Monnickendam

Monnickendam (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌmɔnɪkənˈdɑm]) is a city in the Dutch province of North Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Waterland, and lies on the coast of the Markermeer, about 8 km (5.0 mi) southeast of Purmerend. It received city rights in 1355 and was damaged by the fires of 1500 and 1513.

Monnickendam
Monnickendam in 2010
Monnickendam in 2010
Flag of Monnickendam
Coat of arms of Monnickendam
The town centre (dark green) and the statistical district (light green) of Monnickendam in the municipality of Waterland
The town centre (dark green) and the statistical district (light green) of Monnickendam in the municipality of Waterland
Coordinates: 52°28′N 5°2′E
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceNorth Holland
MunicipalityWaterland
Area
 (2012)[1]
  Total1,536 ha (3,796 acres)
  Land1,464 ha (3,618 acres)
  Water72 ha (178 acres)
Population
 (2012)[1]
  Total9,915
  Density650/km2 (1,700/sq mi)
Postal code
1140–1141[2]
Area code0299[3]

History

Joan Blaeu's map of Monnickendam, developed in 1649

Monnikendam was also the name of a number of warships built at the port of the same name during the Anglo-Dutch Wars.

The town was founded by monks,[4] the name Monnickendam translates as 'Monk's dam'.

Monnickendam was a separate municipality until 1991, when it was merged into Waterland.[5] Although it is a small fishing village today, it was an important port in earlier centuries. It possesses a seventeenth-century weigh house, once used by merchants and port officials, and a bell tower that dates from 1591. The fourteenth century church of St. Nicholas, renovated in 1602, is particularly notable. The synagogue was built in 1894.[6] Jewish families named Monnikendam trace their roots to this town.

The town was the site of an artist's colony in the early twentieth century.

Economy

Monnickendam hosts a number of industries, many related to its history and proximity to the Markermeer. Notably, the city is home to the Royal Hakvoort Shipyards that has operated for over a century, first catering to the local fishing industry by building vessels for their purpose, and later moving into luxury and pleasure crafts.[7]

Other notable organisations include Leguit + Roos, specialising in the renovation and restoration of historical buildings that are plenty in the Waterland area.[8]

In recent developments, the derelict business quarter of Galgeriet was demolished in order to make space for the development of new residential buildings. The Dutch government has subsidised this development with € 6,420,240, with the hope of creating 700 homes as well as additional commercial spaces to both alleviate the ailing demography and provide an impetus for further economic growth.[9]

Demographics

In 2001, the town of Monnickendam had 9,546 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 1.34 km2 (0.52 sq mi), and contained 3,766 residences.[10] The wider statistical area of Monnickendam has a population of around 9,680.[11]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. (in Dutch) Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2009-2012, Statline, Statistics Netherlands, 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  2. (in Dutch) Zoekresultaten, Postcode.nl. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  3. (in Dutch) Netnummer zoeken, Telefoonboek.nl. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  4. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: The Netherlands: The Netherlands. DK Publishing. 1 August 2011. p. 174. ISBN 978-0-7566-8476-1.
  5. Ad van der Meer and Onno Boonstra, Repertorium van Nederlandse gemeenten, KNAW, 2011.
  6. Synagogues of Europe: Architecture, History, Meaning, by Carol Herselle Krinsky - 1996 ,p. 68
  7. "Royal Hakvoort Homepage". Royal Hakvoort. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  8. "Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations honors subsidy application for the Municipality of Waterland for the Galgeriet project". Gemeente Waterland. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  9. "Leguit + Roos Homepage". Leguit + Roos. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  10. Statistics Netherlands (CBS), Bevolkingskernen in Nederland 2001 . Statistics are for the continuous built-up area.
  11. Statistics Netherlands (CBS), Gemeente Op Maat 2004: Waterland .
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