Zundert
Encyclopedia
Zundert is a municipality
and a town in Noord Brabant, the Netherlands
.
Zundert lies about 10 metres above Dutch sea level (NAP
), and is located 15 km south-west of the city of Breda
, and 35 km north-east of Antwerp, Belgium
. Zundert is surrounded by the municipalities Etten-Leur
and Breda
on the north, Hoogstraten
(Belgium) on the east, Wuustwezel
(Belgium) on the south, Kalmthout
(Belgium) on the southwest, and Essen
(Belgium) and Rucphen
on the west.
10% of all nursery
production of the Netherlands occurs around Zundert. Production of strawberries
and young field grown trees and hedging plants is very important in the area.
After the municipal redivision in 1997, Zundert was expanded with the former municipality of Rijsbergen
.
This Sunderda actually relates to the current settlement of Klein-Zundert (literally translated as Small-Zundert), which was one of the first settlements in the area. The monks there, besides their religious labour, were also involved in the clearing of the, in that time, still rough territory, which was filled with swamps, peats and heathland fields.
The monks also helped improve agricultural methods.
Zundert is still surrounded by a rural environment with beautiful nature areas, one of them is the "Buissche Heide", a magnificent heathland area with unique walking possibilities. The Kalmthoutse Heide, across the border with Belgium
, is also in the vicinity.
church of Zundert, dedicated to Saint Trudo
, was built in 1927, and contains art treasures from the 17th century, coming from the St. Michielsabdij in Antwerp. These treasures consist of marble altar tables, three Alabaster sculptures, several paintings and two carved oaken confessionals. The church itself was designed by Jan Stuyt
, a pupil of the famous architect Pierre Cuypers
.
It is said to have been originally built in 1652. It is a standard mill, and it was built to process grain.
The mill had numerous private owners in the past, including stadtholder
Willem V
, as the Baron of Breda, who became owner in 1794. In the early 1900s the mill was owned by Wilhelmus van der Stappen.
The mill was heavily damaged in 1950, and its existence was threatened several occasions after that. The Akkermolen is currently owned by the municipality of Zundert, which bought it in 1959, the last private owners being the Herijgers family. After the mill was taken over by Zundert, it needed serious restoration, which took place in 1961. Another restoration took place in 1991, but then, the entire mill needed to be taken apart and restored.
The Akkermolen can be visited, after arranging an appointment at Akkermolenweg 15.
.
He was born on 30 March 1853 in a little house on Zundert's main street, "Markt 29". The former house is gone as it was too dilapidated to preserve, but a plaque at this location still commemorates his birth. In May 2007 the renovation of the house at Markt 29, and the neighbouring house, started. After the renovation, the Vincent van Gogh house was opened in August 2008.
People can still visit the Dutch Reformed church built in 1806 in which the father of Vincent, Theodorus van Gogh, started preaching in 1849. In the graveyard is the grave of Vincent's one year older brother, who died soon in infancy - also called Vincent van Gogh. Vincent did not paint when he lived in Zundert, but drew some sketches. In letters to his Brother Theo, Vincent recalls Zundert, and its surroundings a few times when writing about childhood, serenity and learning about life. Because he died in the French
town of Auvers-sur-Oise
, on 29 July 1890, a special relation between these two places exists. This can, for example, be noticed by the existence of a slightly hidden Auvers-sur-Oise Street, ending at the Van Gogh Square.
Tourist information is also located in the building, as well as a pleasant bar with a garden terrace.
of Vincent and his brother Theo on the "Vincent van Gogh Plein" (Vincent van Gogh square), as a tribute to the great artist van Gogh. It was unveiled on 28 May 1964 by the former Dutch queen Juliana
. The statue is an intriguing abstracted representation of Vincent's connection with his brother Theo.
in Europe, held on first Sunday in September. Depending on the weather, at least 50.000 people attend.
