Schildwolde
Village in Groningen, Netherlands
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Schildwolde (Gronings: Schewôl) is a village in the Dutch province of Groningen. It is part of the municipality of Midden-Groningen. It is known for its detached church tower from the 13th century.
Schildwolde | |
|---|---|
Church tower at Schildwolde | |
  Schildwolde Location in province of Groningen in the Netherlands  Schildwolde Schildwolde (Netherlands) | |
| Coordinates: 53.2324°N 6.8140°E | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | Groningen |
| Municipality | Midden-Groningen |
| Area | |
• Total | 17.80 km2 (6.87 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 1,685 |
| • Density | 94.66/km2 (245.2/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 9626 |
| Dialing code | 0598 |
History
Schildwolde was first mentioned in the 10th or 11th century as Scelduualda. The origin of the name is unclear and probably means swampy forest.[3] In 1204, the Premonstratensian monastery of Gratiae Sanctae Mariae was founded in Schildwolde.[4] It was originally a double monastery for monks and nuns. Later, only the convent remained.[5] In 1223 or 1224, there was a dispute between the monastery of Schildwolde and the monastery of Wittewierum, and angry peasants burned down the monastery and church, but the tower remained standing.[6][7]
The current tower displays 1289 as its year of construction, however it contains older parts, and the year was probably added during a 1829 reconstruction.[4] The tower is 55 metres (180 ft) tall, and has a 9 metres (30 ft) square base.[7] The convent was destroyed in 1594. In 1686, a Dutch Reformed Church was built next to tower, however the two buildings are detached.[4] Every year, from 20:00 on 31 December until 08:00 on 1 January, the bells in the tower are rung continuously to chase away evil spirits.[8] On the night of 1964 to 1965, one of the bells was torn after 12 hours of service, and had to be repaired.[9]
In 1909, Schildwolde had a population of 897 people and was part of the municipality of Slochteren.[10] Between 1929 and 1941, there was a joint railway station with Hellum in Schildwolde on the line to Weiwerd.[11] In 2017, it became part of the municipality of Midden-Groningen.[12]
Notable people
- Hendrik Goeman Borgesius (1847–1917), politician and former Speaker of the House of Representatives[13]
Gallery
Gate to a farm from 1695
House of Jeldinga
Village flag of 2019
Toll house
