Valkenburg aan de Geul
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- For the other Valkenburg in the Netherlands see Valkenburg (South Holland)
| Valkenburg aan de Geul | |
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| Country | Netherlands |
|---|---|
| Province | Limburg |
| Area (2006) | |
| - Total | 36.91 km² (14.3 sq mi) |
| - Land | 36.73 km² (14.2 sq mi) |
| - Water | 0.17 km² (0.1 sq mi) |
| Population (1 January 2007) | |
| - Total | 17,180 |
| - Density | 468/km² (1,212.1/sq mi) |
| Source: CBS, Statline. | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
Valkenburg aan de Geul (pronunciation ) is a municipality in the southeastern Netherlands.
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[edit] History
Siege and conquest were characteristic of the history of Valkenburg. Each event is withheld, followed by subsequent restorations. This most definitely holds for the castle perched atop of a hill in the middle of the city, of which now only a ruin remains. In December 1672 it is destroyed, not to be rebuilt. Only two city gates (the Berkelpoort and the Grendelpoort) and a part of the citywalls survive destruction. Valkenburg is no longer a fortified city but retained its importance nevertheless.
For an impression of resistance activities during the Second World War in Valkenburg see Valkenburg resistance.
[edit] The present touristic Valkenburg
Nowadays Valkenburg is especially known for its touristic character. There are several attrections within walking distance of the city centre. To mention a few:
- the Valkenburg Holland Casino,
- the Steenkolenmijn,
- the Thermae 2000,
- the former marl quarries (with charcoal drawings which sometimes even date back to the time of the Romans).
- the Sint-Gerlachus church in Houthem Sint-Gerlach. (The only religious building with fresco's (paintings on marl) in the Netherlands).
The present aim of Valkenburg is to move from mass-tourism for which it was famous during the seventies and eighties (with camping sites full of youths building their own constructions of beer crates) towards the attraction of the more elaborated tourist, who exhibits a more quiet and relaxed behaviour.
Valkenburg is situated in a beautiful part of the Netherlands which is perfectly suited for walks or (mountain) bike tours through the hilly terrain. Although the municipality Valkenburg aan de Geul only has about 18.000 inhabitants, it hosts about 1 million nights a year.
Valkenburg has the oldest still existing railway station building in the Netherlands.
[edit] Cycling
Valkenburg aan de Geul is famous for its Cycling events. The city was four times host to the UCI Road Cycling World Championship, in 1938, 1948, 1979 and 1998. This is a record. Since 2003, the city's Cauberg hill is also the finish of the Amstel Gold Race. The Tour the France had a stage finish in Valkenburg in 1992 and in 2006.
[edit] Population centres
Berg en Terblijt, Geulhem, Houthem, IJzeren, Oud-Valkenburg, Schin op Geul, Sibbe, Valkenburg, Vilt, Walem.
[edit] External links
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