- Brielle
:"This article is about a city in the Netherlands. There is also a
Brielle, New Jersey in the United States of America."Infobox Settlement
official_name = Brielle
flag_size = 120x100px
image_shield = Coat of arms of Brielle.png
shield_size = 120x100px
mapsize = 280px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name =Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 =South Holland
area_footnotes = (2006)
area_total_km2 = 31.12
area_land_km2 = 27.49
area_water_km2 = 3.63
population_as_of =1 January ,2007
population_note = Source: CBS, [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline] .
settlement_type = Municipality
population_total = 15922
population_density_km2 = 579
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd = 51.88
latNS = N
longd = 4.18
longEW = E
website = [http://www.brielle.nl www.brielle.nl] , at the mouth of the New Maas. The municipality covers an area of 31.12 km² (12.02 mile²) of which 3.63 km² (1.40 mile²) is water. In 2004 its population was 15,948.The municipality of Brielle also includes the communities
Vierpolders , andZwartewaal .In 1967, the
Queenborough (England ) and Brielle (Holland) twinning project was established.History
Brielle is a very old, fortified town. Its name is derived from the Celtic word "brogilo" (meaning "closed area" or "hunting grounds"). The oldest writings about Brielle indicate that the current location is the "new" Brielle. "Den ouden Briel" (Old Brill) must have been situated somewhere else on the
Voorne-Putten Island. It received city rights in1306 . The city was for a long time the seat of the Count of Voorne, until thisfiefdom was added to Holland in 1371. It had its own harbour and traded with the countries around theBaltic Sea . Brielle even had its own trading colony inSweden .During the
Eighty Years' War between the Netherlands andSpain , theCapture of Brielle on April 1, 1572, by Protestant rebels, the Watergeuzen, marked a turning point in the conflict, as many towns in Holland then began to support William of Orange against the Spanish DukeFernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba who was sent to pacify The Netherlands. This event is still celebrated each year on April 1 and the night before (known as Chalk Night (kalknacht) when the city is defaced with chalk - and now also white paint). Dutch students are taught a short rhyme to remember this fact::"Op 1 april verloor Alva zijn bril" translating into "On April 1st, Alva lost his glasses",("bril" is the Dutch word for "glasses". The same rhyme continues with the line "Op April zes verloor Alva zijn fles" "On April 6th Alva lost his bottle" in which the word "Fles" stands for the town of Vlissingen, which was the next town to be caught by the Dutch rebels.)
During this battle the Protestant rebels killed the catholic
Martyrs of Gorkum and Brielle has become a pilgrimage location since then.In August 1585, Brielle was one of the four Dutch towns that became an English possession by the
Treaty of Nonsuch when Queen Elizabeth I received it as security of payment for 5000 soldiers used by the Dutch in their struggle against the Spanish. In 1616, these cities returned to the Netherlands.Attractions
* The city is famed for its city fortifications complete with city moat.
* St. Catharijnekerk (Saint Catherine Church) - this church was intended to become the largest church in the Netherlands but never completed. In 1417 construction began but in 1456 it burnt down and in 1482 funding ran out and construction stopped. Only thenave and the 57 meter blunt tower were completed.
* There are many historic buildings in the centre, among which are the Arsenal from 1708 (now a library) and Old City Hall (now a museum).
* Brielse Lake (formerly Brielse Maas) - a popular area for water sports and recreation.Born in Brielle
*
Hendrik Speuy (1575) - organist and composer, contemporary ofJan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
* Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp (1598) - Lieutenant-Admiral and supreme commander of the Dutch Navy
*Witte Corneliszoon de With (1599) - Vice-Admiral and supreme commander of the Dutch Navy
*Philips van Almonde (1644) - Lieutenant Admiral of the Dutch Navy
*Toon Tellegen (1941) - writer, known for his children books
*Rob Romein (1949) - businessman, co-founder ofTulip Computers
*Natasja Froger (1965) - presentor of several TV programs and husband of singer Rene Froger
*Jaap Amesz (1982) - Competitor of the Real Life show "De Gouden Kooi" , he is nicknamed Terror JaapExternal links
* [http://www.brielle.nl Official Website] (some pages in English)
*http://www.plattegronden.nl/gemeentebrielle
*http://www.catharijnekerk.nl Website of St Catharijnekerk
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