Rhenen

Rhenen
City and Municipality
The Cunera Church in Rhenen
Flag Coat of arms
Location in Utrecht Location in Utrecht
Coordinates:
Country	Netherlands
Province	Utrecht
Government
• Body	Municipal council
• Mayor	Hans van der Pas (PvdA)
Area
• Municipality	43.76 km2 (16.90 sq mi)
• Land	42.08 km2 (16.25 sq mi)
• Water	1.68 km2 (0.65 sq mi)
Elevation	43 m (141 ft)
Population (May 2014)
• Municipality	19,164
• Density	455/km2 (1,180/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Rhenenaar
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postcode	3910–3922
Area code	0317, 0318
Website	www.rhenen.nl

Dutch Topographic map of Rhenen, June 2015

Harbour of Rhenen with ships.

Rhenen (<phonos file="280_Rhenen.ogg">pronunciation</phonos>) is a municipality and a town in the central Netherlands. The municipality also includes the villages of Achterberg, Remmerden, Elst and Laareind. The town lies at a geographically interesting location, namely on the southernmost part of the chain of hills known as the Utrecht Hill Ridge (Utrechtse Heuvelrug), where this meets the river Rhine. Because of this Rhenen has a unique character with pretty much elevation through town.

Directly to the east of the built-up area lies the Grebbeberg, a hill with a top elevation of about 50 metres (160 ft).

History

Before 1900

Rhenen received city rights probably between 1256 and 1258. In 1346, the bishop of Utrecht ordered the construction of a defensive wall around the city, which was important because it lay near the border with Guelders. Although for some time the town collected toll from ships on the Rhine, it has never had a harbour. The three city gates were demolished in 1840. Small fragments of the wall remain.

The town is also famous for the Cunera Church, parts of which date back to the 15th century. Containing the relics of Saint Cunera, it attracted many pilgrims. Legend has it that Cunera was buried on a nearby hill now called the Cuneraheuvel. The church's tower was built between 1492 and 1531.

In 1621, a palace was constructed at Rhenen for the ousted Frederick V. It was demolished in 1812.

World War II

Part of the center of Rhenen, which was located near the defensive Grebbelinie (Grebbe line), was destroyed during the German attack on the Netherlands in May 1940. Part of the reconstruction took place during the war. In 1945, the town was damaged again during the liberation of the country from German occupation.

Many or all of the Dutch soldiers who were killed by the Germans near Rhenen lie buried at the Erebegraafplaats (Honorary Cemetery), located along the Grebbeweg (N 225) near the top of the Grebbeberg. Across the road is an important war monument with a poem by J.C. Bloem.

In 2008 Rhenen celebrated its 750th anniversary.

Main sights

• Ouwehands Dierenpark, a zoo, founded in 1932.
• The Cunera Church, a late-Gothic hall-church, built between 1492-1531.
• Modern Roman Catholic church Gedachteniskerk, built between 1958-1959.
• Building 'De Brakke' from 1787.
• Ruins of the 14th century Medieval defensive wall.
• The Binnenmolen, a round gristmill from 1893.
• The Prattenburg estate.
• Ereveld Rhenen, a military cemetery on the Grebbeberg.

Transport

• Rhenen railway station

External links

• Official website
• Ouwehands Dierenpark (Zoo)