Echt, Netherlands facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Echt Ech  (Limburgish)
City
The Sint-Landricuskerk
Flag Coat of arms
Echt Location in Netherlands Show map of Netherlands Echt Location in Limburg, Netherlands Show map of Limburg, Netherlands
Country	Netherlands
Province	Limburg
Municipality	Echt-Susteren
Area
• Total	12.35 km2 (4.77 sq mi)
Elevation	26 m (85 ft)
Population  (2021)
• Total	7,655
• Density	619.84/km2 (1,605.4/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	6101
Dialing code	0475

Echt is a city in the Netherlands. It is located in the province of Limburg. Echt is part of the Echt-Susteren municipality.

Before 2003, Echt was its own municipality. It joined with the municipality of Susteren on January 1, 2003. The old municipality of Echt had about 19,300 people. It covered an area of about 75.13 square kilometers.

History of Echt

Echt has a long and interesting history. It was first mentioned in records way back in the 7th century. At that time, it was a village.

Early Records and Ownership

Between the years 928 and 939, a noblewoman named Gerberga of Saxony gave the land of "Ettha," which included its church, to the St. Servatius community in Maastricht.

Later, around 1075 or 1076, Gerard I, Count of Guelders received the estate of Echt. He got it as a loan from Albert III, Count of Namur. However, some old papers from Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor in 1087 tell a different story. They say that Gerard I of Guelders had taken the church of Echt illegally. This church actually belonged to the St. Servatius Chapter. An important court in Aachen decided that the church of Echt should be given back to the Maastricht chapter.

Becoming a Town

The local leaders of Echt, called aldermen, were first mentioned in 1259. They even had their own special seal. By 1590, Echt was known as a "Minderstädteof," which means a small town. It was part of the States of Upper Guelders.

Small towns like Echt had fewer legal and economic benefits than bigger cities such as Roermond. Still, Echt had some important features. It had a defensive wall with gates, a hospital, and a cloth hall. A city moat (a ditch filled with water for defense) was built after the mid-1200s.

Wars and Changes

Echt faced many challenges over the centuries. In May 1397, during a war between Brabant and Gelderland, soldiers from Liège destroyed the fortified town. In 1473, Charles the Bold took over the city. Then, in 1497, Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor captured its castle. But the people of Guelders soon got their city back.

In 1556, during the Eighty Years' War, the city was looted by soldiers. Echt changed hands many times during this period. It suffered a lot of damage. By the end of the war, only the canals of the old defenses were left.

After many wars and diseases, the population of Echt dropped a lot. For a while, it was seen more as a village. But after 1630, it was consistently called a city again, even by its own leaders.

In 1713, after the War of the Spanish Succession, Echt became part of the Dutch Republic. This happened with Venlo and Montfort. In 1795, the French took over Guelders. Echt became part of French departments.

Places to See in Echt

Echt has several interesting places to visit. These include old churches and monasteries.

• Sint Landricuskerk: This is a Catholic church. It is built in the Gothic style.
• Lilbosch Abbey: This is a monastery where Trappists monks live.
• Carmelite Monastery: This monastery was started in 1879. It is famous because Edith Stein lived there.
• Huis Verduynen: This is a large house with a moat around it. It was first mentioned in 1400 and rebuilt in 1667.
• Sint-Rochus chapel: This small chapel was built in 1686 and rebuilt in 1910.
• Chapel of Our Lady: This chapel dates back to the 17th century.

Echt's Economy

Echt has been an important place for making roof tiles since the late 1800s. This industry was very important for the town.

Today, Echt has two main business parks. These are called De Berk and De Loop. They provide many jobs for the people living in and around Echt.

Nature and Landscape

Echt is located near the Maas river. It is about 28 meters above sea level. To the west of Echt, you can find industrial areas. There is also a motorway and the Juliana Canal.

To the east of Echt, there are small villages like Schilberg and Hingen. The church village of Pey is also nearby. Other close villages include Gebroek, Slek, and Ophoven to the south. Aasterberg is to the west, and Berkelaar is to the north.

Getting Around Echt

Echt is easy to reach by different types of transport.

• Highways: Echt is close to the A2 and A73 highways.
• Train: The Echt railway station is served by NS, which stands for Dutch Railways.
• Water: Echt has its own quay (a place for boats to dock) on the Juliana Canal.

Famous People from Echt

Many notable people have come from Echt.

• Piet van den Brekel (1932–1999): A Dutch racing cyclist.
• Annefleur Bruggeman (born 1997): A Dutch handball player.
• Rob Ehrens (born 1957): A Dutch equestrian (horse rider).
• Maud Hawinkels (born 1976): A Dutch TV presenter.
• Adrian van Hooydonk (born 1964): A Dutch car designer.
• Theo van der Leeuw (born 1949): A Dutch racing cyclist.
• Ien Lucas (born 1955): A Dutch visual artist.
• Ria Oomen-Ruijten (born 1950): A Dutch politician.
• Ben Scheres (born 1960): A Dutch scientist who studies how living things grow.
• Laurence Stassen (born 1971): A Dutch politician.
• Edith Stein (1891–1942): A German philosopher who became a Catholic nun.
• Sef Vergoossen (born 1947): A Dutch football manager.
• Jacques Verheyen (1911–1989): A Dutch glass artist and painter.
• Frans Wackers (born 1939): A medical doctor and research scientist.

Images for kids

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  Map of Echt by Jacob van Deventer, around 1550

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  Echt in 1866

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  Chapel of Our Lady

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  Northwest side of the Saint Landricuskerk

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  Corner house in Echt

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  Priests' choir in Lilbosch Abbey