Roermond
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| Roermond Remunj |
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| Country | Netherlands | ||
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| Province | Limburg | ||
| Area (2006) | |||
| - Total | 46.87 km2 (18.1 sq mi) | ||
| - Land | 38.59 km2 (14.9 sq mi) | ||
| - Water | 8.28 km2 (3.2 sq mi) | ||
| Population (1 Juni, 2008) | |||
| - Total | 54.488 | ||
| - Density | 1,405/km2 (3,638.9/sq mi) | ||
| Source: CBS, Statline. | |||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
Roermond (
pronunciation (help·info)) (Limburgish: Remunj) is a city, a municipality, and a diocese in the southeastern part of the Netherlands.
The city of Roermond is a historically important town, on the east bank of the river Maas (Meuse). It received city rights in 1231. Roermond town centre has been designated as a conservation area.
Through the centuries the town has filled the role of commercial centre, principal town in the duchy of Guelders and since 1559 it has served as the seat of the bishop. In addition to important churches, the town centre has many listed buildings and monuments. The skyline of the historic town is dominated by the towers of its two churches: St. Christopher Cathedral and Munster Church.
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[edit] Geography
Roermond is situated in the middle of the province of Limburg bordered by the Maas River to the west and Germany to the east.
[edit] Population centres
The community of Roermond consists of the following population centres:
- Roermond
- Maasniel
- Leeuwen
- Asenray
- Herten
- Merum
- Ool
- Swalmen (since 2007)
- Boukoul (since 2007)
- Asselt (since 2007)
[edit] Transport
Access roads to Roermond have been upgraded recently providing direct access to the Dutch and German highway network. From north to south the the A73 (Maastricht-Nijmegen) is situated underneath and alongside the city. To the east is the German A52 (Düsseldorf). Westbound the local throughway N280 leads towards Weert and onwards to the A2 towards Eindhoven.
- Railway station: Roermond
Roermond has a train station with half-hourly fast trains across the country to:
In addition there are commutertrains with half-hourly service to:
- Northeastbound: Venlo-Nijmegen
- Southbound: Sittard-Maastricht
The municipality of Swalmen also has a train station serving commuter trains on the line Roermond-Venlo twice hourly.
For regional transport there is a bus station with some city lines and regional lines to nearby villages and towns. There is also a bus connection to Heinsberg in Germany. There are no long-distance coach services.
[edit] History
Where before Celtic inhabitants of this region used to live on both sides of the Roer river, invading Romans built a bridge, (now called the Steene Brök') and based the original town of Roermond, which is now a suburb, called (or Voorstad Sint Jacob in Dutch). Around 1180-1543, Roermond belonged to the duchy of Guelders. In 1213 Roermond was destroyed by Otto IV of Brunswick, the Holy Roman Emperor and German King. By 1232 the city had been rebuilt, and was given its own seal, own reign, own mint, and its own court.
The first mention of the Minderbroederklooster, the monastery of the Franciscan Friars Minor, was in 1309. In 1361, the Chapter of the Holy Spirit moved from St. Odiliënberg to Roermond.
Around 1350, Roermond became the capital of the "Overkwartier van Gelre" (Overquarter of Gelre). In 1388 a siege by the French occurred. Battle of the pre-city fortifications Buiten Op and destruction of the pre-city fortifications Buiten Op and the old parish church by the French.
In 1441, Roermond became a member of the Hanseatic League, and by 1472 acquired the right to mint its own coins. Between 1543-1702 the area was under Spanish rule.
On 23 April 1568 the Battle of Rheindalen occurred near Roermond, which signaled the start of the "Tachtigjarige Oorlog" (Eighty Years' War). In 1632 the Dutch Stadhouder conquered Venlo, Roermond and Maastricht during his famous "March along the Meuse". Attempts in the next years to annexe Antwerp and Brussels failed, however. The Dutch were disappointed by the lack of support they received from the local population in Limburg who were fighting on the Spanish side. It was clear that, by this time, a new generation had grown up in Flanders and the Brabant and the areas now forming Limburg, that had thoroughly reconverted to Roman Catholicism and now distrusted the Calvinist Dutch even more than they loathed the Spanish occupiers.
