Harderwijk is a municipality and a city in the eastern Netherlands.

Population centres

• Harderwijk
• Hierden

The city of Harderwijk

Harderwijk received city rights from Count Otto II of Guelders in 1231. A defensive wall surrounding the city was completed by the end of that century. The oldest part of the city is near where the streets Hoogstraat and Grote Poortstraat are today. Around 1315 the city was expanded southwards, which included the construction of what is now called the Grote Kerk (Large Church). A second, northward expansion took place around 1425. Particularly along the west side of town much of the wall still exists, although often not in entirely original form. This also goes for the only remaining city gate, the picturesque Vischpoort.

Harderwijk used to be a member of the Hanseatic League. It lies on what used to be the Zuiderzee (Southern Sea, now the IJsselmeer) and consequently its economy was strongly based on fishing and seafaring in general. This dramatically changed after 1932, when the Zuiderzee was shut off from the North Sea for safety reasons.

Between 1648 and 1811 the University of Harderwijk operated in the city. Linneaus graduated at this university. The university, together with the universities of Zutphen and Franeker was abolished by Napoleon.

Today, Harderwijk is probably known best for the Dolfinarium, where dolphin shows are held. (See external links.)

Veluwe

The southeastern half of the municipality is forest area. This is part of the Veluwe, much of which is now a National Park.

References

1. Stenvert, R. et al. (2000). Monumenten in Nederland: Gelderland, p. 50 and 183–188. Zwolle: Waanders Uitgevers. ISBN 90-400-9406-3

External links

• Official Website
• Map
• Dolfinarium