| Middelburg |
Index for Middelburg |
Hotel Reservations in Middelburg |
Limousines in Middelburg |
Website Links For Middelburg |
Information AboutMiddelburg |
is a Municipality and a City in the south-western Netherlands and the Capital of Zeeland province situated on the peninsula of Walcheren . Population centers The city of Middelburg The city of Middelburg (population: about 46.588 ) dates back to the early 9th century or possibly the late 8th century. The first mention of Middelburg was as one of three Defensive Points (the Burg 'in the middle') erected on the island of Walcheren to guard against Viking raids. In 844 an abbey was built there, which remained in use until the Eighty Years' War , when the northern Netherlands won their independence from Spain. Today, the abbey is used both as a museum and as the seat of the provinical government. Middelburg was granted City Rights in 1217 . The city became an important trading centre. During the middle ages, it played an important role in the trade between England and the cities of Flanders . Later, in the 17th Century (the Dutch Golden Age ), it became an important trading city for the Dutch East India Company . The houses in parts of the center are the same kind of lavish Mansion s of rich merchants that can be found in cities like Amsterdam . There are also many storehouses dating back to the 17th century along the Canal s. The old city Moat s are still there, as is one of the City Gate s, the Koepoort gate. Part of the 18th century moat and defence works however were demolished in the 19th century to make way for a Canal which crosses Walcheren from Vlissingen to Veere . Much of the old city centre was Bomb ed flat on May 17, 1940 by the German Luftwaffe , to force the surrender of the Dutch armies in Zeeland. After the war, the centre was rebuilt as much as possible along prewar lines. The city's archives, however, were lost to the flames. In 2004 the prestigious Roosevelt Academy opened its doors in Middelburg. This international oriented liberal arts and sciences college is an honors college of Utrecht University . Middelburg has a Railway Station with connections to Vlissingen and Roosendaal . External links
|