Giessen, Netherlands facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Giessen
Village
Entrance of Giessen
Flag Coat of arms
Giessen Location in North Brabant Show map of North Brabant Giessen Location in Netherlands Show map of Netherlands
Country	Netherlands
Province	North Brabant
Municipality	Altena
Area
• Total	5.46 km2 (2.11 sq mi)
Elevation	1.7 m (5.6 ft)
Population  (2021)
• Total	1,645
• Density	301.3/km2 (780.3/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	4283
Dialing code	0183

Giessen is a small village in the Netherlands. It is located in the province of North Brabant. You can find it in the municipality of Altena. Giessen is about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) southeast of the city of Gorinchem.

Giessen's Past: A Look Back in Time

Giessen was first mentioned in old writings around the year 1178. The village got its name from a river, but exactly what the name means is not fully clear. Giessen grew up during the Middle Ages along the Afgedamde Maas river.

The Old Church and Its Story

The Dutch Reformed church in Giessen was built in the 14th century. It stands on a terp, which is a special artificial hill. People built these hills long ago to keep their homes safe from floods. In 1755, the church's tower fell down because of many floods. The church building was made bigger in 1856.

How Giessen Grew and Changed

In 1840, about 360 people lived in Giessen. For a long time, Giessen was its own separate municipality (like a small local government area). But in 1973, it became part of the municipality of Woudrichem. Today, Giessen and the nearby village of Rijswijk have grown together. They now form one continuous area.

Exploring Giessen: What to See

Giessen is an interesting place with some cool historical sights. It was once part of a big defense system called the New Dutch Water Line. This was a series of forts and water defenses built to protect the Netherlands.

Fort Giessen: A Historic Stronghold

One of the important parts of the Dutch Water Line is Fort Giessen. This fort was built between 1878 and 1881. It is still preserved today, showing how people used to defend the country.

Giessen Castle: A Hidden Discovery

In 2013, something exciting happened in Giessen. An old castle, known as Giessen Castle, was rediscovered! You can't see the castle itself anymore. However, there is a small monument that shows where it once stood. It's a reminder of the village's long history.

Famous Faces from Giessen

Giessen is home to some notable people.

• Carola Schouten (born 1977) is a well-known politician. A politician is someone who works in government. They help make decisions and laws for the country.

Gallery

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  The old Dutch Reformed church

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  A traditional farm building in Giessen

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  A building at Fort Giessen

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  A painting of Giessen by Eugen Jettel from 1886