Lisse

Lisse (Dutch: [ˈlɪsə] ⓘ) is a town and municipality in the province of South Holland in the Western Netherlands. The municipality, which lies within the Duin- en Bollenstreek, covers an area of 16.05 km2 (6.20 sq mi) of which 0.36 km2 (0.14 sq mi) is water. Its population was 22,982 in 2021. Located within the municipal boundary is also the community De Engel.

Lisse
Municipality
Heereweg through Lisse
Heereweg through Lisse
Flag of Lisse
Flag
Coat of arms of Lisse
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Lisse in a municipal map of South Holland
Location in South Holland
Coordinates: 52°15′N 4°33′E
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceSouth Holland
Government
[1]
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorLies Spruit (PvdA)
Area
[2]
 • Total16.05 km2 (6.20 sq mi)
 • Land15.69 km2 (6.06 sq mi)
 • Water0.36 km2 (0.14 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
1 m (3 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)[4]
 • Total22,982
 • Density1,465/km2 (3,790/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Lissenaar, Lissenees or Lisser
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
2160–2163
Area code0252
Websitewww.lisse.nl

History

Early history
Topographic map of Lisse, 2015

The history of Lisse is closely related and similar to the neighboring towns of Hillegom and Sassenheim. Based on a document from 1198 which makes official mention of the town's name, Lisse celebrated its 800-year anniversary in 1998, although there is an indication that there was already a settlement there in the 10th century.

In the Middle Ages, Lisse was a small settlement; there were only 50 houses in 1500. Because of prolonged warfare (particularly the wars of Charles the Bold and the Eighty Years' War), poverty was prevalent. Its population lived from agriculture, animal husbandry and peat harvesting.

Recent history

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Lisse was, like Hillegom, home to many estates of rich merchants and nobility. The forests and gardens of Keukenhof, Meerenburg, Wildlust, Zandvliet, Overduin en Akervoorde, Wassergeest, Grotenhof, Ter Specke, Dubbelhoven, Rosendaal, Veenenburg en Berkhout, Middelburg, Ter Beek and Uytermeer estates all added to the town's beauty and glory.

Yet in the following centuries, every one of these estates (except Keukenhof) was removed to make way for the cultivation of bulb flowers. The sandy soil in Lisse's surroundings were highly suitable for its growth provided the soil was fertilised. The nearby dunes were excavated and forests cut down progressively over time for more fields for the flower business. This brought employment and prosperity to this area.

Lisse town centre

Floriculture centre

In the 20th century, the bulb flower business continued to boom, resulting in the establishment of auction and trading houses, large-scale cultivators and cooperatives. Today, Lisse exports bulbflowers in large quantities to over a hundred countries worldwide.

Located at the centre of the "Dune and Bulb Region" (Duin- en Bollenstreek), Holland's flower-growing region, Lisse is also a major tourist attraction. During the spring when the fields around Lisse are in a colourful bloom, hundreds of thousands of local and foreign tourists visit the area. The only remaining estate that was not removed for flower cultivation (Keukenhof) became world-famous for its flower displays.

Tourism and attractions

The most popular attraction in Lisse is Keukenhof, open only during spring when the tulips are flowering. Also each spring a flower parade called the Bollenstreek Bloemencorso is held through the main streets of Lisse. In August the fantasy festival Castlefest is held in the gardens of Castle Keukenhof.

Other places of interest are the museums:

  • Huys Dever, a restored castle tower from the 14th century
  • Castle Keukenhof, part of the Keukenhof estate but open year-round
  • Museum De Zwarte Tulp (Black Tulip Museum), exhibiting the history of the Dutch bulb-growing region
  • Sint-Agathakerk
    Sint-Agathakerk
  • A field of tulips in Lisse
    A field of tulips in Lisse
  • Windmill in Lisse
    Windmill in Lisse
  • Castle Keukenhof
    Castle Keukenhof

Sports

Lisse is the home of FC Lisse, a football team currently playing in the Zaterdag Topklasse. On 3 May 2008 FC Lisse sealed the championship of the 2007/2008 season in the Hoofdklasse A.

Notable people born in Lisse
Jenny Arean, 1972
Harry Mens, 2018

References
  1. "Mw. A.W.M. (Lies) Spruit" (in Dutch). Gemeente Lisse. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 12 August 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 2161BS". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  4. "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  5. IMDb Database retrieved 28 January 2020
  6. IMDb Database retrieved 28 January 2020
  7. IMDb Database retrieved 28 January 2020
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