Alkmaar
Alkmaar | |
---|---|
![]() De Bierkade | |
![]() Location in North Holland | |
Coordinates:52°38′N4°45′E/ 52.633°N 4.750°E | |
Country | Netherlands |
Province | North Holland |
Government | |
• Body | Municipal council |
•Mayor | Anja Schouten |
Area | |
• Total | 117.35 km2(45.31 sq mi) |
• Land | 110.46 km2(42.65 sq mi) |
• Water | 6.89 km2(2.66 sq mi) |
Elevation | 1 m (3 ft) |
Population (November 2022)[4] | |
• Total | 111,766 |
• Density | 1,012/km2(2,620/sq mi) |
Demonym(s) | Alkmaarder (Informal) Kaaskop |
Time zone | UTC+1(CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2(CEST) |
Postcode | 1800–1831 |
Area code | 072 |
Website | www |
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Alkmaar-plaats-OpenTopo.jpg/250px-Alkmaar-plaats-OpenTopo.jpg)
Alkmaar(Dutch pronunciation:[ˈɑl(ə)kmaːr] ) is acityandmunicipalityin theNetherlands,located in theprovinceofNorth Holland.Alkmaar is well known for its traditional cheese market. For tourists, it is a popular cultural destination. The municipality has a population of 111,766 as of 2023.[4]
History
[edit]The earliest mention of the name Alkmaar is in a 10th-century document. As the village grew into a town, it was grantedcity rightsin 1254. The oldest part of Alkmaar lies on an ancient sand bank a couple of meters (yards) above the surrounding region; it afforded some protection frominundationduringmedievaltimes. Its vicinage consists of some of theoldestpoldersin existence. Older spellings includeAlckmar.[5]
On June 24, 1572, after theGeuzencaptured the town, fiveFranciscansfrom Alkmaar were taken toEnkhuizenand hanged, becoming themartyrs of Alkmaar.
Siege of Alkmaar
[edit]In 1573 the city underwent asiegeby Spanish forces under the leadership ofDon Fadrique,son of theDuke of Alva.The citizens sent urgent messages for help to thePrince of Orange;he responded by promising to open the floodgates of the dykes and flood the region if the need arose, which despite the protestations of the peasantry, fearful for their harvest, he proceeded to do.
Some of his dispatches fell into the hands of Don Fadrique, and, with the waters beginning to rise, the Spaniards raised the siege and fled. It was a turning point in theEighty Years Warand gave rise to the expressionBij Alkmaar begint de victorie( "Victory begins at Alkmaar" ). The event is still celebrated every year in Alkmaar on 8 October, the day the siege ended.
Since the French Revolutionary Wars
[edit]In 1799, during theFrench Revolutionary Wars,an Anglo-Russian expeditionary force captured the city but was ultimately defeated in theBattle of Castricum.After that battle, on 18 October 1799, the two opposing sides held theConvention of Alkmaarwhich met to determine the fate of the defeated Anglo-Russian force. The French victory was commemorated on theArc de TriompheinParisas "Alkmaer".
TheNorth Holland Canal,opened in 1824, was dug through Alkmaar. In 1865 and 1867 the railways between Alkmaar and Den Helder and between Alkmaar and Haarlem were built respectively.
In the second half of the 20th century, Alkmaar expanded quickly with development of new neighbourhoods. On 1 October 1972, the town of Oudorp and the southern portions of Koedijk and Sint Pancras were added to the municipality of Alkmaar.[6]
Administrative divisions
[edit]Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
1398 | 3,800 | — |
1514 | 4,179 | +0.08% |
1622 | 12,417 | +1.01% |
1632 | 13,200 | +0.61% |
1660 | 13,650 | +0.12% |
1732 | 12,500 | −0.12% |
1795 | 7,514 | −0.80% |
Source:Lourens & Lucassen 1997,pp. 54–55 |
The municipality of Alkmaar historically consists of the following cities, towns, villages and districts: Alkmaar, Bergermeer, Daalmeer, De Hoef, De Horn, De Nollen, Het Rak, Huiswaard,Koedijk(southeastern part), Overdie,Oudorpand Omval. On 1 January 2015 the municipalities ofGraft-De RijpandSchermerwere merged into Alkmaar. The historical village ofDe Rijpis thus since a part of Alkmaar.
These once separate villages are now all linked together by the suburban sprawl of buildings that arose between the late 1970s and early 1990s. During this time, the population of Alkmaar almost doubled.
