Tiel Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Tiel

Fortified dyke in Tiel

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in Gelderland

Tiel

Location in Netherlands

Tiel

Location in Europe

Government

• Body

Municipal council

Area

• Total

34.81 km² (13.44 sq mi)

• Land

32.27 km² (12.46 sq mi)

• Water

2.54 km² (0.98 sq mi)

Elevation

7 m (23 ft)

Population

(May 2014)

• Total

41,723

• Density

1,293/km² (3,350/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Tielenaar

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postcode

4000–4007, 4013–4014, 4017, 4062

Area code

0344

Dutch Topographic map of Tiel (town), as of March 2014

Tiel (Dutch pronunciation: [til]) is a municipality and a town in the middle of the Netherlands. It's surrounded by the Waal and Linge rivers to the south and north. The Amsterdam-Rhine Canal is to its east. Tiel includes the smaller towns of Kapel-Avezaath, Tiel itself, and Wadenoijen. This historic city was founded a very long time ago, in the 5th century CE.

Exploring Tiel: A Town of Fruit and History
Tiel's Ancient Secrets: The Dutch Stonehenge
- Discovering the "Stonehenge of the Netherlands"
- What Was Found at the Site?
Famous People from Tiel
Images for kids
See also

Exploring Tiel: A Town of Fruit and History

Tiel is the biggest town in the Betuwe area. This region is famous for growing lots of fruit. You'll find orchards full of apples, pears, plums, and cherries here.

Tiel's Jam Factory and Famous Character

Tiel was once home to a well-known jam factory called De Betuwe. Even though the factory moved in 1993, a part of it was rebuilt later. To remember this sweet history, there's a jam making museum. You can also see a statue of Flipje, a fun raspberry-based comic character. Flipje was the star of De Betuwe's jam advertisements since the 1930s!

Tiel's Trading Past and Old Churches

Long ago, Tiel was located on the Linge river. It became a very important trading center in the early Middle Ages. This happened especially after another big trading town, Dorestad, declined in the 9th century. Tiel had two large churches. One, the St. Walburg church, belonged to the Teutonic Knights but disappeared after the Reformation. The other, the St. Maarten church, became a Protestant church. Sadly, a large part of the old town was damaged during World War II.

Fun Festivals in Tiel

Every year, Tiel hosts two exciting festivals. The Fruitcorso is held on the third Saturday in September. It celebrates the fruit harvest from the Betuwe area. During this festival, a parade of wagons decorated with fruit travels through the city. Another popular event is Appelpop. This is a free, two-day music festival held every year in September.

The Pewter Industry in Tiel

Tiel has also been known for its pewter industry. Pewter is a metal alloy, often used for decorative items. The last pewter factory and museum in Tiel, which made collectibles for tourists, closed down in 2004. But good news! It has since reopened.

Tiel's Ancient Secrets: The Dutch Stonehenge

Stonehenge of the Netherlands
Map of Tiel, Netherlands
Created	4000–4500 BCE
Discovered	2017
Present location	Tiel (Artifacts that were found) Multiple institutions, including the National Museum of Antiquity in Leiden and the Flipje & Streekmuseum

Many ancient objects from the Roman Empire have been found in Tiel. These include rings, statues, and grave stones.

Discovering the "Stonehenge of the Netherlands"

One of the most amazing discoveries in Tiel is an ancient site that is over 4,000 years old. Because it looks a bit like Stonehenge in southern England, local news called it the "Stonehenge of the Netherlands." This special place was used as a burial mound and for religious ceremonies. Its excavation, or digging up, started in 2017. According to Tiel's official website, this was the first discovery of its kind in the Netherlands!

What Was Found at the Site?

The main mound is about 20 meters (65 feet) wide. It contained the remains of around 60 people. Archaeologists found that its passages line up with the sun during equinoxes and solstices. This means it worked like a giant solar calendar!

Over one million objects have been found at the site. These items date back to the Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman Empire, and even the Middle Ages. The oldest things found are from around 2500 BCE.

One very exciting find was a glass bead. It's the oldest one ever discovered in the Netherlands. Archaeologists believe it came all the way from Mesopotamia, which is modern-day Iraq. This suggests that people living in Tiel during the Bronze Age had contact with groups more than 3,000 miles away! Other offerings found include animal skeletons, human skulls, and bronze spearheads.

Famous People from Tiel

General D H Chassé, 1832

Tiel has been home to many interesting people who have made a name for themselves.

People in Public Service

Joan van der Capellen tot den Pol (1741–1784) was a statesman who was active in the Batavian Republic.
David Hendrik Chassé (1765–1849) was a soldier who fought for and against Napoleon.
Theodoor Gerard van Lidth de Jeude (1788–1863) was a doctor, animal doctor, and zoologist.
Antonie Frederik Jan Floris Jacob van Omphal (1788–1863) was a lieutenant-general and a special helper to William III of the Netherlands.
Cornelis Pijnacker Hordijk (1847–1908) was a lawyer and politician. He was the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies from 1888 to 1893.
William Hendriksen (1900–1982) was a scholar who wrote Bible commentaries.
Marinus van IJzendoorn (born 1952) is a professor who studies human development.

Artists and Performers

Mary Dresselhuys, 1982

Annie Foore (1847–1890) was a writer who lived in the Dutch East Indies.
Mary Dresselhuys (1907–2004) was a famous stage actress.
Eylem Aladogan (born 1975) is an artist who creates installations and sculptures.
Frans Duijts (born 1979) is a singer.
Abdellah Dami (born 1982) is a journalist, presenter, and writer.
Corrie van Binsbergen (born 1957) is a jazz musician and composer.

Sports Stars

Wilma van Velsen, 1984

Herman Claudius van Riemsdijk (born 1948) is a chess player.
Jan van Deinsen (born 1953) is a football player.
Nico Rienks (born 1962) is a rower who won two gold medals at the Olympics in 1988 and 1996.
Anton Janssen (born 1963) is a football player.
Wilma van Velsen (born 1964) is a swimmer who won bronze and silver medals at the Olympics in 1980 and 1984.
Dirk Jan Derksen (born 1972) is a football player.
Bobbie Traksel (born 1981) is a racing cyclist.
Erik Pieters (born 1988) is a football player.
Barry Maguire (born 1989) is a football player.
Mattijs Branderhorst (born 1993) is a football player.