Oudewater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oudewater
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Oudewater town centre
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Location in Utrecht
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| Country | Netherlands | ||
| Province | Utrecht | ||
| Government | |||
| • Body | Municipal council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 40.10 km2 (15.48 sq mi) | ||
| • Land | 39.11 km2 (15.10 sq mi) | ||
| • Water | 0.99 km2 (0.38 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 2 m (7 ft) | ||
| Population
(May 2014)
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| • Total | 9,885 | ||
| • Density | 253/km2 (660/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postcode |
3420–3425
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| Area code | 0348 | ||
Oudewater is a small city and a municipality in the Netherlands. It's a historic place with many interesting stories. The name "Oudewater" means "Old water."
Contents
History of Oudewater
The city of Oudewater has a long and interesting past. No one knows exactly when the first people settled here. The name "Oudewater" might come from an old word meaning "old water-meadow".
Early Beginnings
Oudewater was once a very important city because it was on the border between two powerful regions: Holland and Utrecht. Being on the border made it a key location for defense.
In 1265, Oudewater was given special "city rights" by the bishop of Utrecht, Hendrik van Vianden. This meant the town could govern itself more and build walls for protection.
The Eighty Years' War
In 1572, Oudewater played a big role in the start of the Netherlands. The city joined a meeting in Dordrecht with other Dutch cities. This meeting helped create the country we know today, led by the House of Orange.
This happened during the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648). During this war, the Netherlands was fighting for its freedom from the Spanish Empire. In 1575, after a difficult siege, the Spanish army took over the city. Many people living there were killed. This included the family of a famous local thinker, Jacobus Arminius.
Rope Making and Province Change
For a long time, in the 1500s and 1600s, Oudewater was famous for making rope. Farmers in the area grew hemp, which is a plant used to make strong ropes. Today, you can still find a rope factory and a rope museum in the town.
In 1970, the municipality of Oudewater moved from the province of South Holland to the province of Utrecht.
Geography of Oudewater
Oudewater is located in the middle of the Netherlands. It's in the southwest part of the Utrecht province. The city is built where the Linschoten river flows into the Hollandse IJssel river.
Neighboring Areas
Oudewater shares its borders with several other municipalities. These include Montfoort to the northeast, Lopik to the southeast, Krimpenerwaard to the southwest, and Bodegraven-Reeuwijk to the northwest.
Parts of Oudewater
The municipality of Oudewater includes the main city of Oudewater and several smaller towns and villages. These are Diemerbroek, Hekendorp, Hoenkoop, Lange Linschoten, Papekop, Ruigeweide, and Snelrewaard.
Famous Buildings
Oudewater is well-known for its special building called the Heksenwaag, or "Witches' scales".
The Witches' Weigh House
During the 1500s, many people in Europe were accused of witchcraft. In many places, people thought to be witches were treated unfairly. But in Oudewater, the weigh house offered a fair chance to prove their innocence.
People from all over Europe traveled to Oudewater to be weighed. After being weighed, they received an official certificate saying they were not a witch. No one was ever found to be a witch in Oudewater! The certificates would say that "the body weight is in proportion to its build." This was because people used to believe that witches weighed much less than regular people, which would let them fly.
The weighings were a public event. By giving out these certificates, the people of Oudewater showed their independence. They were standing up against old beliefs and the power of the church.
Today, the Waag is a popular place for tourists. You can even get your own official certificate!
Other Important Buildings
- Town Hall: The town hall was built in 1588. It has a special feature: a stork's nest on its roof!
- Historic Center: Oudewater has a beautiful old city center. More than 250 houses there are protected because of their history.
- The Church: The main church in Oudewater was built in the 1400s. Its tower is even older, from around 1300. For a while, both Roman Catholics and Protestants used this church.
Oudewater in Stories and Films
Oudewater has been featured in books and movies.
- Das Geheimnis des Baron Oudewater: This romantic historical novel was written by German author Alberta Rommel in 1975. It's set in Oudewater during the 16th century, when the Netherlands was fighting for its freedom from Spain.
- Reckless: The 2014 film Reckless was filmed in Oudewater.
Famous People from Oudewater
Many talented people have come from Oudewater.
- Albert van Ouwater (around 1410–1475): An early Dutch painter.
- Gerard David (around 1460–1523): Another important early Dutch painter known for his bright colors.
- Rudolph Snellius (1546–1613): A Dutch expert in languages and math. He was very influential during the Dutch Golden Age.
- Jacobus Arminius (1560–1609): A Dutch religious thinker who started a movement called Arminianism.
- Hendrikus Albertus Lorentz (1871–1944): A Dutch explorer who traveled in New Guinea and worked as a diplomat.
- Jan Montyn (1924–2015): A Dutch artist famous for his etchings.
- Wim Klever (born 1930): A Dutch scholar who studies the philosopher Baruch Spinoza.
- Dirk de Ridder (born 1972): A sailor who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Images for kids
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Church near a canal
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Church: the Sint-Franciskuskerk from Waardsedijk
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View to the canal and the bridge from IJsselkade
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St.-Michaëls kerk, Oudewater
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Former townhall in 2013
See also
In Spanish: Oudewater para niños
