Mook en Middelaar

Mook en Middelaar (Dutch: [ˈmoːk ɛn ˈmɪdəlaːr] ⓘ; Limburgish: Mook en Middelar) is a municipality in the upper southeastern part of the Netherlands, at the northern tip of the province of Limburg and is a part of Stadsregio Arnhem Nijmegen. The municipality is located about 100 km from provincial capital Maastricht and has an area of 18.81 km2 (7.26 sq mi) of which 1.43 km2 (0.55 sq mi) is water.

Mook en Middelaar
Mook en Middelar
Municipality
Mook town centre across the Meuse
Mook town centre across the Meuse
Flag of Mook en Middelaar
Flag
Coat of arms of Mook en Middelaar
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Mook en Middelaar in a municipal map of Limburg
Location in Limburg
Mook en Middelaar is located in Netherlands
Mook en Middelaar
Mook en Middelaar
Coordinates: 51°45′N 5°53′E
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceLimburg
Government
[1]
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorWillem Gradisen (PvdA)
Area
[2]
 • Total18.81 km2 (7.26 sq mi)
 • Land17.38 km2 (6.71 sq mi)
 • Water1.43 km2 (0.55 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
12 m (39 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)[4]
 • Total7,909
 • Density455/km2 (1,180/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
6584–6587
Area code024
Websitemookenmiddelaar.nl
Dutch Topographic map of Mook en Middelaar, June 2015

Population centres

History

The municipality is situated in wooded rolling moraine landscape, created during the last ice age, about 160,000 years ago.

In Plasmolen the remains of a Roman villa from the 2nd century AD were found and on the banks of the Meuse are the remains of a Roman bridge. These remains are from the 4th century.

The Mookerheide ("Mook Heath"), situated on the border of Mook, saw the Battle of Mookerheyde in 1574 which was fought as part of the Eighty Years War. Spanish forces under Sancho d'Avila defeated the rebel forces of Louis of Nassau, who was killed.

The Mookerschans and Heumense schans were defenses on the Mookerheide probably from the 17th century. (At that time the Mookerheide area extended all the way to the citywalls of Nijmegen) The historical Mookerheideschans (defense work) has been restored and offers a beautiful view over the Meuse valley.

Middelaar belonged to Overkwartier (Upper Quarter) of Guelders or Upper Guelders. During the War of the Spanish Succession Middelaar was occupied by Prussian troops, and it remained German for about a century (until 1814).

In the Second World War a fierce battle raged around this area. In May 1940 the invaders were stopped by large bunkers on the Brabant-side of the Meuse, the railway bridge between Mook and Katwijk was blown up. In September 1944 Mook, Plasmolen and Middelaar were in the front area and the war caused much devastation. While under fire of German guns that were shooting from the woods near Groesbeek, allied soldiers had to secure the Heumen bridge over the Maas-Waal canal that was an important hub for operation Market Garden. Fierce fighting caused the front to move so the little village, of which most houses were shot in this period, was liberated to fall back in German hands, to be liberated again. Soldiers killed in this vicinity during World War II found their final resting place in Mook War Cemetery Most inhabitants of Mook and Middelaar sought refuge elsewhere until the liberation.

To support the cement industry, sand was dug out in the fields next to the river Maas (known as 'Cuyksesteeg') which consequently lead to the forming of the Mookerplassen recreational lakes, between Middelaar and the Mookerheide. After a couple of floodings in the 80s and 90s a removable lock was built to save the area from flooding again.

Public transport

Mook and the municipality is served by three bus lines and has its own train station, Mook-Molenhoek railway station.

Notable residents
  • Mook, former town hall
    Mook, former town hall
  • Mook, church
    Mook, church
  • Mookerplas
    Mookerplas
  • Middelaar, church
    Middelaar, church
  • Molenhoek-stationsstraat
    Molenhoek-stationsstraat
  • Mookerheide near Mook
    Mookerheide near Mook
  • Molenhoek church, Mook en Middelaar
    Molenhoek church, Mook en Middelaar
  • Mookerheide
    Mookerheide

References
  1. "College van burgemeester en wethouders" [Board of mayor and aldermen] (in Dutch). Gemeente Mook en Middelaar. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 11 November 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 6585AP". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  4. "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
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