Huge, and often impressive lorry mounted sculptures covered in thousands of dahlia
flowers parade through the town. Each of the competing districts of Zundert construct their own entry.
For more information go to
www.bloemencorsozundert.nl
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 town in Noord Brabant, the 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...
.
Zundert lies about 10 metres above Dutch sea level (NAP
Normaal Amsterdams Peil
Normaal Amsterdams Peil or Amsterdam Ordnance Datum is a vertical datum in use in large parts of Western Europe. Originally created for use in the Netherlands, it was adopted by Prussia in 1879 under the name Normalnull, and in 1955 by other European countries.Mayor Johannes Hudde of Amsterdam in...
), and is located 15 km south-west of the city of Breda
Breda
Breda is a municipality and a city in the southern part of the Netherlands. The name Breda derived from brede Aa and refers to the confluence of the rivers Mark and Aa. As a fortified city, the city was of strategic military and political significance...
, and 35 km north-east of Antwerp, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. Zundert is surrounded by the municipalities Etten-Leur
Etten-Leur
Etten-Leur is a municipality in the southern Netherlands. Its name is a combination of the two towns from which the municipality originally arose: Etten and Leur...
and Breda
Breda
Breda is a municipality and a city in the southern part of the Netherlands. The name Breda derived from brede Aa and refers to the confluence of the rivers Mark and Aa. As a fortified city, the city was of strategic military and political significance...
on the north, Hoogstraten
Hoogstraten
Hoogstraten is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the city of Hoogstraten proper and the towns of Meer, Meerle, Meersel-Dreef, Minderhout and Wortel,...
(Belgium) on the east, Wuustwezel
Wuustwezel
Wuustwezel is a municipality located in the north of the Belgian province of Antwerp, at the Dutch border.The municipality as it is now originated in 1977, when Wuustwezel merged with the municipality of Loenhout...
(Belgium) on the south, Kalmthout
Kalmthout
Kalmthout is a municipality in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises only the village of Kalmthout. On January 1, 2007 Kalmthout had a population of 17,508. The total area is...
(Belgium) on the southwest, and Essen
Essen, Belgium
Essen is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the towns of Essen Centrum, Heikant, Horendonk, Wildert, Statie en Hoek. On January 1, 2007 Essen had a total population of 17,143. The total area is 47.48 km² which gives a population density of 358...
(Belgium) and Rucphen
Rucphen
Rucphen is a municipality and a town in the southern Netherlands between Roosendaal and Etten-Leur, south of the railway, but without a train-station.- Population centres :*Sint Willebrord *Sprundel...
on the west.
Municipality of Zundert
Zundert is one of the most agricultural municipalities of the Netherlands.10% of all nursery
Nursery (horticulture)
A nursery is a place where plants are propagated and grown to usable size. They include retail nurseries which sell to the general public, wholesale nurseries which sell only to businesses such as other nurseries and to commercial gardeners, and private nurseries which supply the needs of...
production of the Netherlands occurs around Zundert. Production of strawberries
Strawberry
Fragaria is a genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, commonly known as strawberries for their edible fruits. Although it is commonly thought that strawberries get their name from straw being used as a mulch in cultivating the plants, the etymology of the word is uncertain. There...
and young field grown trees and hedging plants is very important in the area.
After the municipal redivision in 1997, Zundert was expanded with the former municipality of Rijsbergen
Rijsbergen
Rijsbergen is a town in the municipality of Zundert in the southern Netherlands.In the territory of the former municipality of Rijsbergen was one of the most important border crossings of the country: Hazeldonk. Hazeldonk was ceded in 1997 to Breda.In the town used to be an AC Rijsbergen...
.
Population centres
- Zundert (population: 7,520)
- RijsbergenRijsbergenRijsbergen is a town in the municipality of Zundert in the southern Netherlands.In the territory of the former municipality of Rijsbergen was one of the most important border crossings of the country: Hazeldonk. Hazeldonk was ceded in 1997 to Breda.In the town used to be an AC Rijsbergen...
