Monnickendam (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌmɔnɪkənˈdɑm]) is a city in the Dutch province of North Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Waterland, and lies on the coast of the Markermeer, about 8 km (5.0 mi) southeast of Purmerend. It received city rights in 1355 and was damaged by the fires of 1500 and 1513.

Monnickendam
City
Monnickendam in 2010
Flag Coat of arms
The town centre (dark green) and the statistical district (light green) of Monnickendam in the municipality of Waterland
Coordinates: 52°28′N 5°2′E
Country	Netherlands
Province	North Holland
Municipality	Waterland
Area  (2012)[1]
• Total	1,536 ha (3,796 acres)
• Land	1,464 ha (3,618 acres)
• Water	72 ha (178 acres)
Population  (2012)[1]
• Total	9,915
• Density	650/km2 (1,700/sq mi)
Postal code	1140–1141[2]
Area code	0299[3]

History

Monnikendam was also the name of a number of warships - mainly built at the port of that name - during the Anglo-Dutch Wars.

The town was founded by monks,[4] the name Monnickendam translates as 'Monk's dam'.

Monnickendam was a separate municipality until 1991, when it was merged into Waterland.[5] Although it is a small fishing village today, it was an important port in earlier centuries. It possesses a seventeenth-century weigh house, once used by merchants and port officials, and a bell tower that dates from 1591. The fourteenth century church of St. Nicholas, renovated in 1602, is particularly notable. The synagogue was built in 1894.[6] Jewish families named Monnikendam trace their roots to this town.

The town was the site of an artist's colony in the early twentieth century.

Economy

Monnickendam hosts a number of industries, many related to its history and proximity to the Markermeer. Notably, the city is home to the Royal Hakvoort Shipyards that has operated for over a century, first catering to the local fishing industry by building vessels for their purpose, and later moving into luxury and pleasure crafts.[7]

Other notable organisations include Leguit + Roos, specialising in the renovation and restoration of historical buildings that are plenty in the Waterland area.[8]

In recent developments, the derelict business quarter of Galgeriet was demolished in order to make space for the development of new residential buildings. The Dutch government has subsidised this development with € 6,420,240, with the hope of creating 700 homes as well as additional commercial spaces to both alleviate the ailing demography and provide an impetus for further economic growth.[9]

Demographics

In 2001, the town of Monnickendam had 9,546 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 1.34 km² (0.52 sq mi), and contained 3,766 residences.[10] The wider statistical area of Monnickendam has a population of around 9,680.[11]

Notable residents

• Cornelis Dirkszoon, mayor during the 80-year war.
• Hermann Jung (about 1608–1678) famous Lutheran theologian and preacher in Monnickendam. Born probably at Brokreihe(-Nord) near Hodorf (Holstein) around 1608. Friend of Jan Amos Comenius and a correspondent of Philipp Jakob Spener, Hermann Jung developed himself from a preacher of the small Lutheran community in Monnickendam to an important representative of early Lutheran pietism in the Netherlands.
• Wendelmoet Claesdochter, first female martyr during the reformation. Condemned to death by fire in 1527 in The Hague.
• Simon Lambrechtszoon Mau, captain of the "Duyfken", joining the first expedition to the Dutch Indies, using the route "Om de Zuid", around Africa.
• Marlou van Rhijn, Paralympic 200m sprint world record holder and gold medal winner was born here.

Gallery

• 
  Monk sculpture at the bridge near de Waag
• 
  Church: de Grote of Sint Nicolaaskerk
• 
  Tower (de Speeltoren) and de Waag
• 
  View to the port
• 
  View to a street (het Noordeinde)
• 
  View to the grachten

See also

• Museum de Speeltoren

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Monnickendam.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Monnickendam.

• Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Monnikendam" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 18 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 629.