Doorn

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Doorn

| settlement_type = Town

| other_name =

| native_name =

| native_name_lang = nl

| image_skyline = Poortgebouw Huis Doorn.jpeg

| image_alt =

| image_caption = Gate house to Huis Doorn

| image_flag = Doorn vlag.svg

| image_shield = Doorn wapen.svg

| nickname =

| motto =

| image_map =

| map_caption =

| image_map1 =

| map_caption1 =

| pushpin_map = Netherlands Utrecht#Netherlands

| pushpin_label_position =

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the Netherlands

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = Netherlands

| subdivision_type1 = Province

| subdivision_name1 = Utrecht

| subdivision_type2 = Municipality

| subdivision_name2 = Utrechtse Heuvelrug

| leader_title =

| leader_name =

| leader_party =

| elevation_footnotes = {{cite web |url=http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool |title=Postcodetool for 3941AA |language=nl |work=Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland |publisher=Het Waterschapshuis |access-date=27 March 2022}}

| elevation_m = 5

| elevation_min_m =

| elevation_max_m =

| area_footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/visualisaties/dashboard-bevolking |title=Area statistics – Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek |website=CBS |access-date=27 March 2022}}

| area_total_km2 = 22.27

| established_title =

| established_date =

| population_footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/visualisaties/dashboard-bevolking |title=Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021 |website=Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek |access-date=27 March 2022}}

| population_total = 10,260

| 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

| postal_code = 3941

| area_code_type = Dialing code

| area_code = 0343

| website =

| footnotes =

| coordinates = {{coord|52|02|N|5|21|E|region:NL_type:city|display=inline,title}}

}}

Doorn is a town in the municipality of Utrechtse Heuvelrug in the central Netherlands, in the province of Utrecht. The town is famous for being the final residence of Wilhelm II.{{cite web |url=https://www.huisdoorn.nl/en/wilhelm-ii |title=Wilhelm II – Huis Doorn |publisher=Huis Doorn |access-date=28 February 2025}}

== History ==

In a document from 885 to 896 the settlement is called "Thorhem", a dwelling of Thor, the god of thunder. Vikings quartered at Dorestad (now Wijk bij Duurstede) reportedly referred to the place as Thorhem, as the god of thunder was worshipped there.{{cite web |url=https://www.historischnieuwsblad.nl/nl/artikel/8399/thor-en-de-ontdekking-van-doorn |title=Thor en de ontdekking van Doorn |publisher=Historisch Nieuwsblad |access-date=28 February 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.hetvolk.be/nieuws/2013/03/19/de-vikingstijd-in-nederland |title=De Vikingstijd in Nederland |publisher=Het Volk |access-date=28 February 2025}} Archaeological excavations on a moor at the estate of Hoog Moersbergen, north of Doorn, have revealed evidence of a pagan sacrificial site.

Later, the settlement of Thorhem became part of the homestead known as Villa Thorhem. Around 1200, this homestead was in the possession of a provost of the Bishopric of Utrecht. One of his successors built a castle in the 14th century – now known as Huis Doorn – and established the Maartenskerk ("St. Martin's Church") around 1200. The church was extended in the 15th century and later passed into Protestant hands around 1585, remaining in use as a Protestant church.{{cite web |url=https://www.huisdoorn.nl/over-huis-doorn |title=History of Huis Doorn |publisher=Huis Doorn |access-date=28 February 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.kerk-en-orgel.nl/maartenskerk-doorn |title=Maartenskerk Doorn |publisher=Kerk & Orgel |access-date=28 February 2025}} Another castle, Kasteel Moersbergen, was first mentioned in 1435 and has undergone several alterations since the 17th century. The expansive estate around Huis Doorn left little room for town expansion until 1874, when the estate was parcelled out. After World War II, the town experienced significant growth and today it also hosts a major base for the Royal Dutch Marines.{{cite web |url=https://www.defensie.nl/organisatie/marine |title=Royal Dutch Marines |publisher=Defensie |access-date=28 February 2025}} Nearby is the Von Gimborn Arboretum, one of the botanical garden sites of Utrecht University.{{cite web |url=https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/von-gimborn-arboretum |title=Von Gimborn Arboretum |publisher=Utrecht University |access-date=28 February 2025}} Doorn was an independent municipality until 1 January 2006,{{cite web |url=https://www.utrechtseheuvelrug.nl/organisatie/geschiedenis |title=Municipal Restructuring of Utrechtse Heuvelrug |publisher=Municipality of Utrechtse Heuvelrug |access-date=28 February 2025}} after which it became the principal town in the municipality of Utrechtse Heuvelrug. The town also supports its own football club, DEV Doorn.{{cite web |url=http://www.devdoorn.nl/ |title=DEV Doorn Football Club |publisher=DEV Doorn |access-date=28 February 2025}}

== Notable inhabitants ==

The last German Emperor, Wilhelm II of Germany, lived at Huis Doorn in the center of the village after his deposition in 1918. Although he initially regarded his exile as humiliating, he gradually found solace in Doorn’s tranquility and personally oversaw the gardens, remaining active in following political developments until his death in 1941.{{cite web |url=https://www.huisdoorn.nl/en/wilhelm-ii |title=Wilhelm II – Huis Doorn |publisher=Huis Doorn |access-date=28 February 2025}}

Dutch novelist Simon Vestdijk resided in Doorn for much of his life (1939–1971, with brief intervals elsewhere). His works reflect the peaceful yet introspective atmosphere of the village.{{cite web |url=https://www.dbnl.org/auteurs/auteur.php?id=vest001 |title=Simon Vestdijk |publisher=Digital Library for Dutch Literature |access-date=28 February 2025}}

Dutch writer Maarten Maartens had a small castle built in Doorn—Zonheuvel ("Sun Hill," completed in 1903). Today, the castle is known as {{ill|Maarten Maartenshuis|nl}} and forms part of the hotel and conference center Zonheuvel.{{cite web |url=https://www.dbnl.org/auteurs/auteur.php?id=maar003 |title=Maarten Maartens |publisher=Digital Library for Dutch Literature |access-date=28 February 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.huisdoorn.nl/over-huis-doorn |title=History of Huis Doorn |publisher=Huis Doorn |access-date=28 February 2025}}

Image:Wilhelm II Bust @ Doorn.JPG|Kaiser Wilhelm II lived here for more than twenty years.{{cite web |url=https://www.huisdoorn.nl/en/wilhelm-ii |title=Wilhelm II – Huis Doorn |publisher=Huis Doorn |access-date=28 February 2025}}

Image:Mausoleumwhilhelm.JPG|The tomb of Wilhelm II at Huis Doorn{{cite web |url=https://www.huisdoorn.nl/en/wilhelm-ii |title=Wilhelm II – Huis Doorn |publisher=Huis Doorn |access-date=28 February 2025}}

File:Doorn Simon Vestdijk beeld. Jaap te Kiefte 2013.jpg|The statue of Simon Vestdijk in Doorn

File:Maarten Maartenshuis - 2.jpg|Maarten Maartens' house in Doorn

== References ==

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