(6,210) - Klein-Zundert (2,850)
- Wernhout (2,570)
- AchtmaalAchtmaalAchtmaal is a village in the municipality of Zundert in the province of North Brabant, the Netherlands. It is located on the border with Belgium....
(1,680)
History
The origin of the town of Zundert is like that of many others, very unclear. The name is first encountered in a certificate dating from 1157, in which the Bishop of Liege, confirms a donation from the place "Sunderda".This Sunderda actually relates to the current settlement of Klein-Zundert (literally translated as Small-Zundert), which was one of the first settlements in the area. The monks there, besides their religious labour, were also involved in the clearing of the, in that time, still rough territory, which was filled with swamps, peats and heathland fields.
The monks also helped improve agricultural methods.
Zundert is still surrounded by a rural environment with beautiful nature areas, one of them is the "Buissche Heide", a magnificent heathland area with unique walking possibilities. The Kalmthoutse Heide, across the border with Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, is also in the vicinity.
WWII
Zundert, Achtmaal, Wernhout and Klein-Zundert were liberated on October 27, Rijsbergen on October 28. Achtmaal was liberated by the 415th Infantry Regiment of the 104th (Timberwolf) Infantry Division, Zundert and Klein-Zundert by the 413th Infantry Regiment of the 104th (Timberwolf) Infantry Division, and Wernhout and Rijbergen by the 414th Infantry Regiment of the 104th (Timberwolf) Infantry Division.Oldest licensed tavern
At a small distance from the town, an old tavern called "In Den Anker" can be found, which has the oldest license in the Netherlands. It originally dates from 1635, but was rebuilt in 1913.Church of Saint Trudo
The Roman CatholicRoman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
church of Zundert, dedicated to Saint Trudo
Trudo
Saint Trudo was a saint of the seventh century. He is called the "Apostle of Hesbaye" . His feast day is celebrated on November 23....
, was built in 1927, and contains art treasures from the 17th century, coming from the St. Michielsabdij in Antwerp. These treasures consist of marble altar tables, three Alabaster sculptures, several paintings and two carved oaken confessionals. The church itself was designed by Jan Stuyt
Jan Stuyt
Jan Stuyt was a Dutch architect.Stuyt started his architectural career in 1883 at the office of A.C. Bleys , whose neo-Romanesque style would become of great influence on Stuyt...
, a pupil of the famous architect Pierre Cuypers
Pierre Cuypers
Petrus Josephus Hubertus Cuypers was a Dutch architect. His name is most frequently associated with the Amsterdam Central Station and the Rijksmuseum , both in Amsterdam. More representative for his oeuvre, however, are numerous churches, of which he designed more than 100...
.
Town Hall
The town hall of Zundert was built in 1830 in neoclassical style and demolished and rebuilt in the same style in 1965.Akkermolen
Zundert is the home of an 17th century windmill, called 'De Akkermolen' (The Croftmill).It is said to have been originally built in 1652. It is a standard mill, and it was built to process grain.
The mill had numerous private owners in the past, including stadtholder
Stadtholder
A Stadtholder A Stadtholder A Stadtholder (Dutch: stadhouder [], "steward" or "lieutenant", literally place holder, holding someones place, possibly a calque of German Statthalter, French lieutenant, or Middle Latin locum tenens...
Willem V
William V, Prince of Orange
William V , Prince of Orange-Nassau was the last Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic, and between 1795 and 1806 he led the Government of the Dutch Republic in Exile in London. He was succeeded by his son William I...
, as the Baron of Breda, who became owner in 1794. In the early 1900s the mill was owned by Wilhelmus van der Stappen.
The mill was heavily damaged in 1950, and its existence was threatened several occasions after that. The Akkermolen is currently owned by the municipality of Zundert, which bought it in 1959, the last private owners being the Herijgers family. After the mill was taken over by Zundert, it needed serious restoration, which took place in 1961. Another restoration took place in 1991, but then, the entire mill needed to be taken apart and restored.
