Rhenen
Rhenen is a municipality and a city in the central Netherlands.
The municipality also includes the villages of Achterberg, and Elst. The town lies on the southernmost part of the chain of hills known as the Utrecht Hill Ridge, where this meets the river Rhine. Because of this Rhenen has significant elevation changes across the town.
Directly to the east of the built-up area lies the Grebbeberg, a hill with a height of about.
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.
Between 1630 and 1631, the Koningshuis 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, 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, located along the Grebbeweg 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 Cunerakerk, a late-Gothic hall-church, built between 1492 and 1531.
- Modern Roman Catholic church, built between 1958 and 1959.
- Building 'De Brakke' from 1787.
- Ruins of the 14th century medieval defensive wall.
- The, a round gristmill from 1893.
- The estate.
- Military War Cemetery Grebbeberg, a military cemetery on the Grebbeberg.
Transport
Politics and administration
Municipal council
The municipal council of Rhenen consists of 19 members since March 2022| Party | 1994 | 1998 | 2002 | 2006 | 2010 | 2014 | 2018 | 2022 |
| SGP | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| VVD | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Rhenens Belang | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Progr. Rhenen/ Groenlinks1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| D66 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| ChristenUnie2 | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| CDA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| PvdA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 |
¹ In the elections up to and including 2002, only GroenLinks participated.
² In 1998, the RPF, one of the predecessors of the Christian Union, participated in the elections.
Municipal executive
The municipal executive of Rhenen for the council term of 2022–2026 consists of:- Géran Kaai, Mayor of Rhenen
- Gert van Laar, Alderman for the physical domain
- Dick Poortinga, Alderman for welfare and sports, economy and recreation & tourism
- Hans Boerkamp, Alderman for Finance, mobility, education and youth
- Bert Fintelman, Alderman for rural/agricultural areas, sustainability and nature.
Notable people
- Frederick V, Count Palatine and Elector of the Palatinate from 1610 to 1623 and King of Bohemia from 1619 to 1620
- Giedo van der Garde, a Dutch racing driver
- Madelein Meppelink, a Dutch beach volleyball player, competed in the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics
- Jacob Nienhuys, founded the tobacco producer Deli Company in Sumatra
- Remy Reynierse, a former football player with 312 club caps; current coach at Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
- Bibiane Schoofs, a Dutch professional tennis player
- Jacobus Tollius, a Dutch classicist
- Eelco Uri, a Dutch former water polo player, competed in the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics
- Lisa van Viegen, stage name iET, a Dutch singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
- Nico Drost, a Dutch Member of Parliament