In 1572, Roermond was occupied by Willem de Zwijger, a Dutch prince, by 1580 it was transferred from Arnhem to Roermond.
1613 marked the year when 64 presumed witches were burnt on the Galgeberg hill near the Kapel in het Zand in Roermond, the biggest witch trial in the Netherlands ever.
Between 1632-1637, Roermond was part of the Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden - Republic of the 7 United Netherlands, and later in 1702-1716 was part of the Republic again. Between 1716-1794, it was part of the Habsburg empire.
On 11 December 1792, the French under General De Miranda conquered Roermond, but by 5 March 1793, was under Habsburg control again. The city was again occupied by the French on 5 April 1794 and officially became part of France from 1795 to 1814. In 1814, Roermond was liberated by the Russians. After the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814 Roermond became Dutch. In 1814, with the formation of the new Kingdom of the Netherlands, one of the new provinces was to receive the name Maastricht, after its capital. King William, who did not want the name Limburg to be lost, insisted that the name be changed to Limburg. As such, the name of the new province derived from the old duchy of Limburg that had existed until 1648 within the triangle Maastricht - Liège - Aachen.
When the Netherlands and Belgium separated in 1830, there was support for adding Limburg to Belgium, but in the end (1839) the province was divided in two, with the eastern part going to the Netherlands and the western part to Belgium. From that time, Dutch Limburg was, as the Duchy Limburg, also part of the German Confederation.
Between 1940 to 1945, during World War II, the Germans occupied Roermond. The city was liberated on 1 March 1945 by the Recce Troop of the 35th US Infantry Division during Operation Grenade. By the time of liberation 90% of all buildings were either damaged or destroyed. Restoration restored the old city center in full glory.
[edit] Crime
Roermond is known as a relatively unsafe place, a problem many cities close to the border have to cope with. In 2006 the city ranked as 3rd most criminal city in the Netherlands.[1] outscoring Amsterdam. In 2007 Roermond managed to improve its reputation dropping down to a 9th place (though this figure is combined with the district of Swalmen, which had its own score in 2006). Efforts are being put in place to limit the petty crimes (especially car/house burglaries).
[edit] Economy
[edit] Employment
Though Roermond grew and expanded steadily over the years to come it was not until the start of the 21st century that Roermond saw another boost coming. This recent growth was mainly caused by the construction of the highway A73 circling Roermond on the east-side. The highway was planned to open in January 2007 with the 2.5 km long Roertunnel leading traffic underneath a part of the city and the shorter Swalmertunnel underneath Swalmen. However due to delays the tunnels only opened with 1 carriageway available and frequent closures. The tunnels grew infamous during the first weeks when numerous closures due to technical problems caused constant traffic jams. The tunnels are expected to be fully operational somewhere in 2009. Another highway connection under construction is the German autobahn A52. The last 6 km stretch from Düsseldorf to the German-Dutch border is nearing completion. The highway leads from Roermond straight to Düsseldorf.
Though the economy runs above average in the region and the city attracts new residents (mainly young people), the city itself still has a fairly high unemployment rate of 10.7% [2] and the average income is lower than the national average.
[edit] Shopping
Roermond contains several large shopping areas. Most are open every Sunday as well as on most bank holidays.
- City centre - consists of several open promenades and a covered promenade called the Roercenter. Stores open on every first Sunday of the month, though future plans are to have the centre opened every Sunday of the year.
- Designer Outlet Centre - fashion, clothing, sportswear
- Retail Park Roermond - larger chain stores in electronics, food, household supplies and furniture.
- Huis & Tuinboulevard - hardware, furniture and garden stores.
- Kazerneterrein - Adjacent to the Designer Outlet Centre, a new centre will open in spring 2009, focussing on bars, restaurants and nightlive. Future expansion is planned under the name of Jazz City, where a part of the harbour is to be transferred into a recreational entertainment district.
