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Leusden

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Leusden
Municipality
From left to right; Highrise building, Park Wildenburg, St. Jozefkerk, Kooikersgracht, Residential tower, Biezenkamp
From left to right; Highrise building, Park Wildenburg, St. Jozefkerk, Kooikersgracht, Residential tower, Biezenkamp
Flag of Leusden
Flag
Coat of arms of Leusden
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Leusden in a municipal map of Utrecht
Location in Utrecht
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceUtrecht
Government
[1]
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorAnnemieke Vermeulen (VVD)
Area
[2]
 • Total
58.89 km2 (22.74 sq mi)
 • Land58.54 km2 (22.60 sq mi)
 • Water0.35 km2 (0.14 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
3 m (10 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)[4]
 • Total
30,544
 • Density522/km2 (1,350/sq mi)
DemonymLeusdenaar
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
3830–3835
Area code033
Websitewww.leusden.nl

Dutch Topographic map of Leusden, June 2015 Leusden (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈløːzdə(n)] ⓘ) is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of Utrecht. It is located about 3 kilometres southeast of Amersfoort.

The western part of the municipality lies on the slopes of the Utrecht Hill Ridge and is largely covered by forest and heathlands. The eastern parts lie in the Gelderse Vallei and are mostly agricultural.

Population centres

Map of the municipality, with towns and villages.

The municipality of Leusden contains four villages:

There are also a number of hamlets in the municipality:[5] Asschat, Den Treek, De Ruif, Jannendorp, Musschendorp, Oud-Leusden (formerly named "Leusden"), and Snorrenhoef.

The town of Leusden

The place that is now called Leusden was first mentioned as Villa Lisiduna in a charter in 777. The exact location of that settlement, which is considered to have been a rather extensive farm complex with defenses, is unknown to us. It is possible that the old village of Oud-Leusden once was the location of Villa Lisiduna but excavations in the 1980s have not provided any evidence. However, the church tower of Oud-Leusden is one of the oldest towers in the Netherlands, dating back at least to the 11th century A.D. Close to Leusden is the site of the former monastery Heiligenberg, founded around the year 1000 by bishop Ansfridus of Utrecht, who died here in 1010.

In the 1970s, the agricultural villages of Leusbroek and Hamersveld grew together into to a larger, mainly residential town. What once was Hamersveld is now called Leusden-Centrum, now commonly Leusden, and Leusbroek was to become Leusden-Zuid. In the original plans, Leusden was to grow into a town of around 46,000 inhabitants. After the initial expansion there was a growing resistance from the population, so some of the later phases of expansion have been abandoned.

Shopping Areas

Shopping centre Biezenkamp

In Leusden there are 3 shopping centres:

  • The Hamershof, this is the biggest mall with about 80 stores in the centre of Leusden. The oldest part opened in 1980 together with the Town Hall nearby the Hamershof.
  • The Biezenkamp, this is the second shopping centre in the centre of town, there are not more than 20 shops.
  • And the third shopping centre is the Zuidhoek in the new neighborhood the Tabaksteeg, there are just 5 shops located around the square.

Notable residents

  • Robby Valentine (b. 1968), singer and multi-instrumentalist, born in Leusden
  • Marieke Wijsman (b. 1975), former speed-skater, born in Leusden
  • Marike Jager (b. 1979), singer-songwriter, grew up in Leusden
  • Gerrit Achterberg (1905-1962), poet, died in Leusden
  • Arleen Auger (1939-1993), soprano, died in Leusden
  • Newer part of the city, near a shopping centre
    Newer part of the city, near a shopping centre
  • Old villa in the center
    Old villa in the center
  • One of the newest parts in the center
    One of the newest parts in the center
  • Row of new houses in the centre of Leusden
    Row of new houses in the centre of Leusden

References

  1. ^ "Burgemeester Vermeulen" (in Dutch). Gemeente Leusden. Retrieved 4 April 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2020" [Key figures for neighbourhoods 2020]. StatLine (in Dutch). CBS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Postcodetool for 3831NA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 4 April 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |trans_title= (help)
  4. ^ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  5. ^ ANWB, "Topografische atlas Nederland 1:50000", 2005. Cartography by the Topografische Dienst, Emmen.
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