Editing Gorinchem (section)

== History ==
[[Image:Gorinchem, Dalem poort.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Dalem Gate]]
It is generally assumed that Gorinchem was founded {{c.}} 1000 AD by fishermen and farmers on the raised land near the mouth of the river [[Linge]] at the [[Merwede]]. ''Goriks Heem'' ("Home of Gorik" in early [[Middle Dutch]]) is first mentioned in a document from 1224 in which [[Floris IV, Count of Holland|Floris IV]] granted people from Gorinchem exemption of [[Toll (fee)|toll]] payments throughout [[Holland]].

Somewhere between 1247 and 1267, Gorinchem became property of the [[Land van Arkel|Lords of Arkel]]. At the end of the 13th century earthen mounds reinforced with [[palisade]]s were built around the settlement to protect it from domination by the neighboring counties of Holland and Gelre. Half a century later real [[city wall]]s were built complete with 7 [[City gate|gates]] and 23 [[watchtower]]s. Otto van Arkel granted it [[City rights in the Netherlands|city rights]] on 11 November 1322.

[[Jan van Arkel]] had a dispute with [[Albert I, Duke of Bavaria|Albert I]], brother of [[William I, Duke of Bavaria|Willem V of Holland]], leading to war and subsequently to the annexation of Gorinchem to Holland in 1417. This resulted in increased trade and Gorinchem grew to be the eighth city of Holland.

[[Charles the Bold]] constructed the [[Blue Tower (Gorinchem)|Blue Tower]] palace in Gorinchem in 1461. This castle was already demolished in 1578.

On 9 July 1572, the [[Les Gueux|Watergeuzen]] (Dutch rebels against Spanish rule) conquered the city and captured 19 Catholic priests and monks. Because they refused to renounce their faith, these priests and monks were brought to [[Brielle]] where they were hanged and were from then on known among Catholics as the [[Martyrs of Gorkum]].

The Martyrs of Gorkum were canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867.<ref>{{cite book |last=Parker |first=Geoffrey |title=The Dutch Revolt: The Rise of the Netherlands and the Decline of Spain |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2003 |isbn=0141391324 |publication-date=2002}}</ref> Their martyrdom is commemorated annually in Gorinchem and has become an integral part of the city’s religious and cultural identity.<ref>{{cite book |last=Blok |first=P.J. |title=History of the Martyrs of Gorkum |publisher=Historical Society |year=1900 |isbn=}}</ref> As victims of religious persecution during the Eighty Years' War, their story symbolizes the broader conflict between Catholicism and Protestantism in the region. The martyrs hold a notable place in Dutch religious history, and their legacy continues to resonate with Catholics around the world.

By the 16th century, the city walls had deteriorated and were replaced with new fortifications and eleven [[bastion]]s that are still almost completely intact. The new walls were completed in 1609 and were located further from the town centre, making the city twice as large. In 1673, Gorinchem became part of the old [[Dutch Water Line]].

The city walls had four city gates: the Arkel Gate in the north, the Dalem Gate in the east, the Water Gate in the south (where the ferry to [[Woudrichem]] was), and the Kansel Gate in the west. Of these four gates, only the Dalem Gate remains. The others were removed in the 19th century to make way for vehicular traffic. A portion of the Water Gate was preserved in the gardens of the [[Rijksmuseum]] in Amsterdam.

[[Image:Gorinchem 1869.png|thumb|left|Map of Gorinchem of 1869.]]
In the 18th century, the economy went into decline. After the [[History of the Netherlands#The French-Batavian period (1785–1815)|French domination]], the retreating French troops established themselves in the [[bastion fortress]] of Gorinchem. After a three-month siege they capitulated but the city was heavily damaged.

During the Industrial Revolution, Gorinchem recovered. Increased shipping led to new canals being dug and a railway connection to the city. Its population quickly increased, filling the inner city, and new neighbourhoods had to be built outside the city walls.

At the beginning of the 20th century, expansion took place in the Lingewijk and West neighbourhoods. After World War II, expansion started in the north-western portion of the municipality which was completed in the 1970s. This was followed by development of the neighbourhoods Wijdschild and Laag Dalem east of the city center. In 1986, the town Dalem was added to the municipality.

In August 2021 [[ANWB]] named Gorinchem the most beautiful star fort in the Netherlands.
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