Puneet Varma (Editor)

Leerdam

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Country
  
Netherlands

Demonym(s)
  
Leerdammer

Postcode
  
4140–4145, 4163

Province
  
South Holland

Elevation
  
1 m (3 ft)

Time zone
  
CET (UTC+1)

Area code
  
0345

Local time
  
Tuesday 11:10 PM

Leerdam

Weather
  
9°C, Wind SW at 11 km/h, 93% Humidity

Points of interest
  
Nationaal Glasmuseum, Aqua Zoo Leerdam, Hofje van Mevrouw van Aerden, Nederlands Bridge Museum, Stichting Statenbijbel‑ en boeke

Holland leerdam marina hd


Leerdam ([leːrˈdɑm]; population: 20,563 in 2014) is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland.

Contents

Map of Leerdam, Netherlands

The municipality covers an area of 34.42 km2 (13.29 sq mi) of which 0.63 km2 (0.24 sq mi) is water. It comprises the town of Leerdam, the rural villages Kedichem, Schoonrewoerd and Oosterwijk. The south border of the town is formed by the river Linge. Leerdam is the most eastern town of the province of South Holland and is situated almost exactly in the middle of the three highways A2, A15 and A27.

History

Leerdam received city rights in 1407. The small river Linge, bordered by beautiful water meadows, defines the atmosphere and tone of the landscape. Several centuries ago Leerdam formed a part of the Vijfheerenlanden domain, before it was raised to the level of County in 1498.

In 1551, Leerdam, together with Acquoy, became property of the House of Orange and part of the County of Holland.

The rich history of Leerdam can be found in well-kept historic buildings such as the Grote Kerk (Great Church), the Hofje van Mevrouw van Aerden (Mrs. Aerden Almshouses, now a museum), the remaining and restored city walls on the Zuidwal and the Oude Raadhuis (Old City Hall).

Glass industry

Since the 18th century, the town's culture has been strongly influenced by the glass industry and the timber industry. The glass currently manufactured in Leerdam is internationally as known as Royal Leerdam or (particularly in respect of designer glass and glass art) as Royal Leerdam Crystal. This, with the National Glass Museum, the Glass Centre (with its glassblowing and demonstration activities), and several art galleries, make Leerdam a major tourist attraction in the Netherlands.

From Easter until the end of October international glassblowers work in the Glass Centre in Leerdam, which is open to the public.

Public transportation

The Leerdam railway station is situated on the Elst–Dordrecht railway.

Born in Leerdam

  • Cornelis Pieter van den Hoek (1921–2015), resistance fighter during World War II
  • Jan van Houwelingen (1939–2013), politician
  • Manon van Rooijen (born 1982), freestyle swimmer
  • References

    Leerdam Wikipedia