Editing Appingedam (section)

=== Medieval Appingedam ===
[[File:Netherlands, Appingedam (Jukwerd, Marsum, Opwierda, Solwerd, Tjamsweer), map, around 1865-1870.jpg|260px|thumb|The municipality of Appingedam around 1866 (''Atlas of the province of Groningen 1865-1870'')]]
[[File:Appingedam01.jpg|thumb|left|The hanging kitchens over the Damsterdiep]]
Appingedam evolved on the banks of the waterway of the Delf, today known as Damsterdiep, around 1200. The name of the town is a lexical compound meaning “the dam built in the Appe” or “Apt.” The junction of the Apt and the East-West canal proved convenient as a location for the foundation of a lively trade settlement. Established by shipmasters, tradesmen and craftsmen, Appingedam was first mentioned in a historical document dated 1224. Next to Groningen, Appingedam was thus the second of the two urban centres upon which the Frisian region of Fivelingo would build its fame in the Middle Ages.