The Akkermolen can be visited, after arranging an appointment at Akkermolenweg 15.
De Eendracht
The town had other mills in the past, one of them was a stone-mill called "De Eendracht", which stood on Moleneind, currently known as Poteind. It burned down on January 23, 1909. The owner at the time;Jaak Theeuwis, had already lost a wooden mill in Zundert, which was blown down in the previous year of 1908. A store called "de Boerenbond" is now located on the former mills location.Vincent van Gogh
Zundert is the birthplace and childhood home of the famous painter Vincent van GoghVincent van Gogh
Vincent Willem van Gogh , and used Brabant dialect in his writing; it is therefore likely that he himself pronounced his name with a Brabant accent: , with a voiced V and palatalized G and gh. In France, where much of his work was produced, it is...
.
He was born on 30 March 1853 in a little house on Zundert's main street, "Markt 29". The former house is gone as it was too dilapidated to preserve, but a plaque at this location still commemorates his birth. In May 2007 the renovation of the house at Markt 29, and the neighbouring house, started. After the renovation, the Vincent van Gogh house was opened in August 2008.
People can still visit the Dutch Reformed church built in 1806 in which the father of Vincent, Theodorus van Gogh, started preaching in 1849. In the graveyard is the grave of Vincent's one year older brother, who died soon in infancy - also called Vincent van Gogh. Vincent did not paint when he lived in Zundert, but drew some sketches. In letters to his Brother Theo, Vincent recalls Zundert, and its surroundings a few times when writing about childhood, serenity and learning about life. Because he died in the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
town of Auvers-sur-Oise
Auvers-sur-Oise
Auvers-sur-Oise is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. It is associated with several famous artists, the most prominent being Vincent van Gogh.-History:...
, on 29 July 1890, a special relation between these two places exists. This can, for example, be noticed by the existence of a slightly hidden Auvers-sur-Oise Street, ending at the Van Gogh Square.
Vincent van Gogh House
To keep Vincent's memory alive, the municipality of Zundert started the project of realising a Vincent van Gogh house. Rather than a classical museum, it is an active environment, with a presentation about van Gogh's life, interactive education, a documentation room and also permanent and temporary expositions.Tourist information is also located in the building, as well as a pleasant bar with a garden terrace.
Monument
There is a bronze monument made by the French artist Ossip ZadkineOssip Zadkine
Ossip Zadkine was a Belarusian-born artist who lived in France. He is primarily known as a sculptor, but also produced paintings and lithographs.-Early years and career:...
of Vincent and his brother Theo on the "Vincent van Gogh Plein" (Vincent van Gogh square), as a tribute to the great artist van Gogh. It was unveiled on 28 May 1964 by the former Dutch queen Juliana
Juliana of the Netherlands
Juliana was the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands between 1948 and 1980. She was the only child of Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Henry...
. The statue is an intriguing abstracted representation of Vincent's connection with his brother Theo.
Van Gogh Bicycle and Walking route
There are several activities relating to Vincent van Gogh, you can go to Tourist information Zundert about participating in these activities, which is in the Vincent van Gogh's house, opposite the town hall.Flower Parade
Zundert boasts the oldest (since 1936) and hugely elaborate flower paradeParade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
in Europe, held on first Sunday in September. Depending on the weather, at least 50.000 people attend.
Huge, and often impressive lorry mounted sculptures covered in thousands of dahlia
Dahlia
Dahlia is a genus of bushy, tuberous, perennial plants native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. There are at least 36 species of dahlia, some like D. imperialis up to 10 metres tall. Dahlia hybrids are commonly grown as garden plants...
flowers parade through the town. Each of the competing districts of Zundert construct their own entry.
For more information go to
www.bloemencorsozundert.nl