Monnickendam
City in North Holland, Netherlands
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Monnickendam (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌmɔnɪkə(n)ˈdɑm]) 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 1499 and 1513.
Monnickendam | |
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Monnickendam in 2010 | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
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 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 | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | North Holland |
| Municipality | Waterland |
| Area (2012)[1] | |
• Total | 1,536 ha (3,800 acres) |
| • Land | 1,464 ha (3,620 acres) |
| • Water | 72 ha (180 acres) |
| Population (2012)[1] | |
• Total | 9,915 |
| • Density | 677.3/km2 (1,754/sq mi) |
| Postal code | 1140–1141[2] |
| Area code | 0299[3] |
History
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.[7][8]
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.[9]
Other notable organisations include Leguit + Roos, specialising in the renovation and restoration of historical buildings that are plenty in the Waterland area.[10]
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.[11]
Demographics
Notable people
- Wendelmoet Claesdochter, first female Lutheran martyr during the Reformation, executed in 1527 at The Hague
- Cornelis Dirkszoon, mayor of Monnickendam during the Eighty Years' War
- Hermann Jung (1608–1678), prominent Lutheran theologian and preacher
- Simon Lambrechtszoon Mau, captain of the Duyfken who led the first expedition to the Dutch East Indies using a route around Africa
- Marlou van Rhijn, two-time 200 metre gold medal winner at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics
Gallery
Monk sculpture at the bridge near de Waag
Church: de Grote of Sint Nicolaaskerk
Tower (de Speeltoren) and de Waag
View to the port
View to a street (het Noordeinde)
View to the grachten
Drawbridge: the Rietvinkbrug
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