Biggekerke

Biggekerke is a village in the Dutch province of Zeeland. It is a part of the municipality of Veere, and lies about 6 km northwest of Vlissingen.

Biggekerke
Village
Street view
Street view
Coat of arms of Biggekerke
Coat of arms
Biggekerke is located in Zeeland
Biggekerke
Biggekerke
Location in the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands
Biggekerke is located in Netherlands
Biggekerke
Biggekerke
Biggekerke (Netherlands)
Coordinates: 51°29′54″N 3°31′31″E
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceZeeland
MunicipalityVeere
Area
[1]
 • Total21.34 km2 (8.24 sq mi)
Elevation
[2]
2.9 m (9.5 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total1,550
 • Density73/km2 (190/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
4521[1]
Dialing code0115

History

The village was first mentioned in 1231 as Bigghenkerka, and means "(private) church of Biggo (person)".[3] Biggekerke is a circular church village.[4] It used to be a heerlijkheid and had a castle. The castle was destroyed in 1433 by Middelburg as ordered by Philip the Good.[5]

The Dutch Reformed church is a single aisled church. The tower dates from around 1400. The nave was probably constructed in the 17th century.[4] The grist mill Brassers Molen was built in 1712 by the city of Vlissingen and leased for seven year periods. The wind mill has remained in service throughout its existence, but was restored multiple time.[6]

Biggekerke was home to 467 people in 1840.[5] In 1943, the Widerstandsnest Carmen was built in the dunes near Biggekerke as part of the Atlantic Wall. It was captured by the Allies in 1944. The village was bombarded on 17 September 1944 which resulted in the death of 45 citizens.[4]

Biggekerke used to a separate municipality until 1966 when it was merged into Valkenisse. In 1997, it became part of Veere.[5]

  • Dutch Reformed church
    Dutch Reformed church
  • Houses in Biggekerke
    Houses in Biggekerke
  • Wind mill Brassers Molen
    Wind mill Brassers Molen
  • Country house (early 20th century)
    Country house (early 20th century)

References
  1. "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  2. "Postcodetool for 4521AA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  3. "Biggekerke - (geografische naam)". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  4. Piet van Cruyningen & Ronald Stenvert (2003). Biggekerke (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders. ISBN 90 400 8830 6. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  5. "Biggekerke". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  6. "Brassers Molen". Molendatabase (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 April 2022.
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