Naarden

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Naarden

Flag

Coat of arms
Coordinates: 52°18′N 5°09′E / 52.30°N 5.15°E / 52.30; 5.15
Country Netherlands
Province North Holland
Area (2006)
 - Total 32.89 km2 (12.7 sq mi)
 - Land 21.38 km2 (8.3 sq mi)
 - Water 11.51 km2 (4.4 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2007)
 - Total 17,174
 - Density 803/km2 (2,079.8/sq mi)
  Source: CBS, Statline.
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 - Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Website www.naarden.nl

Image:Ltspkr.pngNaarden is a municipality and a town in the Gooi region in the province of North Holland in the Netherlands. Naarden is an example of a Spanish star fort, complete with fortified walls and a moat. The walls and the moat have been restored and are in a very good state.

Aerial view of Naarden

Naarden was granted its city rights in 1300 (the only town in Het Gooi to have been done so) and later developed into a fortressed garrison town with a textile industry. Naarden is the home of the Netherlands Fortress Museum (Nederlands Vestingmuseum). Every year Naarden hosts the national photograph festival and, on Good Friday, a performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion in the local church, which is called the Great Church or St. Vitus Church. Despite its earlier importance, Naarden population size was surpassed by Hilversum in the 18th century and today is smaller than its neighbour Bussum.

A 17th-century engraving of Naarden by Wenceslas Hollar

Contents

[edit] Transport

The nearest station is Naarden-Bussum railway station, which has half-hourly services, with a journey time of just 25 minutes to Amsterdam.

[edit] Local government

The municipal council of Naarden consists of 17 seats, which are divided as follows:

[edit] Notable people born in Naarden

The Swiss composer Frank Martin lived in Naarden for the last twenty years of his life. The sepulchre of Jan Ámos Komenský is also located in Naarden.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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