Editing Gorinchem

{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
<!-- Name and transliteration -->
| name                    = Gorinchem
| settlement_type         = [[List of municipalities of the Netherlands|Municipality]]
<!-- Images, nickname, motto -->
| image_skyline           = Gorinchem 011.jpg
| image_alt               = 
| image_caption           = Lingehaven in Gorinchem
| image_flag              = Flag of Gorinchem.svg
| flag_size               = 100x67px
| flag_alt                = 
| image_shield            = Coat of arms of Gorinchem.svg
| shield_size             = 100x80px
| shield_alt              = 
<!-- Maps, coordinates -->
| image_map               = Map - NL - Municipality code 0512 (2009).svg
| map_alt                 = Highlighted position of Gorinchem in a municipal map of South Holland
| map_caption             = Location in South Holland
| coordinates             = {{coord|format=dms|region:NL|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes   = 
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = Netherlands
| subdivision_type1       = [[Provinces of the Netherlands|Province]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[South Holland]]
| government_footnotes    = <ref name="mayor_now">{{cite web
 |url = http://www.gorinchem.nl/bestuur-organisatie/burgemeester-en-wethouders_3122/
 |title = Burgemeester en wethouders
 |trans-title = Mayor and aldermen
 |language = nl
 |publisher = Gemeente Gorinchem
 |access-date = 21 July 2013
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130814080911/http://www.gorinchem.nl/bestuur-organisatie/burgemeester-en-wethouders_3122/
 |archive-date = 14 August 2013
 |url-status = dead
 }}</ref>
| governing_body          = [[Municipal council (Netherlands)|Municipal council]]
| leader_party            = [[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]]
| leader_title            = [[Burgemeester|Mayor]]
| leader_name             = [[:nl:Reinie Melissant-Briene|Reinie Melissant-Briene]]
<!-- Geographic information -->
| unit_pref               = Metric
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
<!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_footnotes          = <ref>{{Dutch municipality total area|dataref}}</ref>
<!-- square kilometers -->
| area_total_km2          = {{Dutch municipality total area|Gorinchem}}
| area_land_km2           = {{Dutch municipality land area|Gorinchem}}
| area_water_km2          = {{Dutch municipality water area|Gorinchem}}
| elevation_footnotes     = <ref name="AHN">{{cite web
 |url=http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool 
 |title=Postcodetool for 4205AZ 
 |language=nl 
 |work=Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland 
 |publisher=Het Waterschapshuis 
 |access-date=21 July 2013 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053543/http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool 
 |archive-date=21 September 2013 
}}</ref>
| elevation_m             = 2
| elevation_max_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_max_m         =
| elevation_min_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_min_m         =
<!-- Population, demographics -->
| population_footnotes    = <ref>{{Dutch municipality population|dataref}}</ref>
| population_total        = {{Dutch municipality population|Gorinchem}}
| population_as_of        = {{MONTHNAME|{{Dutch municipality population|popbasemonth}}}} {{Dutch municipality population|popbaseyear}}
| population_density_km2  = {{Dutch municipality population density|Gorinchem}} <!-- For automatic calculation: auto-->
| population_demonym      = Gorkumer
<!-- Other information -->
| timezone1               = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1             = +1
| timezone1_DST           = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST         = +2
| postal_code_type        = [[Postal codes in the Netherlands|Postcode]]
| postal_code             = 4200–4208
| area_code_type          = [[Telephone numbers in the Netherlands|Area code]]
| area_code               = 0183
| website                 = {{Official URL}}
| footnotes               =
}}

'''Gorinchem''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈɣɔrkʏm|-|Nl-Gorinchem.ogg}} {{IPA|nl|ˈɣɔrkəm|label=or}}), [[pronunciation respelling|also spelled]] '''Gorkum''', is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of [[South Holland]]. The municipality covers an area of {{convert|{{Dutch municipality total area|Gorinchem}}|km2|abbr=on}} of which {{convert|{{Dutch municipality water area|Gorinchem}}|km2|abbr=on}} is water. It had a population of {{formatnum:{{Dutch municipality population|Gorinchem}}}} in {{YEAR|{{Dutch municipality population|popbaseyear}}}}.

The municipality of Gorinchem also includes the population centre of [[Dalem, Netherlands|Dalem]].

== 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.
{{Clear left}}

== Demographics ==
[[Image:Gorinchem-plaats-OpenTopo.jpg|260px|thumb|Map of Gorinchem (town), Sept. 2014]]
Gorinchem had 37,456 inhabitants on 1 January 2021.

