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[[File:RMSDeltaNorth.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Satellite image of part of the [[Rhine-Meuse delta]], showing the Island of Dordrecht and the eponymous city (7)]]
[[File:RMSDeltaNorth.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Satellite image of part of the [[Rhine-Meuse delta]], showing the Island of Dordrecht and the eponymous city (7)]]
'''Dordrecht''' ({{pronunciation|Nl-Dordrecht.ogg}}) is a city and municipality in the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] province of [[South Holland]], the [[Netherlands]]. It is the fourth largest city of the province, having a population of 118,390 in 2008. The municipality covers the entire Dordrecht Island, also often called ''the Island of Dordt'', bordered by the rivers [[Oude Maas]], [[Beneden Merwede]], [[Nieuwe Merwede]], [[Hollands Diep]], and [[Dordtsche Kil]]. Dordrecht is the largest and most important city in the [[Drechtsteden]] and is also part of the [[Randstad]], the main [[conurbation]] in the Netherlands. Dordrecht is the oldest city in [[Holland]] and has a rich history and culture.
'''Dordrecht''' ({{pronunciation|Nl-Dordrecht.ogg}}) is a city and municipality in the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] province of [[South Holland]], the [[Netherlands]]. It is the fourth largest city of the province, having a population of 118,390 in 2008. The municipality covers the entire Dordrecht Island, also often called ''Het Eiland van Dordt'' (the Island of Dordt), bordered by the rivers [[Oude Maas]], [[Beneden Merwede]], [[Nieuwe Merwede]], [[Hollands Diep]], and [[Dordtsche Kil]]. Dordrecht is the largest and most important city in the [[Drechtsteden]] and is also part of the [[Randstad]], the main [[conurbation]] in the Netherlands. Dordrecht is the oldest city in [[Holland]] and has a rich history and culture.


==Etymology==
==Etymology==

Revision as of 19:03, 26 November 2009

This article is about the Dutch city. For the city in South Africa, see Dordrecht, Eastern Cape.
Dordrecht
Municipality
Flag of Dordrecht
Flag
Coat of arms of Dordrecht
Coat of arms
Location of Dordrecht
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceSouth Holland
Area
(2006)
 • Total
99.45 km2 (38.40 sq mi)
 • Land79.53 km2 (30.71 sq mi)
 • Water19.92 km2 (7.69 sq mi)
Population
 (1 January, 2007)
 • Total
118,613
 • Density1,491/km2 (3,860/sq mi)
 Source: CBS, Statline.
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Websitewww.dordrecht.nl
Satellite image of part of the Rhine-Meuse delta, showing the Island of Dordrecht and the eponymous city (7)

Dordrecht (pronunciationⓘ) is a city and municipality in the Dutch province of South Holland, the Netherlands. It is the fourth largest city of the province, having a population of 118,390 in 2008. The municipality covers the entire Dordrecht Island, also often called Het Eiland van Dordt (the Island of Dordt), bordered by the rivers Oude Maas, Beneden Merwede, Nieuwe Merwede, Hollands Diep, and Dordtsche Kil. Dordrecht is the largest and most important city in the Drechtsteden and is also part of the Randstad, the main conurbation in the Netherlands. Dordrecht is the oldest city in Holland and has a rich history and culture.

Etymology

The name Dordrecht comes from Thyre, the name of a river, and Middle Dutch drecht "ford", meaning "Thure river crossing". Some documentation speaks of the river actually being called Thuredrith. Inhabitants of Dordrecht are Dordtenaren (singular: Dordtenaar). Dordrecht is informally called Dordt by its inhabitants.

History

The city was formed along the Thure river, in the midst of peat swamps. This river was a branch of the river Dubbel and ran approximately near the current Bagijnhof. In 1049 the first reference to Dordrecht was made. Count Dirk IV was murdered that year near "Thuredrech".

View of Dordrecht, by Aelbert Cuyp.

Dordrecht was granted city rights by William I, Count of Holland, in 1220, making it the oldest city in the historical region of Holland. In fact, Geertruidenberg was the first city in Holland to receive city rights, but this municipiality currently is part of Noord-Brabant.

In 1253 a Latin school was founded in Dordrecht. It still exists today as the Johan de Witt Gymnasium and is the oldest gymnasium in the Netherlands. From 1600 to 1615 Gerhard Johann Vossius was rector at this school.

On 17 April 1421, the Saint Elisabeth's flood drowned large parts of southern Holland, causing Dordrecht to become an island. Over 100,000 people died in the flood.

