Schoonhoven

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Schoonhoven


skylinesize = 280px


flag_size = 120x100px
image_shield = Schoonhoven wapen2.jpg
shield_size = 120x100px


mapsize = 280px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = South Holland
area_footnotes = (2006)
area_total_km2 = 6.96
area_land_km2 = 6.34
area_water_km2 = 0.63
population_as_of = 1 January, 2007
population_note = Source: CBS, [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline] .
settlement_type = Municipality
population_total = 12195
population_density_km2 = 1924
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd = 51.946
latNS = N
longd = 4.856
longEW = E
website = [http://www.schoonhoven.nl www.schoonhoven.nl]

).

A and is still fully functional as a water barrier today.

A ferry transporting both vehicles and pedestrians across the Lek River (see external link 5) connects Schoonhoven with Gelkenes in Liesveld.

In the grassy fields around the city of Schoonhoven you can see a magnificent bird life such as storks (external link 6).

The first winner of the Dutch version of Pop Idol, Jamai Loman, is from this town. Also Jan Arie van der Heijden, player of football club Ajax, lives in Schoonhoven.

History

Circa 1220 a castle was built on the north side of little stream Zevender, near its mouth at the Lek River and Schoonhoven formed near the castle. The oldest reference to Schoonhoven is on a document from 1247 where the town is called "Sconhoven". In 1280, it was granted city rights.

Around 1350, the citywalls and gates were added to Schoonhoven. Its economy was dependent on shipping, brewing, fishing and agriculture. Schoonhoven was also the marketplace for the region. In 1518 the castle burned down and its remnants were removed in subsequent decades.

Between 1582 and 1601 the city's defense walls were renewed and expanded to include the shipyards as well. And following the Disaster Year of 1672, they were reinforced again and expanded on the west and north sides. Yet in 1816, when bastion fortifications were no longer relevant to the warfare of the time, they were mostly demolished and made way for a cemetery and park.

In 1860 the city had 2900 inhabitants. Not until the middle of the 20th century did the city expand beyond the former fortress limits, first in a north-westerly direction, and then in the east since the 1990s.

Tourism and attractions

Schoonhoven is renowned for its silver, hence it is nicknamed "Zilverstad" ("Silver City"). Since the 17th century silver smiths have already been present here. Today there are a lot of silver trade possibilities and Schoonhoven is home of the International Silver School.

Another less known tradition in Schoonhoven is that of clock making. There are still small scale clock makers. Some of them can be visited. A beautiful example of large clockwork is the "Van den Gheyn Beiaard" on the medieval town hall of Schoonhoven (external link 3). In the Dutch Gold, Silver and Clock Museum a lot of other large and small clocks are on display as well. unfortunately old tradition are said to be growing extinct due to lack of interest of today's generation. For example the art of the beiaardier (;one who plays the carillion). the only young citizen known to continue the tradition is Niels Sonnevelt, aged 18 and currently still living in Schoonhoven.

There are a lot of pubs in the city for example The Holle Bolle Gijs and also a lot of sport activities including an Athletics club.

External links

# [http://www.schoonhoven.nl Official Website]
# [http://www.plattegronden.nl/gemeentebergambacht/index.html Map of Schoonhoven and surroundings]
# http://home.planet.nl/~zwart364/schoonho.htm in Dutch
# http://www.xs4all.nl/~nieko/poorten.htm in Dutch
# http://www.xs4all.nl/~nieko/gelkenes.htm in Dutch
# http://www.birdpix.nl/album_page.php?pic_id=55110