Local government
[edit]The municipal council of Alkmaar consists of 39 seats, which are divided as follows after the 2022 elections:[7]
- D66– 5 seats
- OPA– 5 seats
- GroenLinks– 5 seats
- BAS – 4 seats
- VVD– 4 seats
- PvdA– 3 seats
- CDA– 3 seats
- Leefbaar Alkmaar – 3 seats
- Partij voor de Dieren– 2 seats
- Senior's Party of Alkmaar (Senioren Partij Alkmaar) – 2 seats
- FvD– 1 seat
- SP– 1 seat
- ChristenUnie- 1 seat
Transport
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Alkmaar_-_Luttik_Oudorp_lente.jpg/220px-Alkmaar_-_Luttik_Oudorp_lente.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Alkmaar.jpg/220px-Alkmaar.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/North_gable_of_the_Beer_Museum_in_Alkmaar.jpg/220px-North_gable_of_the_Beer_Museum_in_Alkmaar.jpg)
TheA9 motorwayruns fromAmsterdamto Alkmaar, then continues on toDen Helderas the N9.
There are direct trains toDen Helder,Hoorn,Zaandam,Amsterdam,Utrecht,Ede,Arnhem,Nijmegen,'s-Hertogenbosch,Eindhoven,MaastrichtandHaarlem.For exact details seeAlkmaar railway station.
Alkmaar has two railway stations:
The waterwayNoordhollandsch Kanaal,which opened in 1824, runs through Alkmaar. As of 2017[update].it can be crossed (among other ways) using two of the five operatingvlotbruggen,Koedijkervlotbrug and Rekervlotbrug.
Main sights
[edit]Alkmaar has many medieval buildings that are still intact, most notably the tall tower of theGrote or Sint-Laurenskerk,where many people from Alkmaar hold wedding ceremonies. The other main attraction, especially in the summer months, is Alkmaar's cheese market at the Waagplein, one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. The cheese market traditionally takes place from the first Friday in April through the first Friday in September. Every Friday morning (10:00–12:30) the Waagplein is the backdrop for this traditional cheese market. After the old-fashioned way of the hand clap, traders and carriers will weigh the cheeses. It is one of only four traditionalDutch cheese marketsstill in existence. The traditional fare of this cheese market is those cheeses made in the local area, as opposed to the well-known brands of Dutch cheeses, including theEdamandGouda cheeses.It is not actually possible to buy cheese at the market itself, which is really only a demonstration of how this merchants' market operated in times gone by. However, the demonstration, which takes place in front of the medieval weighing house, is surrounded by many specialized stalls where it is possible to buy all kinds of cheese (and non-cheese) related products. TheWaagis also home to the local tourist office and a cheese museum. Alkmaar has 399 registeredrijksmonuments,of which most are situated along the city's old canals.[8]
Alkmaar has two large theatres and a big cinema (which was originally two cinemas). Ared light districtis situated at theAchterdam,and Alkmaar has a nightlife scene as well which takes place in the pubs in front of the cheesemarket. Every year, at the end of May Alkmaar hosts the four-day event Alkmaar Pride, which has acanal pride paradeon Saturday.[9]
Museums
[edit]- Beatles Museum – dedicated toThe Beatles,asJohn Lennon's first guitar was made in Alkmaar
- Holland Cheese Museum – located in the historicweigh house
- National Beer Museum "De Boom"
- Op ArtMuseum - closed since 2014
- City Museum Alkmaar– for history of the city
Sports
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/AFAS_stadion.jpg/220px-AFAS_stadion.jpg)
Alkmaar is home to the professionalfootballteamAZ(Alkmaar Zaanstreek). In 2006, the club moved to a new 17,000 capacity stadium, the DSB Stadion, now named theAFAS Stadion.In2008–2009,AZ won theEredivisie,the Dutch football league. It was the second league title for the club after the Eredivisie in 1980/81 with only one league defeat. Notable coaches include formerFC BarcelonacoachRonald Koeman,andNetherlands national football teamcoachLouis van Gaal.
The city also has avelodromewhere the Dutch nationaltrack cyclingchampionships are held every year. The city hosted the2019 European Road Championships.