Because of its strategic location the city developed into an important market city. It traded primarily in wine, wood, and cereals.

Dordrecht around 1565, by Jacob van Deventer

In 1572, representatives of all Dutch cities gathered in Dordrecht to declare their independence from Spain and acknowledge William of Orange as the leader of the fledgling Dutch state, marking the beginning of the Eighty Years War.

In 1618/1619, an important church meeting took place, called the Synod of Dordrecht, settling a theological dispute between the orthodox Calvinists and the liberal Arminians that had brought the country on the brink of civil war. The Arminians were defeated, resulting in the formulation of the Dordrecht Confession of Faith.

From 1780 to 1787, Dordrecht was home to the Patriots faction which intended to remove the hereditary Stadtholder position held by the House of Orange-Nassau. The Netherlands was after all a republic de jure. Soon after, more cities followed and William V fled from Holland. But his brother-in-law, King Frederick William II of Prussia, came to the aid of William V and on 18 September 1787, Dordrecht capitulated to Prussian troops. The Patriots were defeated and Willem V was restored in his position as Stadtholder.

In the 18th century, the importance of Dordrecht began to wane, and Rotterdam became the main city in the region. Yet throughout the centuries, Dordrecht held a key position in the defense of Holland. It hosted an army division well into the 20th century. During the mobilization of August 1939, infantry and artillery were sent to Dordrecht to defend the island.

At the end of the Second World War, during the winter of 1944-45, Dordrecht and its surroundings were in the middle between the opposing armies. The border between occupied and liberated regions ran along the Hollands Diep.

In 1970, the municipality Dubbeldam (then ca. 10,000 inhabitants) and the southern part of the municipality of Sliedrecht were incorporated into Dordrecht, making Dordrecht Island one municipality.

Districts

Dordrecht is divided into 27 districts, neighbourhoods and hamlets:

Plan of Dordrecht from 1868.
  • Binnenstad (“city centre”, district 1)
  • Reeland (district 2)
  • De Staart (district 3)
  • Oud-Krispijn (district 4)
  • Stadspolders (district 5)
  • Wielwijk (district 6)
  • Crabbehof, Zuidhoven (district 7)
  • Sterrenburg (district 8)
  • Dubbeldam (former village, now district 9)
  • Kop van 't Land (hamlet)
  • Tweede Tol (hamlet)
  • Wieldrecht (hamlet)
  • Willemsdorp (hamlet)
  • Noordflank
  • Nieuw-Krispijn
  • Bleyenhoek
  • Land van Valk
  • Oudelandshoek
  • Zeehavenlaan
  • Lijnbaan
  • Klein Dubbeldam
  • De Hoven
  • Zuidpolder
  • Transvaalbuurt
  • Indische buurt
  • Vogelbuurt
  • Van Gogh-buurt

Demography

File:DordtSynod.jpg
The Synod of Dordrecht 1618/19

Around 18% of the population of Dordrecht is of non-Western origin. This group is expanding while the growth of the indigenous population is decreasing. The allochthonous population consists for a large part of young people while the indigenous population has started to age very quickly. Over 6 thousand Turks live in Dordrecht, many of whom are originally from Kayapinar.

According to the Social Geographical Office of Dordrecht, as of 1 January 2005 the population consisted of the following ethnic groups;

Population of Dordrecht as of 1 January 2005
Ethnic group Number of residents
Native Dutch 86.594
Western allochtonen 11.610
Turks 6113
Moroccans 2521
Surinameses 2759
Netherlands Antilleans 3199
Other non-Western allochtonen 6528
Total as of 01-01-2005 119.324

Culture

Because of its long and important role in Dutch history, Dordrecht has a very rich culture. The medieval city centre is home to over 950 monuments.[1] The city also houses 7 churches and 6 museums in a relatively small area and hosts many festivals and events every year.

