Middelburg

This is about the city in the Netherlands. For other uses, see Middelburg (disambiguation).

Nl-Middelburg.ogg 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

History 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 mansions of rich merchants that can be found in cities like Amsterdam. There are also many storehouses dating back to the 17th century along the canals. The old city moats are still there, as is one of the city gates, 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 bombed 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.

Education

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 and is the only university in the province of Zeeland

Transportation

Middelburg has a railway station with IC connections to Vlissingen, Goes, Roosendaal, Rotterdam, The Hague, Leiden, Schiphol International Airport and Amsterdam, among others.

Sport

Middelburg has a fieldhockey club, MMHC, and two football clubs: MZVC and FC Dauwendael.

External links

Official city website (in Dutch with a limited English section)
municipal data (in Dutch)
Website Roosevelt Academy
Map