Rhenen

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Rhenen

| settlement_type = City and Municipality

| image_skyline = Rhenen 9.jpg

| image_alt =

| image_caption = The Cunera Church in Rhenen

| image_flag = Flag of Rhenen.svg

| flag_size = 100x67px

| flag_alt =

| image_shield = Rhenen wapen.svg

| shield_size = 100x80px

| shield_alt =

| image_map = Map - NL - Municipality code 0340 (2009).svg

| map_alt = Highlighted position of Rhenen in a municipal map of Utrecht

| map_caption = Location in Utrecht

| coordinates = {{coord|51|58|N|5|34|E|region:NL|display=inline,title}}

| coordinates_footnotes =

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = Netherlands

| subdivision_type1 = Province

| subdivision_name1 = Utrecht

| government_footnotes = {{cite web

|url = https://www.rhenen.nl/mozard/!suite86.scherm0325?mVrg=170&mNch=7494736

| title = Wat is en doet het college van B en W?

| language = nl

| publisher = Gemeente Rhenen

| access-date = 12 September 2017}}

| governing_body = Municipal council

| leader_party = PvdA

| leader_title = Mayor

| leader_name = {{ill|Géran Kaai}}, mayor

| total_type = Municipality

| unit_pref = Metric

| area_footnotes = {{Dutch municipality total area|dataref}}

| area_total_km2 = {{Dutch municipality total area|Rhenen}}

| area_land_km2 = {{Dutch municipality land area|Rhenen}}

| area_water_km2 = {{Dutch municipality water area|Rhenen}}

| elevation_footnotes = {{cite web

| url = http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool

| title = Postcodetool for 3911MG

| language = nl

| author =

| work = Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland

| publisher = Het Waterschapshuis

| access-date = 9 April 2014}}

| elevation_m = 43

| elevation_max_footnotes =

| elevation_max_m =

| elevation_min_footnotes =

| elevation_min_m =

| population_footnotes = {{Dutch municipality population|dataref}}

| population_total = {{Dutch municipality population|Rhenen}}

| population_as_of = {{MONTHNAME|{{Dutch municipality population|popbasemonth}}}} {{Dutch municipality population|popbaseyear}}

| population_density_km2 = {{Dutch municipality population density|Rhenen}}

| population_demonym = Rhenenaar

| timezone = CET

| utc_offset = +1

| timezone_DST = CEST

| utc_offset_DST = +2

| postal_code_type = Postcode

| postal_code = 3910–3922

| area_code_type = Area code

| area_code = 0317, 0318

| website = {{URL|1=https://www.rhenen.nl}}

| footnotes =

}}

File:Gem-Rhenen-OpenTopo.jpg

Rhenen ({{IPA|nl|ˈreːnə(n)|-|280 Rhenen.ogg}}) is a municipality and a city in the central Netherlands.

The municipality also includes the villages of Achterberg, {{ill|Remmerden|nl}} and Elst. The town lies at a geographically interesting location, namely on the southernmost part of the chain of hills known as the Utrecht Hill Ridge (Utrechtse Heuvelrug), where this meets the river Rhine. Because of this Rhenen has a unique character with quite some elevation through town.

Directly to the east of the built-up area lies the Grebbeberg, a hill with a top elevation of about {{Convert|50|m}}.

History

= Before 1900 =

Rhenen received city rights probably between 1256 and 1258.Kolman C., et al. (1996). Monumenten in Nederland: Utrecht. Zwolle: Waanders Uitgevers. {{ISBN|90-400-9757-7}}.Ph. J. van Dael, 'Over het Rhenense stadsrecht en het Rhenense (burger)zegel', in Oud Rhenen, 2002 no. 2, p. 5-38. 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 (Grebbe line), 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 (Cemetery of Honor), located along the Grebbeweg (N 225) 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

File:Witte-Leeuw-Ouwehands-Dierenpark.jpg

Ouwehands Dierenpark, a zoo, founded in 1932.
The Cunerakerk (Cunera Church), a late-Gothic hall-church, built between 1492 and 1531.
Modern Roman Catholic church {{ill|Gedachteniskerk, Rhenen|nl|Gedachteniskerk (Rhenen)}}, built between 1958 and 1959.
Building 'De Brakke' from 1787.
Ruins of the 14th century Medieval defensive wall.
The {{ill|Binnenmolen, Rhenen|nl|Binnenmolen (Rhenen)}}, a round gristmill from 1893.
The {{ill|Prattenburg|nl}} estate.
Military War Cemetery Grebbeberg, a military cemetery on the Grebbeberg.

