Hijken

Hijken is a village in the Dutch province of Drenthe. It is a part of the municipality of Midden-Drenthe, and lies about 13 km south of Assen, the province capital of Drenthe.

Hijken
A farm in Hijken
A farm in Hijken
The village centre (dark green) and the statistical district (light green) of Hijken in the municipality of Midden-Drenthe.
The village centre (dark green) and the statistical district (light green) of Hijken in the municipality of Midden-Drenthe.
Hijken is located in Drenthe
Hijken
Hijken
Location in the Netherlands
Hijken is located in Netherlands
Hijken
Hijken
Hijken (Netherlands)
Coordinates: 52.8956°N 6.4967°E / 52.8956; 6.4967
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceDrenthe
MunicipalityMidden-Drenthe
Area
  Total28.12 km2 (10.86 sq mi)
Elevation14 m (46 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
  Total930
  Density33/km2 (86/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
9415 & 9416[1]
Dialing code0593

History

The village was first mentioned in 1370 as "civibus de Hyken". The etymology is unknown.[3] Hijken developed as an esdorp originally without a church in the Early Middle Ages as a satellite of Beilen. In 1858, the Oranjekanaal was dug which cut the village into two halves.[4] It used be a village of shepherds. In 1563, there were 70 sheep for every building.[5]

Hijken was home to 417 people in 1840.[5] In 1906, a Reformed Church was built. In 1915, a steam dairy factory which doubled as grist mill was built. Between 1928 and 1960, it was used as a Dutch Reformed church and is nowadays used by a fodder and fertilizer company.[4] In 2018, the municipality wanted to demolished the bridge over the canal, however protests have resulted in the construction of a new bridge in 2019.[5]

The village is also known for its surrounding Neanderthal settlements. Late Neolithic Hat graves have been discovered dating to a Bronze Age settlement near Hijken.[6]

Sheep in Hijken on a street with appropriate warning sign

Education

There is one primary school, ‘t Hieker Nust.[7]

References

  1. "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 11 April 2022. two entries
  2. "Postcodetool for 9415PA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  3. "Hijken - (geografische naam)". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  4. Ronald Stenvert (2001). Hijken (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders. p. 61. ISBN 90 400 9454 3. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  5. "Hijken". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  6. Leiden University, Fokkens, Harry. The prehistory of the Netherlands.
  7. "Scholen" (in Dutch). Midden-Drenthe. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
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