== Politics ==
The current mayor of Gorinchem is [[:nl:Reinie Melissant-Briene|Reinie Melissant-Briene]] of the [[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]]. In 2023 a new municipal executive was agreed, consisting of the City Interest, [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy|VVD]], [[Christian Union – Reformed Political Party|CU-SGP]], Gorcum Active and [[Socialist Party (Netherlands)|SP]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2023|title=Coalitieakkoord en collegeprogramma 2022-2026 |url=https://www.gorinchem.nl/bestuur-organisatie/coalitieakkoord-en-collegeprogramma-2022-2026 |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=gorinchem.nl|language=nl}}</ref>

The municipal council of Gorinchem has 25 members, which are directly elected. The composition of the council at the [[2022 Dutch municipal elections]] is shown in the table below.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2022|title=Gorinchem municipal election 2022 |url=https://www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl/verkiezingen/detail/GR20220316/731131 |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=verkiezingsuitslagen.nl|language=nl}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ [[File:Netherlands Gorinchem Municipal Council 2018.svg|300px|center]]
|-
! colspan="2" |Party
! Role
! colspan="6" |Seats
|-
| style="background-color:#c5212c" |&nbsp;
| City Interest
| {{yes|Executive}}
| 5
| style="background-color:#c5212c" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:#c5212c" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:#c5212c" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:#c5212c" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:#c5212c" |&nbsp;
|-
| style="background-color:#ffbb00" |&nbsp;
| Democrats Gorinchem
| {{no|Opposition}}
| 4
| style="background-color:#ffbb00" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:#ffbb00" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:#ffbb00" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:#ffbb00" |&nbsp;
| &nbsp;
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Labour Party (Netherlands)}}" |&nbsp;
| [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|PvdA]]
| {{no|Opposition}}
|3
| style="background-color:{{party color|Labour Party (Netherlands)}}" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:{{party color|Labour Party (Netherlands)}}" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:{{party color|Labour Party (Netherlands)}}" |&nbsp;
|
|
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|People's Party for Freedom and Democracy}}" |&nbsp;
| [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy|VVD]]
| {{yes|Executive}}
| 3
| style="background-color:{{party color|People's Party for Freedom and Democracy}}" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:{{party color|People's Party for Freedom and Democracy}}" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:{{party color|People's Party for Freedom and Democracy}}" |&nbsp;
|
|
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Socialist Party (Netherlands)}}" |&nbsp;
| [[Socialist Party (Netherlands)|SP]]
| {{yes|Executive}}
| 2
| style="background-color:{{party color|Socialist Party (Netherlands)}}" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:{{party color|Socialist Party (Netherlands)}}" |&nbsp;
|
|
| 
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Christian Democratic Appeal}}" |&nbsp;
| [[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]]
| {{no|Opposition}}
| 2
| style="background-color:{{party color|Christian Democratic Appeal}}" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:{{party color|Christian Democratic Appeal}}" |&nbsp;
|
|
|
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Christian Union (Netherlands)}}" |&nbsp;
| [[Christian Union – Reformed Political Party|CU-SGP]]
| {{yes|Executive}}
| 2
| style="background-color:{{party color|Christian Union (Netherlands)}}" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:{{party color|Christian Union (Netherlands)}}" |&nbsp;
|
|
|
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democrats 66}}" |&nbsp;
| [[Democrats 66|D66]]
| {{no|Opposition}}
| 2
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democrats 66}}" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democrats 66}}" |&nbsp;
|
|
|
|-
| style="background-color:#003da8" |&nbsp;
| Gorcum Active
| {{yes|Executive}}
| 2
| style="background-color:#003da8" |&nbsp;
| style="background-color:#003da8" |&nbsp;
|
|
|
|}

==Transport==
The city is crossed by two motorways; the [[A15 motorway (Netherlands)|A15]] on the northside, and the [[A27 motorway (Netherlands)|A27]] on the westside.

The city also has a railway station: [[Gorinchem railway station|Gorinchem]].

==Notable people==
[[File:Martyrs de Gorkum.jpg|140px|thumb|Martyrs de Gorkum]]

=== Public service ===
* [[John V, Lord of Arkel]] (1362–1428) [[stadtholder]] of Holland, Zeeland and West Frisia
* [[Henry of Gorkum]] ({{Circa|1378}}– 1431) a Dutch theologian
* [[Willem Hessels van Est]] (1542–1613) a Dutch Catholic theologian
* The [[Martyrs of Gorkum]] a group of 19 Dutch Catholic clerics who were hanged in 1572
* [[Thomas van Erpe]] (1584–1624) a Dutch Orientalist, published a book of Arabic grammar <ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Erpenius,_Thomas |volume=09 |short=x}}</ref>
* [[Dirk Rafelsz Camphuysen]] (1586–1627) theologian, poet, painter <ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Camphuysen,_Dirk_Rafelsz |volume=05 |short=x}}</ref>
* [[Johannes van Neercassel]] (1625–1686) [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Utrecht|Archbishop of Utrecht]] 1661 to 1686. 
* [[Hendrik Hamel]] (1630–1692) seafarer and writer 
* [[Aegidius van Braam]] (1758–1822) a Dutch naval vice-admiral
* [[Pierre van Paassen]] (1895–1968) a Dutch–Canadian-American journalist, writer, and Unitarian minister
* [[Roger van Boxtel]] (born 1954) a retired Dutch politician and businessman, lives in Gorinchem
[[File:Meyssens, Johannes - Abraham Bloemaert.jpg|140px|thumb|Abraham Bloemaert]]
[[File:IdaGerhardt.jpg|140px|thumb|Ida Gerhardt, 1968]]

