Monnickendam

City in North Holland, Netherlands From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Monnickendammap

Monnickendam (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌmɔnɪkə(n)ˈdɑm]) is a city in the Dutch province of North Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Waterland, and lies on the coast of the Markermeer, about 8 km (5.0 mi) southeast of Purmerend. It received city rights in 1355 and was damaged by the fires of 1500 and 1513.

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Monnickendam
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Monnickendam in 2010
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The town centre (dark green) and the statistical district (light green) of Monnickendam in the municipality of Waterland
Coordinates: 52°28′N 5°2′E
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceNorth Holland
MunicipalityWaterland
Area
 (2012)[1]
  Total1,536 ha (3,796 acres)
  Land1,464 ha (3,618 acres)
  Water72 ha (178 acres)
Population
 (2012)[1]
  Total9,915
  Density650/km2 (1,700/sq mi)
Postal code
1140–1141[2]
Area code0299[3]
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History

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Joan Blaeu's map of Monnickendam, developed in 1649

Monnikendam was also the name of a number of warships built at the port of the same name during the Anglo-Dutch Wars.

The town was founded by monks,[4] the name Monnickendam translates as 'Monk's dam'.

Monnickendam was a separate municipality until 1991, when it was merged into Waterland.[5] Although it is a small fishing village today, it was an important port in earlier centuries. It possesses a seventeenth-century weigh house, once used by merchants and port officials, and a bell tower that dates from 1591. The fourteenth century church of St. Nicholas, renovated in 1602, is particularly notable. The synagogue was built in 1894.[6] Jewish families named Monnikendam trace their roots to this town.

The town was the site of an artist's colony in the early twentieth century.

Economy

Monnickendam hosts a number of industries, many related to its history and proximity to the Markermeer. Notably, the city is home to the Royal Hakvoort Shipyards that has operated for over a century, first catering to the local fishing industry by building vessels for their purpose, and later moving into luxury and pleasure crafts.[7]

Other notable organisations include Leguit + Roos, specialising in the renovation and restoration of historical buildings that are plenty in the Waterland area.[8]

In recent developments, the derelict business quarter of Galgeriet was demolished in order to make space for the development of new residential buildings. The Dutch government has subsidised this development with €6,420,240, with the hope of creating 700 homes as well as additional commercial spaces to both alleviate the ailing demography and provide an impetus for further economic growth.[9]

Demographics

In 2001, the town of Monnickendam had 9,546 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 1.34 km2 (0.52 sq mi), and contained 3,766 residences.[10] The wider statistical area of Monnickendam has a population of around 9,680.[11]

Notable people

See also

References

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