Lochem Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Lochem

City centre of Lochem

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in Gelderland

Government

• Body

Municipal council

Area

• Total

215.94 km² (83.37 sq mi)

• Land

213.20 km² (82.32 sq mi)

• Water

2.74 km² (1.06 sq mi)

Elevation

14 m (46 ft)

Population

(May 2014)

• Total

33,227

• Density

156/km² (400/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Lochemer

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postcode

7210–7218, 7240–7245

Area code

0573, 0575

Lochem is a friendly city and municipality in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It's located in the province of Gelderland. In 2005, Lochem joined with another area called Gorssel, but they kept the name Lochem. As of 2019, about 33,590 people lived there.

Exploring Lochem's Towns and Villages
- Lochem City's History
- Discovering Huis Verwolde Castle
Getting Around Lochem
Famous People from Lochem
Lochem's Rich Past
Gallery
See also

Exploring Lochem's Towns and Villages

Topographic map of the municipality of Lochem, 2015

The city of Lochem is the main center of the municipality. Other smaller places like Barchem and Laren were already part of Lochem before 2005. After the merger, villages such as Almen, Eefde, Epse, and Gorssel also became part of Lochem. This includes the small village of Harfsen.

Lochem City's History

Lochem is about 18 kilometers (11 miles) east of Zutphen. It was given special city rights in 1233. For a long time, until the 17th century, Lochem was often attacked and burned down. After the year 1700, it became a quiet market town. Farmers from nearby areas would come to sell their goods.

Discovering Huis Verwolde Castle

In the village of Laren, you can find a beautiful castle called Huis Verwolde. During the summer, you can take guided tours inside the castle. On the castle's land, there is a very old and famous tree. People say it's the thickest tree in the whole Netherlands. It's known as "de dikke boom van Verwolde."

Getting Around Lochem

Lochem has its own train station, called Lochem railway station. This station is on the train line that connects Zutphen and Glanerbeek. It makes it easy to travel to and from Lochem.

Famous People from Lochem

Many interesting people have come from Lochem and its surrounding areas.

Johan van Dorth (1574–1624) was a nobleman and general. He was also a local official (schout) in Lochem.
Robert Jasper van der Capellen (1743–1814) came from a noble family. He was an important figure in Guelders.
Carel de Villeneuve (1897–1974) was a lawyer. He directed business groups in Indonesia a long time ago.
Hans Jorritsma (born 1949) is a retired field hockey player. He competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Irma Boom (born 1960) is a Dutch graphic designer. She is very well-known for designing books.

Lochem's Rich Past

Lochem received its city rights in 1233 from Count Otto II of Guelders. It was a strong, walled town. Because of its location, it was often attacked and burned by different groups. These included the Bishop of Utrecht, the Duke of Burgundy, and Spanish soldiers.

Lochem played a part in the Eighty Years’ War. It managed to fight off several attempts by the Spanish army to capture it. In 1590, a local hero named Jan de Poorter stopped a Spanish plan. The Spanish tried to enter the city by hiding in hay wagons. After 1700, Lochem became a small market town for farmers. It also started to have some industries, like making leather, tobacco, and paper. From 1795 to 1813, the French army occupied Lochem. The town suffered from their demands and taking of goods. In 1818, Lochem became part of the new province of Gelderland.

In 1763, Lochem had a difficult event called the "Night of Fire" on Christmas. A group of young Germans set fire to the church and many other important buildings.

Lochem has many historical places to see. The St. Gudula Church is very old, dating back to the 11th century. It has a famous organ from 1834. The town also has a museum, a theater, and a place for music shows. The village of Laren, part of Lochem, is home to Huis Verwolde Castle. This castle was built in 1776 and you can visit it. Lochem is surrounded by beautiful nature. There are forests, hills, and open fields. This makes it a great place for hiking, cycling, and even golfing.