Rijnsburg

Rijnsburg

The river Vliet flowing through Rijnsburg's old village centre
Highlighted position of Rijnsburg in the Netherlands
Rijnsburg

Location in the Netherlands

Coordinates: 52°11′N 4°26′E / 52.183°N 4.433°E / 52.183; 4.433Coordinates: 52°11′N 4°26′E / 52.183°N 4.433°E / 52.183; 4.433
Country Netherlands
Province South Holland
Municipality Katwijk
Population (2006) 14.850[1]
Location of former municipality Rijnsburg.

Rijnsburg (population: 14,941 in 2004) is a community in the eastern part of the town of Katwijk, in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The name means Rhine's Burg in Dutch.

History

The history starts way before the 6th century when a town called ‘Rothulfuashem’ (Rudolfsheim). Later about 900 there was a stronghold, which could explain the current name of the village Rijnsburg, which means 'Rhine fortress'

Rijnsburg used to be a separated municipality until 1 January 2006, when, together with Valkenburg, it was added to the municipality and city of Katwijk. Before that, the municipality covered an area of 6.07 km2 (2.34 sq mi) of which 0.21 km2 (0.081 sq mi) is water, and had a population of 14851 inhabitants on 1 June 2005.

Rijnsburg's main claim to fame is that the philosopher Spinoza lived there from 1661 to 1663. The modest house in which he lived is still preserved, and can be visited.

Rijnsburg is located in an area called the "Dune and Bulb district" (Duin- en Bollenstreek).

An Abbey (a convent) was established by Petronilla of Lorraine, consort of Floris II, Count of Holland, in 1133. It flourished for many years. Two of her granddaughters, Sophie and Hedwig, would later join this abbey, one of them as abbess.

Acheological finds

Finds of the royalty on the Rhine, now exhibited in the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden

In 1913 a buckle, the mount with red, white and blue enamel, and the square coin were found together in a cemetry at Rijnsburg. The impressive gilded buckle with interwoven filigree and enamel inlay was probably made in Kent (England) across the Channel. These finds amongst others indicate that the mouth of the Rhine was home to some people of very high status, perhaps even royalty.

Burials at Rijnsburg Abbey

References

  1. ↑ CBS, 2006
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