Leerdam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leerdam
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City and former municipality
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City walls and Glass Centre
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Location of the former municipality in South Holland
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| Country | Netherlands | ||
| Province | Utrecht | ||
| Municipality | Vijfheerenlanden | ||
| Merged | 2019 | ||
| Population | |||
| • Total | 21,000 | ||
| Demonym(s) | Leerdammer | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postcode |
4140–4145, 4163
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| Area code | 0345 | ||
Leerdam (pronounced lehr-DAM) is a city in the western Netherlands. It used to be its own municipality. It is located in the province of Utrecht.
On January 1, 2019, Leerdam joined with two other municipalities, Vianen and Zederik. They formed a new municipality called Vijfheerenlanden. This new area is now part of the Utrecht province. Before this, Leerdam was part of the South Holland province.
The Linge river forms the southern edge of the town. Leerdam's name comes from a dam on the Lede river. The Lede was a branch of the Linge river. Leerdam is located near three major highways: A2, A15, and A27.
Contents
Leerdam's Past: A Look at History
Leerdam became an official city in 1407. The beautiful Linge river, with its green meadows, has always shaped the area. Centuries ago, Leerdam was part of a larger region called Vijfheerenlanden. This region became a County in 1498.
Becoming Part of the House of Orange
In 1551, Leerdam, along with Acquoy, became property of the House of Orange. This was a very important royal family. Leerdam then became part of the County of Holland.
Historic Buildings and Landmarks
You can still see Leerdam's rich history in its old buildings. These include the Grote Kerk (Great Church) and the Hofje van Mevrouw van Aerden. The Hofje is an old almshouse that is now a museum. You can also see parts of the old city walls on the Zuidwal and the Oude Raadhuis (Old City Hall).
Leerdam's Connection to a South African Fort
Between 1666 and 1679, the Dutch East India Company built a fort in Cape Town, South Africa. It is called the Castle of Good Hope. The corners of this fort were named after important people and places. Since Leerdam was part of the House of Orange-Nassau, one of the fort's corners was named Leerdam.
Glass Industry: A Major Attraction
Since the 1700s, Leerdam has been famous for its glass and timber industries. The glass made here is known around the world as Royal Leerdam. Special designer glass and glass art are called Royal Leerdam Crystal.
Visiting the Glass Centre
Leerdam is a popular place for tourists. You can visit the National Glass Museum and the Glass Centre. At the Glass Centre, you can watch glassblowing demonstrations. There are also several art galleries. These places make Leerdam a major tourist spot in the Netherlands.
Getting Around: Public Transport
The Leerdam railway station is on the Elst–Dordrecht railway line. This makes it easy to travel to and from Leerdam by train.
Famous People Born in Leerdam
Many notable people were born in Leerdam.
- Cornelis Pieter van den Hoek (1921–2015) was a brave resistance fighter during World War II.
- Jan van Houwelingen (1939–2013) was a well-known politician.
- Manon van Rooijen (born 1982) is a talented freestyle swimmer.
Images for kids
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Leerdam in 1866.
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An old map of the Vijfheerenlanden region from the 16th century.
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Two laughing boys with mug of beer by Frans Hals, displayed at the Hofje van Mevrouw van Aerden in Leerdam.
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See also
In Spanish: Leerdam para niños