[edit] Culture
For culture Roermond relies on its old cityc entre which is rich of historic monuments, such as.
- Minster church (Munsterkerk)
- Stateroom of city hall
- The old cemetery
- Kapel in 't Zand
- Roermond City Hall
- St. Christopher Cathedral
- Carolus chapel
- National Indiëmonument
- Kasteeltje Hattem
- Rattentoren
- The Galgeberg is a small hill in Roermond. It is in the Kapel in 't Zand-area of Roermond. "Galgeberg" is Dutch for "gallows hill". Once criminals were hanged or burned here. For instance in 1613, 64 witches were burned here; it was the biggest witchtrial in the Netherlands ever.
Besides monuments Roermond also hosts several festivals, including a Liberation Day festival on May 5 and a techno festival Solar Weekend.
[edit] Nature and recreation
Roermond is encircled by a green belt, which offers many opportunities for hiking and cycling. To the east nature reserves, such as the Meinweg National Park, the valley of the Leu (Leudal) and the Swalm and Roer rivers, provide woodlands, heath and meadows. The Meinweg also contains a small amount of wildlife including a small group of vipers, the only venomous snake to live in the Netherlands. To the west the Meuse River and its lake area, known as "Maasplassen", offer opportunities for water recreation.
[edit] Notable natives
- Johannes Murmellius (ca 1480-1517), humanist
- Pierre Cuypers (1827-1921), architect
- Louis Raemaekers (1869-1956), painter
- Charles Ruijs de Beerenbrouck (1873-1936), Prime Minister of the Netherlands
- Louis Beel (1902-1977), Prime Minister of the Netherlands
- Jo Cals (1914-1971), Prime Minister of the Netherlands
- Marleen Gorris (born 1948), film director
- Anna Wood (born 1966), kayaker
- Rogier Wassen (born 1976), tennis player
- Harrie Gommans (born 1983), footballer
- Rico Vonck (born 1987), darts player
[edit] Other information
[edit] IRA attacks against British Forces personnel
On 1 May1988 the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) killed three British Airmen and injured three others in a double attack. At the market in Roermond, near the border between Germany and the Netherlands, IRA members opened fire on a vehicle in which three men from the Royal Air Force Regiment based at RAF Wildenrath were sleeping. SAC Ian Shinner was killed and his two companions were wounded. Half an hour later, the second attack killed two British Airmen and injured another, who had spent a few hours in a Dutch disco, around fifty kilometers from the border shared with Germany.
In a separate attack two years later two Australian nationals were killed. The two men were lawyers on holiday, who the IRA shot believing they were off-duty British Army soldiers. It is believed that the killings led to a drop in support for the IRA in Australia and led to Prime Minister John Howard refusing to meet Gerry Adams from Sinn Féin on a visit there in 2000.
British national. Killed after a night out, while sleeping in his car with two friends, Market Square, Roermond, Netherlands. Off duty RAF Regiment member.
- 27 May 1990 Stephen Melrose (24).Civilian. Australian national. Shot shortly after getting out of car, Market Square, Roermond, Netherlands. Assumed to have been an off duty British Army member.
- 27 May 1990 Nicholas Spanos (28).Civilian. Australian national. Shot shortly after getting out of car, Market Square, Roermond, Netherlands. Assumed to have been an off duty British Army member.
It was not uncommon for British soldiers based in this area to be attacked:
- On 2 June 1990.A British Army Artillery Officer was shot and killed by three attackers in nearby Dortmund while returning from a social event with his wife. The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) issued a statement in Dublin claiming responsibility.
- On 9 July 1989. IRA shot the West German wife of a British soldier while she sat in a parked car in nearby Dortmund. This was the first time a non-British citizen was killed by the IRA in West Germany.
- On 26 October 1989 A British Airman and his 6 month old daughter were shot and killed by the IRA in nearby Mönchengladbach.
