Doorn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doorn
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Gate house to Huis Doorn
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 Doorn
Location in Utrecht (province)
Doorn
Location in Netherlands
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| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | Utrecht |
| Municipality | Utrechtse Heuvelrug |
| Area | |
| • Total | 22.27 km2 (8.60 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 10,260 |
| • Density | 460.7/km2 (1,193.2/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code |
3941
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| Dialing code | 0343 |
Doorn is a lovely town located in the central Netherlands. It is part of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug municipality, which is in the province of Utrecht. About 10,000 people live in Doorn.
Contents
Discovering Doorn's Past
Doorn has a very old and interesting history. In documents from the years 885 to 896, the area was called "Thorhem." This name means "dwelling of Thor," who was the Norse God of Thunder.
Vikings and Ancient Worship
It is believed that Vikings, who were staying nearby in a place called Dorestad, gave Doorn its name. They thought the god Thor was worshipped there. Archeologists have even found proof of an old pagan worship site north of Doorn.
Castles and Churches
Around the year 1200, a large estate called Villa Thorhem existed here. Later, a castle was built in the 14th century. This castle is now known as Huis Doorn.
A church called the Maartenskerk (St. Martin's Church) was also built around 1200. It was made bigger in the 15th century. This church became a Protestant church around 1585 and is still used today. Another castle, Kasteel Moersbergen, was first mentioned in 1435.
How Doorn Grew
For a long time, the large estate around Huis Doorn meant the town of Doorn could not grow much. But after 1874, parts of the estate were sold off. This created space for the town to expand. Doorn grew a lot, especially after World War II.
Doorn Today
Doorn used to be its own separate municipality until 2006. Now, it is the main town in the larger municipality of Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
The town is also home to a major base for the Royal Dutch Marines. You can also find the Von Gimborn Arboretum near Doorn. This is a special garden that is part of the botanical gardens of Utrecht University. Doorn also has its own football club, Dev Doorn.
Famous People from Doorn
Several well-known people have lived in Doorn.
Wilhelm II
The last German Emperor, Wilhelm II, lived in Doorn. He moved to Huis Doorn in the center of the village after he was no longer emperor in 1918. He lived there for many years and passed away in Doorn in 1941.
Simon Vestdijk
Simon Vestdijk was a famous Dutch novelist. He lived in Doorn for most of his life, from 1939 to 1971. The beautiful landscapes around Doorn can be seen in the descriptions in many of his books.
Maarten Maartens
Maarten Maartens was a Dutch writer who wrote his books in English. He had a small castle built in Doorn called Zonheuvel, which means "Sun Hill." It was finished in 1903. Today, this castle is known as Maarten Maartenshuis and is part of a hotel and conference center.
See also
In Spanish: Doorn para niños
