Editing Weesp

{{for|the Belarusian alternative rock band|Weesp (band)}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
<!-- Name and transliteration -->
| name                    = Weesp
| settlement_type         = [[List of cities in the Netherlands by province|City]] 
<!-- Images, nickname, motto -->
| image_skyline           = {{Photomontage|position=center
| photo1a = 38644 't Haantje (cropped).jpg
| photo2a = RM38539 Weesp - Herengracht.jpg
| photo2b = Vechtstreek 37.jpg
| photo3a = Vechtstreek 26.jpg
   | size = 270
   | spacing = 2
   | color = #FFFFFF
   | border = 0
   | foot_montage = Images, from top down, left to right: 't Haantje windmill, Herengracht, city docks and Vechtstreek}}
| image_flag              = Weesp Netherlands.svg
| flag_size               = 100x67px
| flag_alt                = 
| image_shield            = Coat of arms of Weesp.svg
| shield_size             = 100x80px
| shield_alt              = 
| image_blank_emblem      = Gemeente Amsterdam Weesp logo.png
| blank_emblem_type       = Brandmark
| blank_emblem_size       =100
| blank_emblem_alt        = 
| blank_emblem_link       = 
<!-- Maps, coordinates -->
| image_map               = Map - NL - Municipality code 0457 (2009).svg
| map_alt                 = Highlighted position of Weesp in a municipal map of North Holland
| map_caption             = Location in North Holland
| coordinates             = {{coord|52|18|N|5|3|E|region:NL|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes   = 
| subdivision_type        = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name        = [[Netherlands]]
| subdivision_type1       = [[Provinces of the Netherlands|Province]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[North Holland]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[Municipalities of the Netherlands|Municipality]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[Amsterdam]]
<!-- 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|Weesp}}
| area_land_km2           = {{Dutch municipality land area|Weesp}}
| area_water_km2          = {{Dutch municipality water area|Weesp}}
| elevation_footnotes     = <ref name="AHN">{{cite web 
 |url = http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool
 |title = Postcodetool for 1381BD
 |language = nl
 |author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> 
 |work = Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland
 |publisher = Het Waterschapshuis
 |access-date = 24 March 2014}}</ref>
| elevation_m             = 1
| 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|Weesp}}
| population_as_of        = {{MONTHNAME|{{Dutch municipality population|popbasemonth}}}} {{Dutch municipality population|popbaseyear}}
| population_density_km2  = {{Dutch municipality population density|Weesp}} <!-- For automatic calculation: auto-->
| population_demonym      = Weesper
<!-- Other information -->
| timezone                = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset              = +1
| timezone_DST            = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST          = +2
| postal_code_type        = [[Postal codes in the Netherlands|Postcode]]
| postal_code             = 1380–1384
| area_code_type          = [[Telephone numbers in the Netherlands|Area code]]
| area_code               = 0294
| website                 = {{URL|1=https://www.amsterdam.nl/stadsdelen/weesp/}}
| footnotes               =
}}
[[File:Weesp, voormalig stadhuis - tegenwoordig museum RM38608 IMG 0330 2019-06-30 14.17.jpg|Weesp, former city hall - nowadays museum|thumb|250px]]
'''Weesp''' ({{IPA|nl|ʋeːsp|-|Nl-Weesp.ogg}}) is a [[List of cities in the Netherlands by province|city]] and an urban area in the [[Municipalities of the Netherlands|municipality]] of [[Amsterdam]] in the [[Provinces of the netherlands|province]] of [[North Holland]], [[Netherlands]]. It had a population of {{formatnum:{{Dutch municipality population|Weesp}}}} in {{YEAR|{{Dutch municipality population|popbaseyear}}}}. It lies on the river [[Vecht (Utrecht)|Vecht]] and next to the [[Amsterdam–Rhine Canal]] in an area called the [[Vechtstreek]]. The former municipality of Weesp merged with Amsterdam on 24 March 2022.<ref name="herindeling"/><ref name="weespermop"/>

== History ==
[[File:Gem-Weesp-OpenTopo.jpg|thumb|left|Topographic map of Weesp, January 2016]]
Until the early [[Middle Ages]] the region around Weesp was an uninhabited [[Bog|peat bog]]. Weesp (Wesopa in [[Latin]] documents) was granted [[city rights]] in 1355 and celebrated its 650th anniversary as a city in 2005.

