Monster, Netherlands
Encyclopedia
Monster is a town in the Dutch
province of South Holland
. It is a part of the municipality of Westland, and lies about 10 km south-west of The Hague
.
The village of "Monster" has a population of around 11,580.
The statistical area "Monster", which also can include the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 14,540.
Until 2004 it was a separate municipality and covered an area of 20.15 km² (of which 5.70 km² is water).
The former municipality of Monster also included the towns, Poeldijk and Ter Heijde
. Monster and Ter Heijde are towns on the North Sea
coast and have a popular beach
.
and The Hague
were administered by Monster. When The Hague came to be constructed, a split was made in Haag-ambacht and Half-Loosduinen. The latter village was separated from Monster in 1812. Remains of the former glory can still be seen between The Hague and Monster at such estates as Ockenburgh, Bloemendaal, Solleveld and Langeveld.
There is a great deal of uncertainty over the origin of the name "Monster". It is probably derived from the Latin
monasterium, meaning monastery
. The name was also used for the ground that belonged to a monastery. Another explanation was that Monster was derived from the old-Dutch word monster, which meant amongst others "big church" (from Latin: monstrum), which is supported by the fact that Monster had those days one of the largest churches in the area.
Monster was previously a destination for pilgrimage
, because Machutus parish
possessed some relic
s of its patron
Machutus, who is also known as Machuut. People came to be healed of the "falling sickness", which was possibly epilepsy
.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
province of South Holland
South Holland
South Holland is a province situated on the North Sea in the western part of the Netherlands. The provincial capital is The Hague and its largest city is Rotterdam.South Holland is one of the most densely populated and industrialised areas in the world...
. It is a part of the municipality of Westland, and lies about 10 km south-west of The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
.
The village of "Monster" has a population of around 11,580.
The statistical area "Monster", which also can include the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 14,540.
Until 2004 it was a separate municipality and covered an area of 20.15 km² (of which 5.70 km² is water).
The former municipality of Monster also included the towns, Poeldijk and Ter Heijde
Ter Heijde
Ter Heijde is a village in the Dutch province of South Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Westland, and lies about 11 km west of The Hague....
. Monster and Ter Heijde are towns on the North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
coast and have a popular beach
Beach
A beach is a geological landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake or river. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles or cobblestones...
.
History
In the 13th century a great deal of the Westland, LoosduinenLoosduinen
Loosduinen is a former village in The Netherlands that was a municipality unto itself until 1923. At that time it merged with The Hague, and subsequently became known as the neighbourhood called Stadsdeel of that city.-References:...
and The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
were administered by Monster. When The Hague came to be constructed, a split was made in Haag-ambacht and Half-Loosduinen. The latter village was separated from Monster in 1812. Remains of the former glory can still be seen between The Hague and Monster at such estates as Ockenburgh, Bloemendaal, Solleveld and Langeveld.
There is a great deal of uncertainty over the origin of the name "Monster". It is probably derived from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
monasterium, meaning monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
. The name was also used for the ground that belonged to a monastery. Another explanation was that Monster was derived from the old-Dutch word monster, which meant amongst others "big church" (from Latin: monstrum), which is supported by the fact that Monster had those days one of the largest churches in the area.
Monster was previously a destination for pilgrimage
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
, because Machutus parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
possessed some relic
Relic
In religion, a relic is a part of the body of a saint or a venerated person, or else another type of ancient religious object, carefully preserved for purposes of veneration or as a tangible memorial...
s of its patron
Patrón
Patrón is a luxury brand of tequila produced in Mexico and sold in hand-blown, individually numbered bottles.Made entirely from Blue Agave "piñas" , Patrón comes in five varieties: Silver, Añejo, Reposado, Gran Patrón Platinum and Gran Patrón Burdeos. Patrón also sells a tequila-coffee blend known...
Machutus, who is also known as Machuut. People came to be healed of the "falling sickness", which was possibly epilepsy
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
.