Meeuwen, Netherlands
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Meeuwen
| settlement_type = Village
| other_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = nl
| image_skyline = File:Meeuwen, de Nederlands Hervormde kerk foto10 2012-10-22 14.17.JPG
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Dutch Reformed church
| image_flag =
| image_shield = Meeuwen wapen.svg
| nickname =
| motto =
| image_map =
| map_caption =
| image_map1 =
| map_caption1 =
| pushpin_map = Netherlands North Brabant#Netherlands
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_mapsize = 250
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Netherlands
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = North Brabant
| subdivision_type2 = Municipality
| subdivision_name2 = Altena
| elevation_footnotes = {{cite web |url = http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool |title = Postcodetool for 4268GC |language = nl |work = Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland |publisher = Het Waterschapshuis |access-date = 15 April 2022 }}
| elevation_m = 0.9
| elevation_min_m =
| elevation_max_m =
| area_total_km2 = 4.73
| 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=15 April 2022}}
| population_total = 715
| 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 = 0416
| coordinates = {{coord|51|43|39|N|5|0|37|E|region:NL|display=inline, title}}
}}
Meeuwen is a village in southern Netherlands. It is located in Altena, North Brabant, about 8 km northwest of Waalwijk.
History
The village was first mentioned in 850 as Medua, and means "hay land".{{cite web|url=https://etymologiebank.nl/trefwoord/meeuwen |title=Meeuwen - (geografische naam) |website=Etymologiebank |access-date=15 April 2022 |language=nl}} Meeuwen is a stretched village on the banks of the Bergse Maas. It was almost complete destroyed in the St. Elizabeth's flood of 1421, and later rebuilt.{{cite book|url=https://dbnl.org/tekst/sten009monu02_01/sten009monu02_01_0112.php |title=Meeuwen |author=Chris Kolman & Ronald Stenvert| year=1997 |publisher=Waanders |location=Zwolle |isbn=90 400 9945 6 |access-date=15 April 2022 |language=nl}}
The Dutch Reformed church was largely destroyed in 1944, and rebuilt in 1953. Huis te Meeuwen used to be a castle built before 1355. It was demolished in the 1840s and only the canal and foundations are still present. It was replaced an estate with tower which burnt down in 1936. The current building is farmhouse in Renaissance Revival style with a tower.
The grist mill De Witte Molen was built in 1740. It was damaged during World War II, and was restored, however it started to fall into disuse and was mainly used for storage. In 1987, it was moved because it was surrounded by industry and in 1993, the wind mill was restored to working order. It is occasionally used to grinding.{{cite web|url=https://www.molendatabase.nl/nederland/molen.php?nummer=554 |title=De Witte Molen |website=Molen database |access-date=15 April 2022 }}
Meeuwen was home to 334 people in 1840. In November 1944, the village was evacuated and Meeuwen becomes the front-line between the German army and the Allies. One emergency house which was built after the war still exists, and has been moved next to the wind mill. Meeuwen was a separate municipality until 1923, when it became part of Aalburg. Until 1908, the official name of the municipality was Meeuwen, Hill en Babyloniënbroek.{{Repertorium Nederlandse Gemeenten}} In 2019, it became part of Altena."{{cite web|url=https://plaatsengids.nl/meeuwen |title=Meeuwen |website=Plaatsengids |access-date=15 April 2022 |language=nl}}
Gallery
File:Meeuwen, de Witte Molen RM6820 foto1 2012-10-22 14.11.jpg|Windmill: de Witte Molen
File:Zicht op de voorgevel - Meeuwen - 20413636 - RCE.jpg|Farm in Meeuwen
File:20070705Kasteel Meeuwen.jpg|Castle Meeuwen
File:Sculptuur Medua in Meeuwen.jpg|Medua sculpture in Meeuwen
References
{{Commons category|position=left}}
{{Dutch municipality Altena}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Populated places in North Brabant