Gorinchem Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Gorinchem

Lingehaven in Gorinchem

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in South Holland

Country

Netherlands

Province

South Holland

Government

• Body

Municipal council

Area

• Total

21.93 km² (8.47 sq mi)

• Land

18.92 km² (7.31 sq mi)

• Water

3.01 km² (1.16 sq mi)

Elevation

2 m (7 ft)

Population

(May 2014)

• Total

35,271

• Density

1,864/km² (4,830/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Gorkumer

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postcode

4200–4208

Area code

0183

Map of Gorinchem (town), Sept. 2014

Gorinchem (say "GOR-kum"), also called Gorkum, is a city and a local government area (municipality) in the western part of the Netherlands. It is located in the province of South Holland. The Gorinchem municipality covers an area of about 21.93 km² (8.47 sq mi), with some of it being water. In 2014, about 35,271 people lived there.

The municipality of Gorinchem also includes a smaller town called Dalem.

A Look at Gorinchem's Past
People Living in Gorinchem
Getting Around Gorinchem
Famous People from Gorinchem
Gorinchem's International Friends
Images for kids
See also

A Look at Gorinchem's Past

The historic Dalem Gate

Gorinchem was likely started around the year 1000 AD. It was founded by fishermen and farmers. They built their homes on higher ground near where the Linge river meets the Merwede river. The name Goriks Heem (meaning "Home of Gorik") was first written down in a document from 1224. In this document, Floris IV said that people from Gorinchem did not have to pay tolls (fees) when traveling through Holland.

How Gorinchem Became a City

Between 1247 and 1267, Gorinchem became part of the land owned by the Lords of Arkel. By the late 1200s, people built earth mounds with wooden fences around the settlement. This was to protect it from nearby areas like Holland and Gelre. About 50 years later, strong city walls were built. These walls had 7 gates and 23 watchtowers. On November 11, 1322, Otto van Arkel officially gave Gorinchem its city rights. This meant it could govern itself more.

Later, Jan van Arkel had a disagreement with Albert I of Holland. This led to a war. In 1417, Gorinchem became part of Holland. This change helped trade grow, and Gorinchem became the eighth largest city in Holland.

Important Events in Gorinchem's History

In 1461, Charles the Bold built a palace in Gorinchem called the Blue Tower. However, this castle was taken down by 1578.

On July 9, 1572, a group of Dutch rebels called the Watergeuzen took over the city. They captured 19 Catholic priests and monks. These priests and monks refused to give up their faith. So, they were taken to Brielle and executed. Catholics later called them the Martyrs of Gorkum.

By the 1500s, the old city walls were falling apart. New, stronger defenses were built with eleven bastions. These new walls were finished in 1609. They were built further out, making the city twice as big. In 1673, Gorinchem became part of the old Dutch Water Line, a defense system using water.

The city walls had four main gates: the Arkel Gate (north), the Dalem Gate (east), the Water Gate (south), and the Kansel Gate (west). Today, only the Dalem Gate is still standing. The others were removed in the 1800s to make room for cars and other vehicles. A piece of the Water Gate is now in the gardens of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Map of Gorinchem from 1869.

In the 1700s, Gorinchem's economy slowed down. After the French rule, French soldiers stayed in Gorinchem's fortress. After a three-month siege, they gave up. But the city was badly damaged.

Growth and Modern Times

During the Industrial Revolution, Gorinchem started to recover. More shipping meant new canals were dug. A railway line also connected the city to other places. The number of people living in Gorinchem grew quickly. New neighborhoods had to be built outside the old city walls.

In the early 1900s, the city expanded into the Lingewijk and West areas. After World War II, more expansion happened in the northwest. This was finished in the 1970s. Then, new areas like Wijdschild and Laag Dalem were built east of the city center. In 1986, the town of Dalem became part of the Gorinchem municipality.

In August 2021, a Dutch travel organization called ANWB named Gorinchem the most beautiful star fort in the Netherlands.

People Living in Gorinchem

On January 1, 2021, Gorinchem had 37,456 residents.

Getting Around Gorinchem

Two major highways cross near the city. The A15 is on the north side, and the A27 is on the west side.

The city also has its own train station, called Gorinchem.

Famous People from Gorinchem

Many interesting people have come from Gorinchem.

Public Service and Thinkers

John V, Lord of Arkel (1362–1428): A leader in Holland, Zeeland, and West Frisia.
Henry of Gorkum (around 1378–1431): A Dutch religious scholar.
Willem Hessels van Est (1542–1613): A Dutch Catholic religious thinker.
Thomas van Erpe (1584–1624): A Dutch expert in Middle Eastern languages. He wrote an important book on Arabic grammar.
Dirk Rafelsz Camphuysen (1586–1627): A religious scholar, poet, and painter.
Johannes van Neercassel (1625–1686): An important religious leader, Archbishop of Utrecht.
Hendrik Hamel (1630–1692): A sailor and writer.
Aegidius van Braam (1758–1822): A Dutch naval vice-admiral.
Pierre van Paassen (1895–1968): A Dutch-Canadian-American journalist and writer.
Roger van Boxtel (born 1954): A retired Dutch politician and businessman who lives in Gorinchem.

Artists and Performers

Abraham Bloemaert (1566–1651): A Dutch painter and printmaker.
Anthonie Verstraelen (1593/1594–1641): A Dutch painter known for winter scenes.
Aert van der Neer (around 1603–1677): A famous Dutch landscape painter.
Cornelis Saftleven (around 1607–1681): A Dutch painter who worked in many styles.
Jacob van der Ulft (1621–1689): A Dutch painter, glass painter, and architect. He was also Mayor of Gorinchem from 1660 to 1679.
Hendrik Verschuring (1627–1690): A Dutch landscape painter.
Jan van der Heyden (1637–1712): A Dutch painter and artist.
Ida Gerhardt (1905–1997): A Dutch poet.
A. Teeuw (1921–2012): A Dutch expert in Indonesian literature.
Jan van Munster (1939–2024): A Dutch sculptor and installation artist.
Dinand Woesthoff (born 1972): A Dutch musician and lead singer of the band Kane.
Nikos Vertis (born 1976): A Greek singer.
Boaz de Jong (born 1988): Known as Boaz van de Beatz, a Dutch music producer and DJ.
Chu Lan-ting (born 1990): Known as Diana Wang, a Dutch-born Taiwanese singer and actress.

Science and Business Leaders

Gerard Boate (1604–1650): A doctor and writer.
Arnold Boate (1606–1653): A Dutch doctor and scholar of Hebrew.
Louis Jérôme Reiche (1799–1890): A French merchant and expert on insects.
Berend George Escher (1885–1967): A Dutch geologist and expert on volcanoes.
Frans Michel Penning (1894–1953): A Dutch experimental physicist.

Sports Stars

Ab Oord (1885–1961): A Dutch weightlifter who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics.
Hadriaan van Nes (born 1942): A retired rower who won a silver medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Ruud Brood (born 1962): A football manager and former player.
Arie Loef (born 1969): A retired speed skater who competed in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics.
Marco van Hoogdalem (born 1972): A retired Dutch football player.
Henk Norel (born 1987): A Dutch basketball player who played many games for the Netherlands national basketball team.
Frenkie de Jong (born 1997): A Dutch football player who currently plays for FC Barcelona.