Places of interest

The Grote Kerk and one of the many canals (New Harbor)
  • Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe-Kerk (Church of Our Dear Lady) or Grote Kerk (Big Church), build between 1285 and 1470.
  • Augustijnenkerk (Church of the Augustins), build circa 1293.
  • Nieuwkerk (New Church), build in 1175.
  • De Munt van Holland (Mint of Holland), mint build in 1366.
  • Kyck over den Dyck (View over the Dike), the last windmill in Dordrecht.
  • Groothoofdspoort (Big Head's Gate), city gate of Dordrecht, build in the 14th and 15th century.
  • Het Hof (The Court), build in 1275.
  • Arend Maartenshof (Arend Maarten's Court), build in 1625.
  • Stadhuis city hall, build in 1383.
  • Statue of Ary Scheffer (1861), by Joseph Mezzara
  • Statue of Johan and Cornelis de Witt (1918), by Toon Depuis
  • river quay
  • canals
  • merchant houses

Museums

The following museums are located in Dordrecht:

  • Dordrechts Museum, informally called Schilderijenmuseum (the paintings museum). Every summer, its garden, known as de Museumtuin, (the Museum garden), hosts the showing of several art house films that gained significant attention in the previous year. Currently closed, due to renovation works. Re-opening is scheduled for 2010. A temporary exhibition space called Dordrechts Museum aan de Haven is situated adjacent to Simon van Gijnmuseum.
  • Simon van Gijnmuseum, named after honorary citizen Simon van Gijn and winner of the museum prize 2004-2005, awarded by the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds.
  • Nationaal Landschapskundig Museum, (National Museum of Landscaping)
  • Lips Slotenmuseum, (Lips Museum of Locks) The museum has closed down and it is not known when or indeed if the inventory will be on display again.
  • Museum 1940-1945, also known as het Verzetsmuseum (the Resistance museum).
  • Naaimachinemuseum Dordrecht, (Museum of Sewing machines Dordrecht)

Events and festivals

Dordrecht hosts around 20 cultural and historical events and festivals each year. The city won the title of "Best events city of the year" in 2003[2] and was nominated for the same title in 2004 and 2005.[3][4]

Dordt in Stoom (literally: Dordt in steam) is the biggest steam event in Europe during which historical steam trains, steam boats etc. can be seen in action. It is organized every year and attracts a quarter of a million visitors.[5] Attention is also paid to Dordrecht’s art and architecture during Kunstrondje Dordt (literally: Little art circle Dordt) and Dordt Monumenteel (Dordt Monumental), which attracts around 100.000 visitors ever year.

Dordrecht hosts the second largest book market[6] and the largest Christmas market in the Netherlands.[7]

Wantijfestival is an out-doors music festival that has been held annually in the second week of June since 1995. It takes place in the Wantij park and attracts around 35.000 people each year.[8] Wantij park also hosts the Wantijconcerten (Wantij concerts) that are held every Monday night in July and August. Other popular music festivals held in Dordrecht are the World Jazz dagen (World Jazz days) held annually in August or September, the Dancetour or Boulevard of Dance, which takes place on Queensday, Big Rivers Festival, a film, music, poetry and theatre festival held in June, and the Cello festival, held every four years in the weekend of the Ascension.

Dordrecht’s annual fun fair is among the highest-ranked in the Netherlands and the International Puppet festival, held in June, includes performances from artists from all over the world, including Italy, Germany, Taiwan, Israel and the US.[9]

Folklore

During Carnaval, Dordrecht is called Ooi- en Ramsgat (Ewe's and Ram's hole), and its inhabitants are Schapenkoppen (Sheepheads). This name originates from an old folk story. Import of meat or cattle was taxed in the 17th century. To avoid having to pay, two men dressed up a sheep they had bought outside the city walls, attempting to disguise it as a man. The sheep was discovered because it bleated as the three men (two men and one sheep) passed through the city wall gate. There is a special monument of a man and his son trying to hold a sheep disguised as a man between them, that refers to this legend. The logo of Dordrecht’s professional football club FC Dordrecht includes the head of a ram and its supporters are known to sing Wij zijn de Dordtse schapenkoppen (we are the Dorsts sheep heads) during matches. There is also a cookie called Schapenkop (sheep head) which is a specialty of Dordrecht.

There are many more legends about Dordrecht. One of them is about Saint Sura, a young woman who planned on building an entire church with only three coins in her purse. She was murdered because of her supposed wealth.

Another legend is about the house called de Onbeschaamde (the Unembarrassed). It is about the three brothers Van Beveren who each wanted to build a house and decided to hold a bet on who dared to place the most risky statue on their façade. One of the brothers, Abraham van Beveren, placed a naked little boy on his façade. However, the house that supposedly won has an empty façade today because, according to the story, the statue was so risky that it was removed.

