(population 119,649 in 2004), or in English: Dort, is a city and municipality in the Dutch province of South Holland, the third largest city of the province. The municipality covers the entire Dordrecht Island, bordered by the rivers Oude Maas, Beneden Merwede, Nieuwe Merwede, Hollands Diep, and Dordtsche Kil.
The name Dordrecht comes from Thuredrith, meaning "Thure river crossing". Some documentation speaks of the river actually called Thuredrith. Inhabitants of Dordrecht are Dordtenaren (singular: Dordtenaar). Dordrecht is informally called Dordt.
Partner cities of Dordrecht are:
During Carnaval, Dordrecht is called Ooi- en Ramsgat (Ewe's and Ram's hole), and its inhabitants are Schapenkoppen (Sheepheads). Throughout the year, tourists can buy sheep related souvenirs. This name originates from an old folk story about tax evasion. Import of meat or beef cattle was taxed in the 17th century. Two men dressed a sheep they bought outside the city walls to make it look like a man. The sheep was uncovered because it bleated as the three men (two men and one sheep) passed through the city wall gate.
History
The city was formed along the Thure river, in the midst of peat swamps. This river was a branch of the river Dubbel and ran approximately near the current Bagijnhof. In 1049 the first reference to Dordrecht was made. Count Dirk IV was murdered that year near "Thuredrech".
Dordrecht was granted city rights by William I, Count of Holland, in 1220, making it the oldest city in Holland.
In 1253 a Latin school was founded in Dordrecht. It still exists today as the Johan de Witt Gymnasium and is the oldest gymnasium in the Netherlands. From 1600 to 1615 Gerhard Johann Vossius was rector at this school.
On 17th April 1421, the Saint Elisabeth flood drowned large parts of southern Holland, causing Dordrecht to become an island. Over one hundred thousand people died in the flood. Because of its strategic location the city developed into an important market city. It traded primarily in wine, wood, and cereals.
In 1572, representants of all cities from Holland gathered in Dordrecht to declare their independence of Spain and acknowledge William of Orange as the leader of the fledgling Dutch state.
In 1618/1619, an important religious meeting took place, called the synod of Dordrecht, deciding between two main factions in the Dutch reformed church, and planning for the Statenvertaling, the first Dutch Bible translation. A center of Anabaptist activity in the 17th century, Mennonite leaders adopted the Dordrecht Confession of Faith here on April 21, 1632.
From 1780 to 1787, Dordrecht was home to the Patriots faction which intended to remove the hereditary Stadtholder position held by the House of Orange-Nassau. The Netherlands was after all a republic de jure. Soon after, more cities followed and William V fled from Holland. But his brother-in-law, King Frederick William II of Prussia, came to the aid of William V and on 18 september 1787, Dordrecht capitulated to Prussian troops. The Patriots were defeated and Willem V was restored in his position as Stadtholder.
In the 18th century, the importance of Dordrecht started to diminish, and Rotterdam became the main city in the region. Yet throughout the centuries, Dordrecht held a key position in the defense of Holland. It hosted an army division well into the 20th century. During the mobilization of August 1939, infantry and artillery was sent to Dordrecht to defend the island.
At the end of the Second World War during the winter of 1944-45, Dordrecht and its surroundings were in the middle between the opposing armies. The border between occupied and liberated regions ran along the Hollands Diep.
In 1970, the municipality Dubbeldam (then ca. 10.000 inhabitants) and the southern part of municipality Sliedrecht were added to Dordrecht, making Dordrecht Island one municipality.
Economy
The current economy of Dordrecht is based on ship building, wood industry, and steel industry. The city has the sixth largest sea port in the Netherlands. One of the largest employers on Dordrecht Island is DuPont de Nemours (Nederland) B.V. It has 9 factories here with a workforce of 900 people.
Together with Zwijndrecht, Papendrecht, and Sliedrecht (the "Drecht Cities"), Dordrecht is planning a new ambitious vision to revitalize the region's economy, moving from industry to more business services.
In development are the "Learning" and "Health" Business Parks. The Learning Park is intended to have 60,000 m² of space for educational institutions. In the Health Park, a wide range of health services will be located, with the Dordwijk Campus of the Albert Schweitzer Hospital as focal point. Other services include a blood bank, pharmacy, and mental health clinic.
Near the Health Park a new Sport Park will be built. A new large sport centre, the equivalent size of 3 soccer fields, is planned complete with gyms, skating rink, and a pool. Next to this Sport Park, a huge outdoor event terrain will be established.
Places of interest
Public transport
Famous people from Dordrecht
:See also :Category:People from Dordrecht|People from Dordrecht
Honorary citizens of Dordrecht
Image gallery
Image:hofstraat.jpg|Hofstraat
Image:Dordrecht_Grote_Kerk_toren.jpg|Grote Kerk
Image:Dordrecht Groothoofdspoort2.jpg|Groothoofdspoort
Image:Building-hof10.jpg|Het Hof (The Court)
Image:Gebroeders de Witt voor de Centrale Bibliotheek.jpg|Statue of brothers 'de Witt' in front of the library
Image:Cityhalldordrecht.jpg|City Hall
Image:Pottenkade.jpg|Pottenkade next to the Grote Kerk
Image:Cyckoverdendyck.jpg|Windmill 'Kyck over den Dyck'
External links