=== The arts ===
* [[Abraham Bloemaert]] (1566–1651) Dutch painter and printmaker in etching and engraving <ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Bloemaert,_Abraham |volume=04 |short=x}}</ref>
* [[Anthonie Verstraelen]] (1593/1594–1641) a Dutch landscape painter of winter scenes
* [[Aert van der Neer]] ({{Circa|1603}}–1677) a [[Dutch Golden Age]] landscape painter <ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Neer,_van_der |volume=19 |short=x}}</ref>
* [[Cornelis Saftleven]] (ca.1607–1681) a Dutch painter, worked in many genres
* [[Jacob van der Ulft]] (1621–1689) a Dutch painter, glass painter, print artist, architect and Mayor of Gorinchem 1660 to 1679
* [[Hendrik Verschuring]] (1627–1690) a [[Dutch Golden Age]] landscape painter
* [[Jan van der Heyden]] (1637–1712) a Dutch Baroque-era painter, glass painter, draughtsman and printmaker
* [[Ida Gerhardt]] (1905–1997) a classicist and Dutch poet of a post-symbolist tradition
* [[A. Teeuw]] (1921–2012) a Dutch critic of Indonesian literature
* [[Jan van Munster]] (1939–2024) a Dutch sculptor and installation artist
* [[Dinand Woesthoff]] (born 1972) a Dutch musician, lead singer with Dutch band [[Kane (Dutch band)|Kane]]
* [[Nikos Vertis]] (born 1976) a Greek singer
* Boaz de Jong (born 1988) stage name ''[[Boaz van de Beatz]]'', a Dutch record producer and DJ
* Chu Lan-ting (born 1990) stage name ''[[Diana Wang]]'', a Dutch-born Taiwanese singer and film actress

=== Science & business ===
* [[Gerard Boate]] (1604–1650) physician and author of ''The Natural History of Ireland'' <ref>{{cite DNB|wstitle=Boate,_Gerard |volume=05}}</ref> and his brother 
* [[Arnold Boate]] (1606–1653) a Dutch physician and Hebrew scholar <ref>{{cite DNB|wstitle=Boate,_Arnold |volume=05}}</ref>
* [[Louis Jérôme Reiche]] (1799–1890) a French merchant, manufacturer and entomologist
* [[Berend George Escher]] (1885–1967) a Dutch geologist and vulcanologist
* [[Frans Michel Penning]] (1894–1953) a Dutch experimental physicist

=== Sport ===
* [[Ab Oord]] (1885–1961) a Dutch weightlifter, competed at the [[1924 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Hadriaan van Nes]] (born 1942) a retired rower, team silver medallist at the [[1968 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Ruud Brood]] (born 1962) a football manager and former player with over 300 club caps
* [[Arie Loef]] (born 1969) a retired speed skater, competed at the [[1992 Winter Olympics|1992]] and [[1994 Winter Olympics]]
* [[Marco van Hoogdalem]] (born 1972) a retired Dutch football player with over 350 club caps
* [[Henk Norel]] (born 1987) a Dutch basketball player, 79 games with the [[Netherlands national basketball team]]
* [[Frenkie de Jong]] (born 1997) a Dutch football player who is currently playing for [[FC Barcelona]].

==International relations==
Gorinchem is twinned with
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|
* {{flagicon|KOR}} [[Gangjin]], South Korea
||
* {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Sint Niklaas]], Belgium
|}

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed">
Image:Gorichem, Grote Kerk foto1 2010-06-27 13.37.JPG|Gorinchem, church: de Grote Kerk
File:Gorinchem 2019 2.jpg|Gorinchem
Image:Gorinchem, monumentaal pand 2006-06-13 15.14.JPG|Gorinchem, historic building
Image:Gorinchem, molen 2007-03-15 15.43.JPG|Gorinchem, windmill
Image:Tussen Gorinchem en Arkel, de Haarbrug foto3 2010-06-27 12.36.JPG|between Gorinchem and Arkel, bridge: de Haarbrug
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Gorinchem}}
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.gorinchem.nl Official website]
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Gorinchem }}

<!--Please note that not all directions need to be filled-->
<!--Please note that preferably only neighboring municipalities or bodies of water should be used-->
{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Gorinchem
|North     = [[Molenlanden]]
|East      = [[West Betuwe]]{{space}}([[Gelderland|GE]])
|Southeast = ''[[Waal (river)|Waal]]'' / [[Zaltbommel]]{{space}}([[Gelderland|GE]])
|South     = ''[[Boven Merwede]]''<br />[[Altena, North Brabant|Altena]]{{space}}([[North Brabant|NB]])
|West      = [[Hardinxveld-Giessendam]]
}}

{{South Holland Province}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Gorinchem| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of South Holland]]
[[Category:Populated places in South Holland]]
[[Category:Alblasserwaard]]