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Gorinchem

Coordinates: 51°49′50″N 4°58′27″E / 51.830556°N 4.974167°E / 51.830556; 4.974167
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Gorinchem
Municipality
Lingehaven in Gorinchem
Lingehaven in Gorinchem
Flag of Gorinchem
Flag
Coat of arms of Gorinchem
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Gorinchem in a municipal map of South Holland
Location in South Holland
Coordinates: 51°49′50″N 4°58′27″E / 51.830556°N 4.974167°E / 51.830556; 4.974167
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceSouth Holland
Government
[1]
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorReinie Melissant-Briene (CDA)
Area
[2]
 • Total21.93 km2 (8.47 sq mi)
 • Land18.83 km2 (7.27 sq mi)
 • Water3.10 km2 (1.20 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
2 m (7 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)[4]
 • Total37,410
 • Density1,987/km2 (5,150/sq mi)
DemonymGorkumer
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
4200–4208
Area code0183
Websitewww.gorinchem.nl Edit this at Wikidata
Map of Gorinchem (town), Sept. 2014

Gorinchem (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɣɔrkʏm] ⓘ or [ˈɣɔrkəm]), also spelled Gorkum, is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covers an area of 21.93 km2 (8.47 sq mi) of which 3.10 km2 (1.20 sq mi) is water. It had a population of 37,410 in 2021.

The municipality of Gorinchem also includes the population centre of Dalem.

History

[edit]
Dalem Gate

It is generally assumed that Gorinchem was founded c. 1000 AD by fishermen and farmers on the raised land near the mouth of the river Linge at the Merwede. Goriks Heem ("Home of Gorik" in early Middle Dutch) is first mentioned in a document from 1224 in which Floris IV granted people from Gorinchem exemption of toll payments throughout Holland.

Somewhere between 1247 and 1267, Gorinchem became property of the Lords of Arkel. At the end of the 13th century earthen mounds reinforced with palisades were built around the settlement to protect it from domination by the neighboring counties of Holland and Gelre. Half a century later real city walls were built complete with 7 gates and 23 watchtowers. Otto van Arkel granted it city rights on 11 November 1322.

Jan van Arkel had a dispute with Albert I, brother of Willem V of Holland, leading to war and subsequently to the annexation of Gorinchem to Holland in 1417. This resulted in increased trade and Gorinchem grew to be the eighth city of Holland.

Charles the Bold constructed the Blue Tower palace in Gorinchem in 1461. This castle was already demolished in 1578.

On 9 July 1572, the Watergeuzen (Dutch rebels against Spanish rule) conquered the city and captured 19 Catholic priests and monks. Because they refused to renounce their faith, these priests and monks were brought to Brielle where they were hanged and were from then on known among Catholics as the Martyrs of Gorkum.

The Martyrs of Gorkum were canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867.[5] Their martyrdom is commemorated annually in Gorinchem and has become an integral part of the city’s religious and cultural identity.[6] As victims of religious persecution during the Eighty Years' War, their story symbolizes the broader conflict between Catholicism and Protestantism in the region. The martyrs hold a notable place in Dutch religious history, and their legacy continues to resonate with Catholics around the world.

By the 16th century, the city walls had deteriorated and were replaced with new fortifications and eleven bastions that are still almost completely intact. The new walls were completed in 1609 and were located further from the town centre, making the city twice as large. In 1673, Gorinchem became part of the old Dutch Water Line.

The city walls had four city gates: the Arkel Gate in the north, the Dalem Gate in the east, the Water Gate in the south (where the ferry to Woudrichem was), and the Kansel Gate in the west. Of these four gates, only the Dalem Gate remains. The others were removed in the 19th century to make way for vehicular traffic. A portion of the Water Gate was preserved in the gardens of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Map of Gorinchem of 1869.

In the 18th century, the economy went into decline. After the French domination, the retreating French troops established themselves in the bastion fortress of Gorinchem. After a three-month siege they capitulated but the city was heavily damaged.

During the Industrial Revolution, Gorinchem recovered. Increased shipping led to new canals being dug and a railway connection to the city. Its population quickly increased, filling the inner city, and new neighbourhoods had to be built outside the city walls.

At the beginning of the 20th century, expansion took place in the Lingewijk and West neighbourhoods. After World War II, expansion started in the north-western portion of the municipality which was completed in the 1970s. This was followed by development of the neighbourhoods Wijdschild and Laag Dalem east of the city center. In 1986, the town Dalem was added to the municipality.

In August 2021 ANWB named Gorinchem the most beautiful star fort in the Netherlands.

Demographics

[edit]

Gorinchem had 37,456 inhabitants on 1 January 2021.

Politics

[edit]

The current mayor of Gorinchem is Reinie Melissant-Briene of the CDA. In 2023 a new municipal executive was agreed, consisting of the City Interest, VVD, CU-SGP, Gorcum Active and SP.[7]

The municipal council of Gorinchem has 25 members, which are directly elected. The composition of the council at the 2022 Dutch municipal elections is shown in the table below.[8]

Party Role Seats
  City Interest Executive 5          
  Democrats Gorinchem Opposition 4          
  PvdA Opposition 3      
  VVD Executive 3      
  SP Executive 2    
  CDA Opposition 2    
  CU-SGP Executive 2    
  D66 Opposition 2    
  Gorcum Active Executive 2    

Transport

[edit]

The city is crossed by two motorways; the A15 on the northside, and the A27 on the westside.

The city also has a railway station: Gorinchem.

Notable people

[edit]
Martyrs de Gorkum

Public service

[edit]
Abraham Bloemaert
Ida Gerhardt, 1968

The arts

[edit]

Science & business

[edit]

Sport

[edit]

International relations

[edit]

Gorinchem is twinned with

[edit]
  • Gorinchem, church: de Grote Kerk
    Gorinchem, church: de Grote Kerk
  • Gorinchem
    Gorinchem
  • Gorinchem, historic building
    Gorinchem, historic building
  • Gorinchem, windmill
    Gorinchem, windmill
  • between Gorinchem and Arkel, bridge: de Haarbrug
    between Gorinchem and Arkel, bridge: de Haarbrug

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Burgemeester en wethouders" [Mayor and aldermen] (in Dutch). Gemeente Gorinchem. Archived from the original on 14 August 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  2. ^ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2020" [Key figures for neighbourhoods 2020]. StatLine (in Dutch). CBS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Postcodetool for 4205AZ". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  4. ^ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  5. ^ Parker, Geoffrey (2003). The Dutch Revolt: The Rise of the Netherlands and the Decline of Spain. HarperCollins (published 2002). ISBN 0141391324.
  6. ^ Blok, P.J. (1900). History of the Martyrs of Gorkum. Historical Society.
  7. ^ "Coalitieakkoord en collegeprogramma 2022-2026". gorinchem.nl (in Dutch). March 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Gorinchem municipal election 2022". verkiezingsuitslagen.nl (in Dutch). 16 March 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Erpenius, Thomas" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 09 (11th ed.). 1911.
  10. ^ "Camphuysen, Dirk Rafelsz" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 05 (11th ed.). 1911.
  11. ^ "Bloemaert, Abraham" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 04 (11th ed.). 1911.
  12. ^ "Neer, van der" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 19 (11th ed.). 1911.
  13. ^ Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1886). "Boate, Gerard" . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 05. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
  14. ^ Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1886). "Boate, Arnold" . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 05. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Gorinchem.
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