Transport

Rhenen railway station

Politics and administration

= Municipal council =

The Municipal council (Netherlands) of Rhenen consists of 19 members sinds March 2022{{Cite web |date=26 February 2024 |title=Website van de gemeente Rhenen |url=https://www.rhenen.nl/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=Gemeente Rhenen |language=nl}}

class="wikitable" \|+ Municipal Council seats ! 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

class="wikitable"

|+ Municipal Council seats

! Party

! 1994

! 1998

! 2002

! 2006

! 2010

! 2014

! 2018

! 2022

SGP

| 3

| 4

| 3

| 4

| 3

| 5

VVD

| 4

| 3

| 2

| 3

Rhenens Belang

| -

| 1

| 2

| 3

Progr. Rhenen/ Groenlinks¹

| 1

| 2

| 4

| 3

D66

| 2

| 1

| -

| 1

| 2

ChristenUnie²

| -

| 1

| -

| 1

| 2

| 1

CDA

| 4

| 3

| 2

| 1

PvdA

| 3

| 2

| 1

Total

! 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 in for the council term of 2022–2026 consists of:

Géran Kaai, Mayor of Rhenen
Gert van Laar (SGP), Alderman for the physical domain
Dick Poortinga (Rhenens Belang), Alderman for welfare and sports, economy and recreation & tourism
Hans Boerkamp (D66), Alderman for Finance, mobility, education and youth
Bert Fintelman (CDA), Alderman for rural/agricultural areas, sustainability and nature.

{{ill|Hans van der Pas|nl}} (PvdA) left his position as mayor 7 March 2024{{Cite web |last=Utrecht |first=provincie |date=22 December 2023 |title=Burgemeester Hans van der Pas verlaat Rhenen |url=https://www.provincie-utrecht.nl/actueel/nieuws/burgemeester-hans-van-der-pas-verlaat-rhenen |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=provincie-utrecht.nl |language=nl}}

Notable people

Frederick V (1596–1632), Count Palatine and Elector of the Palatinate from 1610 to 1623 and King of Bohemia (as Frederick I) from 1619 to 1620
Giedo van der Garde (born 1985), a Dutch racing driver
Madelein Meppelink (born 1989), a Dutch beach volleyball player, competed in the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics
Jacob Nienhuys (1836–1927), founded the tobacco producer Deli Company in Sumatra
Remy Reynierse (born 1961), is a former football player with 312 club caps, current coach at Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Bibiane Schoofs (born 1988), a Dutch professional tennis player
Jacobus Tollius (1633–1696), a Dutch classicist
Eelco Uri (born 1973), a Dutch male former water polo player, competed in the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics
Lisa van Viegen (born 1978), stage name iET, a Dutch singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
Nico Drost (born 1980), a Dutch Member of Parliament

Gallery

File:Rhenen, Militair Ereveld Grebbeberg IMG 9161 2019-04-19 13.11.jpg|War monument: Militair Ereveld Grebbeberg

File:Rhenen, de Binnenmolen RM32465 IMG 9170 2019-04-19 14.00.jpg|Windmill: the Binnenmolen

File:Lovely houses in Rhenen with characteristic wooden ornaments - panoramio.jpg|Houses in Rhenen with characteristic wooden ornaments

File:HavenvanRhenen2010-2.jpg|Haven van Rhenen

File:View of Rhenen, Jan Van Goyen, 1656.jpg|View of Rhenen, Jan Van Goyen, 1656

File:Pandasia Ouwehands Dierenpark 2017 4.jpg|Pandasia Ouwehands Dierenpark

File:Straatbeeld - Rhenen - 20398412 - RCE.jpg|Straatbeeld, Rhenen

File:Gezicht op Rhenen - Rhenen - 20396586 - RCE.jpg|Gezicht op Rhenen

File:Rhenen - 2011 - panoramio (25).jpg|Rhenen, panoramio

File:Rhenen Frederik van de Paltshof Poort.jpg|Rhenen, Frederik van de Paltshof Poort

References

External links

{{official website|https://www.rhenen.nl}}

{{Geographic location

| Centre = Rhenen

| North = Veenendaal

| Northeast = Ede (GE)

| East = Wageningen (GE)

| Southeast = Lek
Neder-Betuwe (GE)

| Southwest = Lek
Buren (GE)

| West = Utrechtse Heuvelrug

}}

Category:Cities in the Netherlands

Category:Municipalities of Utrecht (province)

Category:Populated places in Utrecht (province)