Floris II, Count of Holland, in 1133. It flourished for many years. Two of her granddaughters, Sophie and Hedwig, would later join this abbey, one of them as abbess.

  • Rijnsburg, drawbridge and modern blocks

  • Rijnsburg, church

Burials at Rijnsburg Abbey

References

  1. ↑ CBS, 2006
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