Axel, Netherlands
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Axel
| settlement_type = City
| official_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = nl
| image_skyline = File:Axel - Town hall 1.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Former town hall
| image_flag = Axel vlag.svg
| image_shield = Axel wapen 1817.svg
| nickname =
| motto =
| pushpin_map = Netherlands Zeeland#Netherlands
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_mapsize = 250
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Netherlands
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = Zeeland
| subdivision_type2 = Municipality
| subdivision_name2 = Terneuzen
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| leader_party =
| elevation_footnotes = {{cite web |url = http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool |title = Postcodetool for 4571AA |language = nl |work = Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland |publisher = Het Waterschapshuis |access-date = 21 April 2022 }}
| elevation_m = 0.5
| elevation_min_m =
| elevation_max_m =
| area_total_km2 = 37.30
| established_title =
| established_date =
| population_footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.nl/-/media/_excel/2021/48/kwb-2021.xls |title=Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021 |website=Central Bureau of Statistics |access-date=21 April 2022 |quote=two entries}}
| population_total = 7,880
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_demonym =
| population_note =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone = CET
| utc_offset = +1
| timezone_DST = CEST
| utc_offset_DST = +2
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| area_code_type = Dialing code
| area_code = 0115
| coordinates = {{coord|51|15|56|N|3|54|32|E|region:NL_type:city(7923)|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes =
}}
Axel is a city in the southwest Netherlands. It is located in the municipality of Terneuzen, Zeeland, about 31 km southeast of Vlissingen. Axel received city rights in 1213.
History
The city was first established between 987 and 994 as Axla. The etymology is unclear.{{cite web|url=https://etymologiebank.nl/trefwoord/axel2 |title=Axel - (geografische naam)|website=Etymologiebank |access-date=21 April 2022 |language=nl}} Axel was located on the former creek Axelse Gat which had its mouth in the former Braakman inlet. A church was built around 1100, and a castle around 1200. It was a gateway to Ghent, and received city rights in 1213. The city was plundered around 1380 and in 1452 by Ghent. The All Saints' Flood of 1570 resulted in Axel finding itself on an island.{{cite book|url=https://dbnl.org/tekst/sten009monu09_01/sten009monu09_01_0011.php |title=Axel |author=Piet van Cruyningen & Ronald Stenvert| year=2003 |publisher=Waanders |location=Zwolle |isbn=90 400 8830 6 |access-date=21 April 2022 |language=nl}}
Axel was conquered by Maurice, Prince of Orange in 1586 and was fortified. In 1601, eight bastions and one ravelin were constructed around the city. Axel was a strategically important place, because it controlled access to Antwerp and Ghent which were in Spanish hands.{{cite web|url=https://www.zalig-zeeland.com/agenda_archief/axel |title=Axel |website=Zalig Zeeland |access-date=21 April 2022 |language=nl}} In 1789, Axel was reattached to the mainland. The fortifications were removed in 1816. In 1851, Axel lost its harbour.
The Catholic St Gregorius the Great Church is a single-aisled church in Gothic Revival style which was built between 1862 and 1863. The grist mill Stadsmolen (lit: City wind mill) was built in 1750. In 1911, it was reduced to a rump and a motor was installed. In 1995, it was bought by the municipality and restored between 1998 and 1999. It is in service on most Saturdays and grinds grain.{{cite web|url=https://www.molendatabase.nl/nederland/molen.php?nummer=861 |title=Stadsmolen |website=Molen database|access-date=21 April 2022 |language=nl}}
Axel was home to 1,226 people in 1840. In 1871, a railway station opened on the Mechelen to Terneuzen railway line. The line closed in 1951. The building was demolished in 1968.{{cite web|url=http://stationsweb.nl/station.asp?station=axel&vraag=axel |title=station Axel |website=Stationsweb |access-date=21 April 2022 |language=nl}}
In September 1944, Axel was the scene of fighting and destruction during the Battle of the Scheldt. On 19 September, Axel was liberated by Polish forces.
Axel was an independent municipality until 2003 when it was merged into Terneuzen.{{cite web|url=https://plaatsengids.nl/axel |title=Axel |website=Plaatsengids |access-date=21 April 2022 |language=nl}}
Notable residents
- E. M. Valk-Heijnsdijk (1867–1945), cookbook writer and restaurateur{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Birth Elisabeth Martha Heijnsdijk on June 24, 1867 in Axel (Netherlands) |url=https://www.openarchieven.nl/zar:3E8F39CA-3C5B-4E1E-B7DD-0268F2D96DC1 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Open Archives |language=en}}
Gallery
File:Overzicht voorgevel - Axel - 20374533 - RCE.jpg|Building in Axel
File:Overzicht voorgevels - Axel - 20531588 - RCE.jpg|Street view
File:Axel Stadsmolen.jpg|Wind mill De Stadsmolen
File:Axel - Gregorius de Grotekerk 1.jpg|St Gregorius the Great Church
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Axel}}
- [http://www.rat.de/burgemeesters-axel-1581-1800.html Mayors of Axel 1581 - 1800]
- [http://www.rat.de/schepenen-axel-1492-1746.html Aldermen of Axel 1492 - 1746]
{{Dutch municipality Terneuzen}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Municipalities of the Netherlands disestablished in 2003
Category:Former municipalities of Zeeland