From the late Middle Ages, the river Vecht was a defensive line for the County of Holland and it remained a military defensive line until the [[World War II|Second World War]]. Weesp was strongly fortified, more than its size would justify; for most of its history it had a few thousand inhabitants.

The defensive lines consisted of inundation zones, which would be flooded in wartime (the [[Hollandic Water Line]]). Behind them were fortified towns, forts, barracks and other military structures. The most comprehensive was the Defence Line of Amsterdam ([[Stelling van Amsterdam]]), a circular inundation zone around Amsterdam, a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name="pm759">[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/759 ''Defence line of Amsterdam'' on the UNESCO website]</ref>

After the Second World War, new housing was built in the west and an industrial zone with a harbour at the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal was constructed. In the 1970s a suburb was built on the south. Another suburb was built in the north which recently expanded with plans for further expansion.

Before the reformation the church was dedicated to Saint Lawrence. It is still in use for Protestant services. In the tower it has a famous carillon by Pieter [[Hemony]] cast in 1671. Following the 19th Century emancipation of Dutch Catholics, a Catholic church was erected in Weesp.

The [[Government of the Netherlands|Dutch government]] considered Weesp too small to continue as an independent municipality.<ref name="weespermop"/> In a 2018 referendum, 57.4% of the inhabitants voted in favor of a merger with Amsterdam.<ref name="weespermop"/> On 1 June 2019 the civil service offices of the municipality of Weesp merged with those of the municipality of Amsterdam in preparation of the merger of the two municipalities.<ref name="herindeling">{{Cite web|url=https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stb-2021-296.html/|title=Wet van 9 juni 2021 tot herindeling van de gemeenten Amsterdam en Weesp|website=www.officielebekendmakingen.nl/|language=nl|access-date=2021-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016083748/https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stb-2021-296.html/ |archive-date=October 16, 2021}}</ref> [[Bas Jan van Bochove]] was the last mayor of the municipality of Weesp until the merger was finalized on 24 March 2022.<ref name="weespermop">{{cite web |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2422461-weesp-is-nu-een-stukje-amsterdam-maar-ik-blijf-een-weespermop |title=Weesp is nu een stukje Amsterdam, maar 'Ik blijf een Weespermop' |website= NOS Nieuws |date=March 24, 2022 |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323134845/https://nos.nl/artikel/2422461-weesp-is-nu-een-stukje-amsterdam-maar-ik-blijf-een-weespermop }}</ref>

== Population centres ==
The municipality of Weesp consisted of three towns: De Horn, Uitermeer, and Weesp. The north of the city of Weesp is known for its [[Hogewey]] dementia village.

== Economy ==
[[File:Parts of a Service, Porseleinfabriek Weesp, c. 1764-1768.jpg|thumb|left|Parts of tableware from the porcelain factory of Weesp, c. 1764-1768. [[Rijks Museum]].]]
The first Dutch [[porcelain]] originated in Weesp and dates to 1759.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Eyewitness |first1=D. K. |title=DK Eyewitness The Netherlands |date=6 July 2017 |publisher=Dorling Kindersley Limited |isbn=978-0-241-45190-8 |page=33 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2KXDDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA33 |language=en}}</ref> The venture was led by [[Bertrand Philip, Count of Gronsveld]].

[[File:Weesp, Netherlands - panoramio (9).jpg|250px|thumb|[[Amsterdam–Rhine Canal]]]]
The most famed product of Weesp is [[Coenraad Johannes van Houten|Van Houten]] chocolate. Before cocoa production, the local economy had been based on beer breweries, [[jenever]] distilleries, production of Weesper porcelain, and trade, due to its location on a branch point of waterways. In the 21st century, the economy is very diverse.

There were large facilities of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, until February 2010 when [[Abbott Laboratories]] of North Chicago, Illinois acquired Solvay Pharmaceuticals. At this site there is a chemical plant which manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredient for Abbott brands Duphalac and Duphaston and a biologic plant which manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredient for Abbott's flu vaccine Influvac. The local specialty is the Weesper Mop cookie, which is based on mashed almond.

