Smilde is a town in the Netherlands' northern province of Drenthe and lies about 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) southwest of the province capital of Assen. Smilde was a separate municipality until 1998, when it became a part of Middenveld. However, that name changed in 2000 and was renamed the municipality of Midden-Drenthe.[3]
Smilde | |
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Town | |
![]() Church in Smilde | |
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Coordinates: 52°56′55″N 6°26′54″E | |
Country | Netherlands |
Province | Drenthe |
Municipality | Midden-Drenthe |
Area | |
• Total | 22.96 km2 (8.86 sq mi) |
Elevation | 14 m (46 ft) |
Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 4,500 |
• Density | 200/km2 (510/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | 9422[1] |
Dialing code | 0592 |
The village was first mentioned in 1846 as Smilde. The etymology is unclear.[4] Smilde is a elongated canal village which developed around 1770. Between 1767 and 1780, the Drentsche Hoofdvaart [nl] was dug to excavate the peat in the area. The first settlement was called Kloosterveen and was later renamed to Smilde.[5]
The Dutch Reformed church was built between 1780 and 1788 in Louis XVI style. It was restored in 1963.[5] The former town hall was originally built as a villa in Renaissance Revival style and was named Villa Maria. In 1931, it became town hall.[5]
Smilde was home to 1,675 people in 1840.[6] Smilde was an independent municipality until 1998 when it was merged into Midden-Drenth.[6]
Populated places in the municipality of Midden-Drenthe | |
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Villages | |
Hamlets | |
List of cities, towns and villages in Drenthe |
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