Notable residents
[edit]Public thinking & public service
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Cornelis_van_der_Lijn.jpg/140px-Cornelis_van_der_Lijn.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Patrick_Cammaert.jpg/140px-Patrick_Cammaert.jpg)
- Isaac Dorislaus(1595–1649) a Dutch Calvinist historian and lawyer[10]
- Jan Janse de Weltevree(1595 in De Rijp –??) a Dutch sailor, the first Dutchman to visitKorea
- Cornelis van der Lijn(1608–1679)Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies1646-1650 and elected Mayor of Alkmaar in 1668
- Bernard Nieuwentyt(1654 in West-Graftdijk – 1718) a Dutch philosopher, mathematician, physician and magistrate
- Anna Smitshuizen(1751–1775) the victim of acause célèbremurder
- Kees Boeke(1884–1966) a Dutch reformist educator, Quaker missionary and pacifist
- Nicolette Bruining(1886–1963) a Dutch theologian, teacher and humanitarian in WWII
- Geertruida Wijsmuller-Meijer(1896–1978) a resistance fighter, saved Jewish children
- Cornelis Berkhouwer(1919–1992) politician,President of the European Parliament1973-1975
- Rudi Vis(1941–2010) British Labour politician,MP1997 to 2010
- Jaap Pop(born 1941) a former Dutch politician, Mayor of Alkmaar 1988-1995
- Sybilla Dekker(born 1942) a retired Dutch politician and businesswoman
- Ronald Bandell(1946–2015) a Dutch civil servant, politician and Mayor of Alkmaar 1995–2000
- Jos Punt(born 1946) bishop in theRoman Catholic Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam
- Patrick Cammaert(born 1950) a retired Dutch general and commander of UN peacekeeping missions
The arts
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Roderick_Teerink_in_Japan.jpg/140px-Roderick_Teerink_in_Japan.jpg)
- Maria Tesselschade Roemers Visscher(1594–1649),poetandengraver
- Pieter van Schaeyenborgh(1600–1657), painter known for pictures of fish; worked in Alkmaar from 1635
- brothersCaesar van Everdingen(1616/7-1678) &Allaert van Everdingen(1621–1675)[11]Dutch Golden Agepainters
- Emanuel de Witte(1617–1692) a Dutch perspective painter of genre paintings
- Willem de Fesch(1687–1761) a virtuoso Dutchvioloneplayer and composer
- Geertruida Bosboom-Toussaint(1812–1886) a Dutch novelist[12]
- Cécile de Jong van Beek en Donk(1866–1944) a Dutch feminist writer
- Dirk Smorenberg(1883–1960) a DutchArt Decopainter
- Jan Wils(1891–1972) a Dutch architect and founding member of theDe Stijlmovement
- Jan Gerrit van Gelder(1903–1980) a Dutch art historian
- Ans Wortel(1929–1996) a Dutch painter, poet and writer
- Rudi Carrell(1934–2006) entertainer, hosted his own TV show[13]
- Dan van der Vat(1939–2019) a journalist, writer and military historian
- Angela Groothuizen(born 1959) a Dutch singer, artist and TV personality[14]
- Karin Bloemen(born 1960) is a Dutch actress and singer[15]
- Lorena Kloosterboer(born 1962) a Dutch-Argentine artist who paints usingtrompe-l'œil
- Joost Zwagerman(1963–2015) a Dutch writer, poet and essayist[16]
- Marco Borsato(born 1966) a Dutch singer[17]
- Edwin Brienen(born 1971) a Dutch film director, actor, producer and journalist[18]
- Hellen van Meene(born 1972) a Dutch photographer known for her portraits
- Tom Six(born 1973) a Dutch horror filmmaker, writer and actor[19]
- Roderick Teerink(born 1976) a Dutch-Argentine actor and music producer[20]
- Melissa Venema(born 1995) a Dutch trumpet player
Science & business
[edit]- Petrus Forestus(1521–1597) a prominentphysicianof theDutch Republic
- Adriaan Anthonisz(1527–1607) a mathematician, surveyor, cartographer, military engineer andburgomasterof Alkmaar
- Willem Blaeu(1571–1638) a Dutch cartographer, atlas maker and publisher
- Adriaan Metius(1571–1635) a Dutchgeometerandastronomer
- Cornelis Drebbel(1572–1633) a Dutch engineer, in 1620 built the first navigable submarine
- Jan Leeghwater(1575 in De Rijp – 1650) a Dutch architect, mill builder and hydraulic engineer
- Joan Blaeu(1598–1673) a Dutch cartographer
- Adriaan Reland(1676 in De Rijp – 1718) a Dutch Orientalist scholar and cartographer
- Hendrik Willem Bakhuis Roozeboom(1854–1907) a Dutch chemist who studiedphase behaviourinphysical chemistry
- Alfred Peet(1920–2007) founder of American coffee retailerPeet's Coffee & Tea
- Jacob Gelt Dekker(1948 in Oterleek– 2019) a Dutch businessman, philanthropist and writer
Sport
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Maarten_van_der_Weijden_%282008-08-25%29.jpg/140px-Maarten_van_der_Weijden_%282008-08-25%29.jpg)
- Harm Ottenbros(born 1943) a former Dutch road bicycle racer, 1969 world champion
- Dick Quax(1948–2018) a Dutch-born New Zealand long-distance runner