A well known saying about Dordrecht is Hoe dichter bij Dordt, hoe rotter het wordt (the closer to Dordrecht, the more rotten it gets). The previous mayor Noorland added to that; maar ben je er eenmaal in, dan heb je het prima naar je zin (but once you’re in it, you’re perfectly content). The saying can probably be explained as follows; traffic used to go by water and whoever came close to Dordrecht was obliged, according to staple right, to display their merchandise for a couple of days before being allowed to sail on. This caused loss of time and caused products to become rotten. Another explanation is derived from Bommel is rommel, bij Tiel is niet viel en hoe dichter bij Dordt hoe rotter het wordt which is supposed to be said by farmers describing the bad quality of the land close to the rivers Maas and Waal, only suitable for harvesting reed.

Nature

The Sliedrechtse Biesbosch, east of Dordrecht, and the Dordtse Biesbosch, south of Dordrecht, together form the Hollandse Biesbosch which is a part of the national park the Biesbosch, one of the largest national parks in the Netherlands and one of the last freshwater tide areas in Europe. The Dordtse Biesbosch has several recreational areas that are used for walking, rowing and swimming.

Dordts

Dordts is a dialect of Dutch traditionally spoken by the working class of Dordrecht. It is categorized under the Hollandic accents but also has characteristics of Zeelandic and Brabantian.

Typical features of Dordts are:

  • Using the diminutive suffix -ie or -tie in cases where standard Dutch uses -je. (e.g. Standard Dutch: appeltje (“little apple”) Dordts: appeltie)
  • Words borrowed from Brabantian such as akkerdere (“lit. to knock or to fit, fig. “to get along”)
  • The Dutch diphthongs ei and ui tend to be pronounced more like èè and öö. Recently, the ei-sound has started to be pronounced more like ai.

In the 20th century, Dordts has slowly started to disappear as more and more people have started speaking standard Dutch. The strongest Dorts dialect is nowadays found in the working class neighborhoods bordering the city centre.

Other

On 14 November 1992, the arrival of the popular holiday-figure Sinterklaas was held in Dordrecht and broadcast on national television.

Economy

Harbor area of Dordrecht, seen from the Leeuwenhoekweg

The current economy of Dordrecht is based on ship building, wood industry, and steel industry. The city has the sixth largest sea port in the Netherlands. One of the largest employers on Dordrecht Island is DuPont de Nemours (Nederland) B.V. It has 9 factories here with a workforce of 900 people.

Together with Zwijndrecht, Papendrecht, and Sliedrecht (the "Drecht Cities"), Dordrecht is planning a new ambitious vision to revitalize the region's economy, moving from industry to more business services.

In development are the "Learning" and "Health" Business Parks. The Learning Park is intended to have 60,000 m² of space for educational institutions. In the Health Park, a wide range of health services will be located, with the Dordwijk Campus of the Albert Schweitzer Hospital as focal point. Other services include a blood bank, pharmacy, and mental health clinic.

Near the Health Park a new Sport Park will be built. A new large sport centre, the equivalent size of 3 soccer fields, is planned complete with gyms, skating rink, and a pool. Next to this Sport Park, a huge outdoor event terrain will be established.

Shopping

Shopping in the centre of Dordrecht is centred around the Voorstraat, the Sarisgang and the Statenplein (Staten square). The Voorstraat is 1200 meter long, making it the longest shopping street in the Netherlands.[10] Markets are held every Friday and Saturday on the Statenplein and in the Sarisgang and on Tuesday in Dubbeldam.

Government and Politics

College van B&W

In December 2008, the College van Burgemeester en Wethouders ('Board of Aldermen') in Dordrecht consisted of the following:

  • R.J.G. (Ronald) Bandell, mayor since 2000.
  • J.W. Spigt, alderman
  • F.J. van den Oever, alderman
  • D.A. van Steensel, alderman
  • A.T. Kamsteeg, alderman
  • J.H. Lagendijk, alderman

Local election

The results of the Dutch municipal elections, 2006 in Dordrecht were as follows;

Dutch municipal elections of 2006
Party Votes in % Seats in City council
PvdA 29,4 12
VVD 15,1 6
BV Dordt 14,9 6
CDA 10,5 4
ChristenUnie-SGP 8,5 3
GroenLinks 7,3 3
VSP 6,8 2
ECODORDT 4,6 2
D66 2,9 1
Turnout 48,6 39

Partner cities

Partner cities of Dordrecht are:

Public transport

Dordrecht is well connected to the Dutch railroad system, and has several international connections. There are three railway stations; Dordrecht railway station, Zuid railway station and Stadspolders railway station. The train system hosts:

