Rhenen
Encyclopedia
Rhenen is a municipality
and a city
in the central Netherlands
.
The municipality also includes the villages of Achterberg
, Remmerden, Elst
and Laareind. The town lies at a geographically interesting location, namely on the southernmost part of the chain of hills known as the Utrecht Hill Ridge
(Utrechtse Heuvelrug), where this meets the river Rhine. Because of this Rhenen has a unique character with pretty much elevation through town.
Directly to the east of the built-up area lies the Grebbeberg, a hill the top of which lies at about 50 m.
probably between 1256 and 1258. In 1346, the bishop of Utrecht ordered the construction of a defensive wall around the city, which was important because it lay near the border with Guelders
. Although for some time the town collected toll from ships on the Rhine, it has never had a harbour. The three city gates were demolished in 1840. Small fragments of the wall remain.
The town is also famous for the Cunera Church
, parts of which date back to the 15th century. Containing the relics of Saint Cunera, it attracted many pilgrims. Legend has it that Cunera was buried on a nearby hill now called the Cuneraheuvel. The church's tower was built between 1492 and 1531.
In 1621, a palace was constructed at Rhenen for the ousted Frederick V
. It was demolished in 1812.
Part of the center of Rhenen, which was located near the defensive Grebbelinie (Grebbe line
), was destroyed during the German attack on the Netherlands in May 1940. Part of the reconstruction took place during the war. In 1945, the town was damaged again.
Many or all of the Dutch soldiers who were killed by the Germans near Rhenen lie buried at the Erebegraafplaats (Honorary Cemetery), located along the Grebbeweg (N 225) near the top of the Grebbeberg. Across the road is an important war monument with a poem by J.C. Bloem
.
In 2008 Rhenen celebrated its 750th anniversary
.
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
and a city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in the central Netherlands
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...
.
The municipality also includes the villages of Achterberg
Achterberg
Achterberg is a town in the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is a part of the municipality of Rhenen, and lies about 5 km west of Wageningen....
, Remmerden, Elst
Elst (Utrecht)
Elst is a town in the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is a part of the municipality of Rhenen, and lies about 5 km southwest of Veenendaal....
and Laareind. The town lies at a geographically interesting location, namely on the southernmost part of the chain of hills known as the Utrecht Hill Ridge
Utrecht Hill Ridge
Utrecht Hill Ridge is a ridge of low sandhills that stretches in a direction from southeast to northwest over the Dutch province of Utrecht and over a part of North Holland. The total length of the region is about 50 km. It covers an area of approximately 23.000 ha...
(Utrechtse Heuvelrug), where this meets the river Rhine. Because of this Rhenen has a unique character with pretty much elevation through town.
Directly to the east of the built-up area lies the Grebbeberg, a hill the top of which lies at about 50 m.
Before 1900
Rhenen received city rightsCity rights in the Netherlands
City rights are a medieval phenomenon in the history of the Low Countries. A liegelord, usually a count, duke or similar member of high nobility, granted a settlement he owned certain town privileges that settlements without city rights did not have....
probably between 1256 and 1258. In 1346, the bishop of Utrecht ordered the construction of a defensive wall around the city, which was important because it lay near the border with Guelders
Guelders
Guelders or Gueldres is the name of a historical county, later duchy of the Holy Roman Empire, located in the Low Countries.-Geography:...
. Although for some time the town collected toll from ships on the Rhine, it has never had a harbour. The three city gates were demolished in 1840. Small fragments of the wall remain.
The town is also famous for the Cunera Church
Cunerakerk (Rhenen)
The Cunerakerk is the main church of Rhenen, Netherlands. The church is large because in the Middle Ages it was an important pilgrimage. In the church were stored the relics of the Saint Cunera since the 8th century. The tower has a height of 81.8 meters....
, parts of which date back to the 15th century. Containing the relics of Saint Cunera, it attracted many pilgrims. Legend has it that Cunera was buried on a nearby hill now called the Cuneraheuvel. The church's tower was built between 1492 and 1531.
In 1621, a palace was constructed at Rhenen for the ousted Frederick V
Frederick V, Elector Palatine
Frederick V was Elector Palatine , and, as Frederick I , King of Bohemia ....
. It was demolished in 1812.
Part of the center of Rhenen, which was located near the defensive Grebbelinie (Grebbe line
Grebbe line
thumb|right|230px|GrebbelinieThe Grebbe Line was a forward defence line of the Dutch Water Line, based on inundation. The Grebbe Line ran from the Grebbeberg in Rhenen northwards until the IJsselmeer....
), was destroyed during the German attack on the Netherlands in May 1940. Part of the reconstruction took place during the war. In 1945, the town was damaged again.
Many or all of the Dutch soldiers who were killed by the Germans near Rhenen lie buried at the Erebegraafplaats (Honorary Cemetery), located along the Grebbeweg (N 225) near the top of the Grebbeberg. Across the road is an important war monument with a poem by J.C. Bloem
J.C. Bloem
Jakobus Cornelis Bloem was a Dutch poet and essayist. Between 1921 and 1958 he published fourteen volumes of poetry. In 1949 he won the Constantijn Huygensprijs, one of the country's highest literary awards, and in 1952 the P. C. Hooft Award award for his literary oeuvre...
.
In 2008 Rhenen celebrated its 750th anniversary
Anniversary
An anniversary is a day that commemorates or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event. One year later would be the first anniversary of that event...
.
Main sights
- Ouwehands Dierenpark, a zooZooA zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
, founded in 1919. - The Cunera ChurchCunerakerk (Rhenen)The Cunerakerk is the main church of Rhenen, Netherlands. The church is large because in the Middle Ages it was an important pilgrimage. In the church were stored the relics of the Saint Cunera since the 8th century. The tower has a height of 81.8 meters....
, a late-GothicGothic architectureGothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
hall-church, built between 1492-1531. - Modern Roman-catholic church Gedachteniskerk, built between 1958-1959.
- Building 'De Brakke' from 1787.
- Ruins of the 14th century MedievalMedieval architectureMedieval architecture is a term used to represent various forms of architecture common in Medieval Europe.-Characteristics:-Religious architecture:...
defensive wallDefensive wallA defensive wall is a fortification used to protect a city or settlement from potential aggressors. In ancient to modern times, they were used to enclose settlements...
. - The Binnenmolen, a round gristmillGristmillThe terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
from 1893. - The Prattenburg estateEstate (house)An estate comprises the houses and outbuildings and supporting farmland and woods that surround the gardens and grounds of a very large property, such as a country house or mansion. It is the modern term for a manor, but lacks the latter's now abolished jurisdictional authority...
. - Ereveld Rhenen, a military cemetery on the Grebbeberg.
External links
- Official website
- Map of Rhenen
- Ouwehands Dierenpark (Zoo)
- Oorlogsgraven Stichting (War Cemetery Foundation)
- Slag om de Grebbeberg (Battle of the Grebbeberg)
- Historische Vereniging Oudheidkamer Rhenen en Omstreken (Historical Society)
- Rhenen, virtuele stad (Virtual Rhenen)
- De Rhenense Middeleeuwen (Medieval Rhenen)