- Hans Nijman(1959–2014) a Dutch former mixed martial artist and professional wrestler
- Richard Goulooze(born 1967) a Dutch former professional footballer with 351 club caps
- Michel Vonk(born 1968) a Dutch former professional footballer with 342 club caps
- Jakko Jan Leeuwangh(born 1972) a former speed skater
- Macha van der Vaart(born 1972) a Dutch field hockey player, team bronze and silver medallist at the2000and2004 Summer Olympics
- Steven de Jongh(born 1973) a Dutch former road bicycle racer
- brothersYuri Cornelisse(born 1975) &Tim Cornelisse(born 1978) Dutch retired footballers with 371 and 445 club caps
- Jochem Verberne(born 1978) rower, team silver medallist in the2000 Summer Olympics
- Maarten van der Weijden(born 1981) a Dutch long distance and marathon swimmer;Dutch Sportsman of the year2008
- Theo Bos(born 1983) a Dutch road and track cyclist
- Wesley Harms(born 1984) a Dutch professional darts player
- Gago Drago(born 1985) an Armenian-Dutch welterweight kickboxer
- Dewi Claire Schreefel(born 1985) a Dutch female professional golfer on theLPGA Tour
- Tom Büdgen(born 1985) a Dutch professional wrestler who previously worked inWWE,currently signed toAll Elite Wrestlingunder the ring name Malakai Black
- Yvonne Hak(born 1986) a Dutch middle-distance runner, won gold at the2010 European Athletics Championships
- Nycke Groot(born 1988) a Dutch handball player, 141 caps with thewomen's national team
- Joyce Sombroek(born 1990) a Dutch field hockey goalkeeper, team gold and silver medallist at the2012and2016 Summer Olympics
- Indy Dontje(born 1992) a Dutch racing driver
Twin towns—sister cities
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Old_Alkmaar_plaque%2C_Amsterdam_Museum.jpg/165px-Old_Alkmaar_plaque%2C_Amsterdam_Museum.jpg)
Alkmaar istwinnedwith:
Gallery
[edit]-
De Rijp
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Townhall tower
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Kennemerstraatweg
-
De Mientnear the Biermuseum
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Grote Dam
-
View to a street:De Laatwith its former church
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Weighing house (Waag) and cheese museum
References
[edit]- ^"College van burgemeester en wethouders"[Board of mayor and aldermen] (in Dutch). Gemeente Alkmaar. Archived fromthe originalon 25 February 2014.Retrieved19 February2014.
- ^"Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2020"[Key figures for neighbourhoods 2020].StatLine(in Dutch).CBS.24 July 2020.Retrieved19 September2020.
- ^"Postcodetool for 1815AG".Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland(in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Archived fromthe originalon 21 September 2013.Retrieved19 February2014.
- ^ab"Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand".CBS Netherlands(in Dutch). 4 January 2023.Retrieved17 January2023.
- ^Amsterdam Museum, Amsterdam
- ^Ad van der Meer and Onno Boonstra,Repertorium van Nederlandse gemeenten,KNAW, 2011.
- ^"Definitieve uitslag Gemeenteraadsverkiezingen 2022 - gemeente Alkmaar".Kiesraad Databank Verkiezingsuitslagen.16 March 2022.Retrieved17 January2023.
- ^nl:Lijst van rijksmonumenten in Alkmaar.
- ^"Home".alkmaarpride.nl.
- ^Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 08 (11th ed.). 1911. .
- ^Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 10 (11th ed.). 1911. .
- ^Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 04 (11th ed.). 1911. .
- ^IMDb Databaseretrieved 16 February 2020
- ^IMDb Databaseretrieved 16 February 2020
- ^IMDb Databaseretrieved 16 February 2020
- ^IMDb Databaseretrieved 16 February 2020
- ^IMDb Databaseretrieved 16 February 2020
- ^IMDb Databaseretrieved 16 February 2020
- ^IMDb Databaseretrieved 16 February 2020
- ^IMDb Databaseretrieved 13 April 2021
- ^"Bath's Twinning Associations".The Mayor of Bath.Archived fromthe originalon 17 May 2011.Retrieved15 July2013.
- ^"Town Twinning".Bath and North East Somerset Council.Archived fromthe originalon 27 October 2007.Retrieved12 December2007.
- ^"Städtepartnerschaften und Internationales".Büro für Städtepartnerschaften und internationale Beziehungen(in German). Archived fromthe originalon 23 July 2013.Retrieved26 July2013.
Literature
[edit]- Lourens, Piet; Lucassen, Jan (1997).Inwonertallen van Nederlandse steden ca. 1300–1800.Amsterdam: NEHA.ISBN9057420082.
External links
[edit]Media related toAlkmaarat Wikimedia Commons
Alkmaartravel guide from Wikivoyage
- Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 01 (11th ed.). 1911. .
- Official website– City of Alkmaar