Wijk bij Duurstede Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Wijk bij Duurstede

Aerial view of Wijk bij Duurstede

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in Utrecht

Wijk bij Duurstede

Location in Netherlands

Government

• Body

Municipal council

Area

• Total

50.25 km² (19.40 sq mi)

• Land

47.56 km² (18.36 sq mi)

• Water

2.69 km² (1.04 sq mi)

Elevation

5 m (16 ft)

Population

(May 2014)

• Total

23,072

• Density

485/km² (1,260/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postcode

3945–3947, 3960–3962

Area code

0343

Wijk bij Duurstede is a charming city and a municipality located in the central part of the Netherlands. It sits right on the Rhine river, which is a very important waterway in Europe. This area has a rich history, especially linked to an ancient trading town called Dorestad.

Towns and Villages
- Understanding the Area
Exploring Wijk bij Duurstede City
Famous People from Wijk bij Duurstede
Images for kids
See also

Towns and Villages

The municipality of Wijk bij Duurstede includes a few different places where people live. These are often called population centres.

Cothen
Langbroek
Wijk bij Duurstede (the main city)

Understanding the Area

Dutch Topographic map of the municipality of Wijk bij Duurstede, 2013.

This map shows the layout of the Wijk bij Duurstede municipality. You can see how the land is used and where the different towns are located. Topography describes the shape and features of the land, like rivers and hills.

Exploring Wijk bij Duurstede City

The city of Wijk bij Duurstede had about 23,377 people living there in 2007. It's famous for its location on the Rhine river. Here, the Kromme Rijn (which means Crooked Rhine) branches off. The main part of the river downstream from Wijk bij Duurstede is then called the Lek River.

What's in a Name?

The name 'Wijk bij Duurstede' means 'Neighbourhood by Duurstede'. Duurstede refers to a nearby castle or its ruins. This castle was once home to the bishop of Utrecht. The area is also linked to a very old and important place called Dorestad.

Dorestad and the Vikings

Long ago, Dorestad was a major Frisian trading settlement. It was a busy port during the time of the Carolingian Empire. However, around the year 850, the Vikings attacked and looted Dorestad. This event was a big deal in its history.

Unique Windmill and Church Tower

Wijk bij Duurstede is home to a very special windmill. It's believed to be the only drive-through windmill in the world!

The unique drive-through windmill in Wijk bij Duurstede.

Many people confuse this mill with the one made famous by a painting from 1670. That painting, called The windmill at Wijk bij Duurstede, was created by the famous artist Jacob Isaakszoon van Ruisdael.

Ruisdael's famous painting, The windmill at Wijk bij Duurstede.

Sadly, the mill in Ruisdael's painting no longer exists. You can still see its old foundations a few blocks away from the existing mill.

The city's market square features a church tower with a flat roof. This is quite unusual in the Netherlands. The story goes that the bishop couldn't afford to build a tall, pointy spire. Inside the tower, there's a picture showing how the tower was originally planned. It was supposed to be even taller than the famous Domtoren in Utrecht!

City Rights

Wijk bij Duurstede officially became a city in 1300. This meant it gained special privileges and could govern itself more independently.

Famous People from Wijk bij Duurstede

Many interesting people have connections to Wijk bij Duurstede.

Rorik of Dorestad (around 810–880): A Danish Viking who ruled parts of Frisia for many years.

Rorik by HW Koekkoek

Dirck van Baburen (around 1595–1624): A talented painter who was part of the Utrecht School of art.
Thomas van Rhee (1634–1701): He was a colonial administrator and served as the 13th Governor of Dutch Ceylon.
Dirk Fock (1858–1941): A politician and diplomat who became the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies.
Gerrit Achterberg (1905–1962): A well-known Dutch poet.
Everhardus Jacobus Ariëns (1918–2002): A pharmacologist and academic who studied how medicines work.
Johannes Alphonsus Huisman (1919-2003): A philologist, meaning he studied language in historical and cultural contexts.
Dick Kooijman (born 1972): A professional footballer who played in 322 club matches.