[edit] Earthquake
On April 13, 1992, an MW 5.4 earthquake occurred near the city of Roermond in a focal depth of about 17 km. This so-called Roermond earthquake was the strongest event in Central Europe since 1756. Following this earthquake, the water levels of numerous wells located in the Lower Rhine Embayment showed significant coseismic anomalies. The Roer Valley, which crosses three countries (Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany), is bounded by two north-northwest, south-southeast trending Quaternary normal fault systems. The eastern boundary is defined by the Peel boundary fault, along which the 1992 Roermond earthquake occurred (Camelbeeck and van Eck, 1994), and the western boundary is defined by the Feldbiss fault zone, which is partly located in Belgium. Evidence of recent tectonic activity along the Feldbiss fault zone is visible on seismic profiles that show more than 600 m of offset in Neogene deposits (Demyttenaere and Laga, 1988). Although Ahorner demonstrated the existence of the ... Rhenish seismoactive zones.... and recommended a comprehensive analysis of Quaternary structures and background seismicity, coseismic movements were considered to be improbable, and active faults remain largely unidentified.
[edit] Floods
As a city near surrounded by water and close to 2 rivers, the Maas and the Roer, Roermond often has to defend itself against floods. The worst floods were in 1993 and 1995.
| Year | Water level (mNAP) | At | Damage | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 1643 | 49.7 | Maastricht | Highest level ever in Limburg | |
| December 1880 | 20.71 | Roermond | ||
| March 1910 | 46.1 | Maastricht | ||
| March 1920 | 20.6 | Roermond | ||
| January 1926 | 42.92 | Maastricht | 80 million Dutch guilders damage, 14,000 refugees | Largest flood disaster in Limburg, breakthrough of dikes. |
| July 1980 | Roermond | |||
| 1984 | Roermond | |||
| December 1993 | 45.8 | Borgharen | 245 million guilders damage | |
| January 1995 | 45.71 | Borgharen | 500 million guilders damage, 210,000 people evacuated | Longest high water ever in Limburg |
[edit] Anthem
Roermond has had its own anthem since 1912. The text was written by A. F. van Beurden, the music is by H. Tijssen, who also composed the Limburg Anthem (Waar in 't bronsgroen eikenhout).
In everyday life in Limburg around 1900 the Dutch language was of no importance. Everything was done in Limburgs. Newspapers in the 19th and 20th century were written in German or Limburgs and in most parts of Limburg German was the language used in church and education. In this time Maastricht still had a very strong connection with French-speaking areas around Liege. Van Beurden's poem was used on purpose to force the people of Limburg into speaking Dutch. Proof of this is the very un-Limburg part in the anthem, the reference to the Dutch Royal family. In 1900 the people in Limburg had to swear their allegiance to the Dutch royal family of the House of Orange-Nassau in a "aanhankelijkheidsverklaring aan het Oranjehuis" and had to start using Dutch instead of Limburgs.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
[edit] Literature
- Johnston, A. C., "Seismic moment assessment of earthquakes in stable continental regions", II, Historical seismicity, Geophys. J. Int., 125, 639, 1996.
- Geluk, M. C., E. J. T. Duin, M. Dusar, R. H. B. Rijkers, M. W. van Den Berg, and P. van Rooijen, "Stratigraphy and tectonics of the Roer Valley Graben", Geol. Mijnbouw, 73, 129, 1994.
- Paulissen, E., J. Vandenberghe, and F. Gullentops, "The Feldbiss fault in the Maas Valley bottom (Limburg, Belgium)", Geol. Mijnbouw, 64, 79, 1985.
- Rosenhauer, W., and L. Ahorner, "Seismic hazard assessment for the Lower Rhine Embayment before and after the 1992 Roermond earthquake", Geol. Mijnbouw, 73, 415, 1994.
- van den Berg, M.W., "Neotectonics of the Roer Valley rift system. Style and rate of crustal deformation inferred from syn-tectonic sedimentation", Geol. Mijnbouw, 73, 143, 1994.
- van den Berg, M.W., et al., "Patterns and velocities of recent crustal movements in the Dutch part of the Roer Valley rift system", Geol. Mijnbouw, 73, 157, 1994.
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