Four trainlines

The four operating trainlines serve three railway stations within the city boundaries (Dordrecht, Dordrecht Zuid, Dordrecht Stadspolders)

Main connections

  • Arriva, the city bus company of Dordrecht, also serving Werkendam, and also operating the Kop van 't Land ferry on the way

Famous people from Dordrecht

See also People from Dordrecht
  • Beatrix the Rich (b. 1420/21?) - an orphan found after the St. Elizabeth's flood whose education was paid for by the city and who became ancestor of many people of Dordrecht
  • Simon "the Danser" Simonszoon (1577-1611) - privateer and pirate
  • Gerhard Johann Vossius (1577-1649) - scholar and theologian
  • Jacob Cats (1577-1660) - stipendiary magistrate of Dordrecht and Grand Pensionary of Holland
  • Matthijs Balen (1611-1691) - writer, famous for Beschryving der Stad Dordrecht ("Description of City Dordrecht") from 1676
  • Aelbert Cuyp (1620-1691) - painter, famous for his landscapes
  • Cornelis de Witt (1623-1672) - statesman and brother of Johan de Witt
  • Johan de Witt (1625-1672) - Grand Pensionary and brother of Cornelis de Witt
  • Samuel Dirksz van Hoogstraten (1627-1678) - painter, poet, and composer
  • Arnold Houbraken (1660-1719) - painter and writer
  • François Valentijn (1666-1727) - dominie and writer, famous for Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën ("Old and New East-India"), a book about the history of the Dutch East India Company and the countries of the Far East
  • Aart Schouman (1710-1792) - painter and engraver
  • Johannes Immerzeel Jr. (1776-1841) - writer and poet
  • Jan Schouten (1786-1852) - master ship builder, freemason, and poet
  • Ary Scheffer (1795-1858) - painter
  • Simon van Gijn (1836-1922) - banker and collector, whose home is now a museum in Dordrecht
  • Cornélie van Zanten (1855-1946) - opera singer, author, and teacher
  • Karel Lotsy (1893-1959) - sport leader, especially of the Netherlands national football team
  • Marinus Vertregt (1897-1973) - astronomer
  • Peter Hurkos (1911-1988) - popular entertainer known for performing psychic feats
  • Kees Buddingh' (1918-1985) - poet and writer
  • Jan Eijkelboom (1926-2008) - journalist, poet, and writer
  • Willy Batenburg (1926-2000) - folk singer
  • Ad Scheepbouwer (1944) - chairman of the board of KPN

Honorary citizens of Dordrecht

  • Simon Marinus Hugo van Gijn (1848-1937), since 1926 - member of House of Representatives
  • Dr. Theodoor Stoop
  • Top Naeff (1878-1953) - writer
  • Kees Buddingh', since 1978
  • Jan Eijkelboom, since 2001
  • Hofstraat
    Hofstraat
  • Grote Kerk
    Grote Kerk
  • Groothoofdspoort
    Groothoofdspoort
  • Het Hof (The Court)
    Het Hof (The Court)
  • Statue of brothers 'de Witt' in front of the library
    Statue of brothers 'de Witt' in front of the library
  • City Hall
    City Hall
  • Pottenkade next to the Grote Kerk
    Pottenkade next to the Grote Kerk
  • Windmill 'Kyck over den Dyck'
    Windmill 'Kyck over den Dyck'
  • Dordrechts Museum
    Dordrechts Museum

References

  1. ^ http://www.dordtinstoom.nl/
  2. ^ http://www.nieuwsbank.nl/inp/2004/05/13/R013.htm
  3. ^ http://www.vertelhetderaad.nl/dordt?waxtrapp=gdvaoDsHaKnPvBJiBdBQmevWrevW
  4. ^ http://www.vertelhetderaad.nl/dordt?waxtrapp=qkvaoDsHaKnPvBJiBdBQuwuWnxuW
  5. ^ http://www.dordtinstoom.nl/index.html
  6. ^ http://cms.dordrecht.nl/dordt?waxtrapp=hrpboDsHaKnPvBJoEhDC&swords=kermis
  7. ^ http://www.kerstmarktdordrecht.nl/
  8. ^ http://www.wantijpop.nl/
  9. ^ http://www.poppentheaterfestival.nl/index.php?page=static&id=27
  10. ^ http://www.youropi.com/nl/dordrecht/article/winkelen-in-dordrecht-764
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