Brouwershaven
 flag |
 coat of arms |
| province |
 Zeeland
|
| local community |
 Schouwen-Duiveland
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|
Area - land - water |
6.72 km 2 6.52 km 2 0.2 km 2 |
| Residents | 1,330 (Jan. 1, 2017) |
| Coordinates | 51 ° 44 ′ N , 3 ° 55 ′ E |
| Important traffic route |
|
| prefix | 0111 |
| Postcodes | 4301, 4316, 4318, 4321-4322 |
| Website | Homepage of Brouwershaven |
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Brouwershaven ( Zeeland Brouwesaeven or Brouw ) is a place in the north of the island of Schouwen-Duiveland , the northernmost island of the Dutch province of Zeeland, directly on the Grevelingenmeer .
The Smalstad belongs to the municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland and today has 1,330 inhabitants. Despite its moving past, shaped by maritime history, Brouwershaven has retained its original character and impresses with the atmosphere of earlier centuries. While the port , fishing and agriculture initially served the residents as a livelihood, today tourism is the economic basis of the city. Brouwershaven has a large marina and the Grevelingenmeer is an Eldorado for water sports enthusiasts, be it divers, windsurfers or amateur captains. Numerous campsites and bungalow parks have been built around Brouwershaven.
Historical
Brouwershaven was founded in the middle of the 12th century. The city of Zierikzee in the south of the island had developed into an important port city. The growing population on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland , the increased farming and fishing and steadily increasing trade made a second port in the north of the island necessary. This development was strengthened by political interests, because for the aristocracy owning a port meant power. Therefore, Count Floris V , ruler of Holland and Zeeland, and Jan van Renesse influenced the urban development. The construction of a large church in 1325 and the magnificent town house from 1599 show that the nobility had great expectations for Brouwershaven.
However, the development fell short of expectations, especially since other cities were increasingly assuming the role of transhipment ports and the fish and crab catches did not bring in enough. Even Jacob Cats , who was born in Brouwershaven in 1577, and who was recognized as a local poet, statesman and politician and as the author of various writings across national borders, could not reverse this negative development. In 1682 Brouwershaven was hit by a severe storm surge. Bridges, parts of the harbor and many buildings were destroyed and washed away. The whole area was covered by a high layer of silt.
Brouwershaven flourishes again between 1838 and 1870. During this time the mouths of the Meuse and Scheldt rivers were heavily silted up. Rotterdam could no longer be reached by sea. Brouwershaven took on the role of the transshipment port for goods and passengers overseas. New buildings were built, numerous offices , 27 hotels and cafes and the stay of well-known personalities gave the city a new face. Brouwershaven was the first city in the Netherlands to have a telegraph connection to Rotterdam.
In 1870 the new waterways to Rotterdam were completed and Brouwershaven sank again into its economic insignificance. On February 21, 1953 Brouwershaven was hit for the last time by a storm surge that flooded the entire city area. A polder was then built in front of Brouwershaven and the city area diked. The polders are now used as recreational areas with play and sports facilities and a small zoo.
With the construction of the Grevelingen dam and the Brouwersdam in 1965 and 1971, Schouwen-Duiveland lost its actual island position and Brouwershaven lost its connection to the open North Sea. The Grevelingen became an inland sea.
Attractions
Marketplace
Brouwershaven has retained its old port city character. The center is formed by the inland port and directly adjacent to the market square. The surrounding small houses and shops frame the historic town center and give it a maritime, medieval flair.
Jacob Cats Memorial
At the eastern end of the market square, in front of the inland port, the residents erected a memorial to the local poet, politician and statesman Jacob Cats in 1829. Jakob Cats was born in Brouwershaven in 1577. Shortly before his death, he showed his appreciation for the city and gave it a copy of his collected works.
Townhouse
The western end of the market square is shaped by the magnificent town house. The building, which was built in 1599 in the Flemish Renaissance style, towers over all other houses. A clockwork and a bell tower "crown" the former town hall.
Saint Nicholas Church
The roof turret of the St. Nicholas Church can be seen from afar . The size of the church is surprising. The church more than lives up to its name, Grote of Sint Nicolaaskerk . The church interior is 82.5 m long, 28.5 m wide and 24.9 m high.
Association
There is a football club and a golf club in Brouwershaven, the 1st Golfclub Brouwershaven . There is also a water sports association.
Web links
- Place website (Dutch)
- Brouwershaven: Website of the VVV Zeeland tourist association (German, Dutch, English)
- Illustration by Daniel Meisner from 1626: Brovershaven. Fama bona imortalis ( digitized version )
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2017 Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek , accessed on April 7, 2018 (Dutch)
Brouwershaven | Bruinisse | Three choir | Ellemeet | Haamstede | Kerkwerve | Nieuwerkerk | Noordgouwe | Noordwelle | Oosterland | Ouwerkerk | Renesse | Scharendijke | Serooskerke | Zierikzee | Zonnemaire