Gorinchem | |
|---|---|
 Lingehaven in Gorinchem | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
.svg) Location in South Holland | |
| Coordinates:51°49′50″N4°58′27″E / 51.830556°N 4.974167°E /51.830556; 4.974167 | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | South Holland |
| Government | |
| • Body | Municipal council |
| • Mayor | Reinie Melissant-Briene (CDA) |
| Area | |
• Total | 21.93 km2 (8.47 sq mi) |
| • Land | 18.83 km2 (7.27 sq mi) |
| • Water | 3.10 km2 (1.20 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 2 m (6.6 ft) |
| Population (January 2021)[4] | |
• Total | 37,410 |
| • Density | 1,987/km2 (5,150/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Gorkumer |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postcode | 4200–4208 |
| Area code | 0183 |
| Website | www |
Gorinchem (Dutch pronunciation:[ˈɣɔrkʏm]ⓘor[ˈɣɔrkəm]),also spelledGorkum, is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province ofSouth Holland. The municipality covers an area of 21.93 km2 (8.47 sq mi) of which 3.10 km2 (1.20 sq mi) is water. It had a population of 37,410 in 2021.
The municipality of Gorinchem also includes the population centre ofDalem.
It is generally assumed that Gorinchem was foundedc. 1000 AD by fishermen and farmers on the raised land near the mouth of the riverLinge at theMerwede.Goriks Heem ("Home of Gorik" in earlyMiddle Dutch) is first mentioned in a document from 1224 in whichFloris IV granted people from Gorinchem exemption oftoll payments throughoutHolland.
Somewhere between 1247 and 1267, Gorinchem became property of theLords of Arkel. At the end of the 13th century earthen mounds reinforced withpalisades were built around the settlement to protect it from domination by the neighboring counties of Holland and Gelre. Half a century later realcity walls were built complete with 7gates and 23watchtowers. Otto van Arkel granted itcity rights on 11 November 1322.
Jan van Arkel had a dispute withAlbert I, brother ofWillem V of Holland, leading to war and subsequently to the annexation of Gorinchem to Holland in 1417. This resulted in increased trade and Gorinchem grew to be the eighth city of Holland.
Charles the Bold constructed theBlue Tower palace in Gorinchem in 1461. This castle was already demolished in 1578.
On 9 July 1572, theWatergeuzen (Dutch rebels against Spanish rule) conquered the city and captured 19 Catholic priests and monks. Because they refused to renounce their faith, these priests and monks were brought toBrielle where they were hanged and were from then on known among Catholics as theMartyrs of Gorkum.
The Martyrs of Gorkum were canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867.[5] Their martyrdom is commemorated annually in Gorinchem and has become an integral part of the city’s religious and cultural identity.[6] As victims of religious persecution during the Eighty Years' War, their story symbolizes the broader conflict between Catholicism and Protestantism in the region. The martyrs hold a notable place in Dutch religious history, and their legacy continues to resonate with Catholics around the world.
By the 16th century, the city walls had deteriorated and were replaced with new fortifications and elevenbastions that are still almost completely intact. The new walls were completed in 1609 and were located further from the town centre, making the city twice as large. In 1673, Gorinchem became part of the oldDutch Water Line.
The city walls had four city gates: the Arkel Gate in the north, the Dalem Gate in the east, the Water Gate in the south (where the ferry toWoudrichem was), and the Kansel Gate in the west. Of these four gates, only the Dalem Gate remains. The others were removed in the 19th century to make way for vehicular traffic. A portion of the Water Gate was preserved in the gardens of theRijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
In the 18th century, the economy went into decline. After theFrench domination, the retreating French troops established themselves in thebastion fortress of Gorinchem. After a three-month siege they capitulated but the city was heavily damaged.
During the Industrial Revolution, Gorinchem recovered. Increased shipping led to new canals being dug and a railway connection to the city. Its population quickly increased, filling the inner city, and new neighbourhoods had to be built outside the city walls.
At the beginning of the 20th century, expansion took place in the Lingewijk and West neighbourhoods. After World War II, expansion started in the north-western portion of the municipality which was completed in the 1970s. This was followed by development of the neighbourhoods Wijdschild and Laag Dalem east of the city center. In 1986, the town Dalem was added to the municipality.
In August 2021ANWB named Gorinchem the most beautiful star fort in the Netherlands.
Gorinchem had 37,456 inhabitants on 1 January 2021.
The current mayor of Gorinchem isReinie Melissant-Briene of theCDA. In 2023 a new municipal executive was agreed, consisting of the City Interest,VVD,CU-SGP, Gorcum Active andSP.[7]
The municipal council of Gorinchem has 25 members, which are directly elected. The composition of the council at the2022 Dutch municipal elections is shown in the table below.[8]
| Party | Role | Seats | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Interest | Executive | 5 | ||||||
| Democrats Gorinchem | Opposition | 4 | ||||||
| PvdA | Opposition | 3 | ||||||
| VVD | Executive | 3 | ||||||
| SP | Executive | 2 | ||||||
| CDA | Opposition | 2 | ||||||
| CU-SGP | Executive | 2 | ||||||
| D66 | Opposition | 2 | ||||||
| Gorcum Active | Executive | 2 | ||||||
The city is crossed by two motorways; theA15 on the northside, and theA27 on the westside.
The city also has a railway station:Gorinchem.
Gorinchem is twinned with
|
|
Places adjacent to Gorinchem | |
|---|---|
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