== Tourism ==
Weesp is a popular stop for tourists. It has a protected historical center with canals and many buildings dating from the seventeenth and eighteenth century. Weesp has three full-size historical windmills. It features a [[bastion]] and [[fortification]]s that are part of the [[Stelling van Amsterdam|Defense line of Amsterdam]] and the [[Dutch Water Line]]. These structures have never been attacked, though. The scenic river [[Vecht (Utrecht)|Vecht]] and the small roads that line it attract yachters and cyclists. The Naardermeer area, the first [[nature reserve]] in the Netherlands, is at 15 minutes cycling distance from Weesp; it protects the [[Gooi]] landscape. The Weesp local museum is located in the former [[City Hall, Weesp|city hall]].

== Urban area government ==
The seats in the Weesp administrative committee elected on 16 March 2022 for four years are divided between the political parties as follows [https://www.amsterdam.nl/stadsdelen/weesp/bestuur-weesp/samenstelling-bestuurscommissie-weesp/]:
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* Weesper Stadspartij – 3 seats
* [[GroenLinks]] – 2 seats
* [[Christian Democratic Appeal]] – 2 seats
* [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy]] – 2 seats
* [[Democrats 66]] – 1 seat
* [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]] – 1 seat
}}

== Transport ==
Weesp has one railway station, [[Weesp railway station|Weesp]]. It serves as a transfer station for passengers on local trains on the Amsterdam–[[Amersfoort]] (''[[Amsterdam–Zutphen railway|Oosterspoorweg]]'') and [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol]]–[[Almere]] (''[[Weesp–Leiden railway|Schiphollijn]]'' and ''[[Weesp–Lelystad railway|Flevolijn]]'') lines, which bundle up just before Weesp and diverge right after. Weesp therefore benefits from 16 departures per hour, serving many destinations including [[Amsterdam Centraal station|Amsterdam Centraal]], [[Schiphol Airport railway station|Schiphol Airport]], [[Hilversum railway station|Hilversum]], [[Amersfoort Centraal railway station|Amersfoort Centraal]] and [[Utrecht Centraal railway station|Utrecht Centraal]] four times per hour.

In front of the railway station there is a small bus station with services to neighbouring towns and villages such as [[Muiden]], [[Muiderberg]], and [[Nigtevecht]] and to [[Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station]].

== Notable people ==
[[File:George van der Mijn - Portret van Cornelis Ploos van Amstel (1726-1798).jpg|140px|thumb|Portrait of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel, ca.1758]]
* [[Thomas Hees]] (1634-1693) a Dutch diplomat, negotiated for the [[Seventeen Provinces]] with the [[Barbary corsairs]]
* [[Salomon van Til]] (1643-1713) a theologian of the [[Dutch Reformed Church]] 
* [[Bernardus van Schijndel]] (1647–1709) a [[Dutch Golden Age]] painter of small scale [[genre works]] 
* [[Cornelis Ploos van Amstel]] (1726–1798) a Dutch painter and art collector
* [[Coenraad Johannes van Houten]] (1801 – 1887 in Weesp) a Dutch chemist and chocolate maker
* [[Willy Mullens]] (1880-1952) a Dutch producer, director, and promoter of movies <ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0612076/  IMDb Database] retrieved 09 January 2020</ref>
* [[Phemia Molkenboer]] (1883–1940) a Dutch ceramist, furniture designer and art teacher
* [[Willem van Beusekom]] (1947–2006) a Dutch broadcaster, TV presenter and radio DJ
* [[Wendy van Dijk]] (born 1971) a Dutch actress and TV presenter <ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1133409/  IMDb Database] retrieved 09 January 2020</ref>

=== Sport ===
* [[Marco Ruitenbeek]] (born 1968) a former Dutch footballer with over 250 club caps
* [[Antoni Hardonk]] (born 1976) a Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer

== See also ==
* [[Porcelain manufacturing companies in Europe]]
* [[Bertrand Philip, Count of Gronsveld]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
*{{commons category-inline}}
*{{Wikivoyage-inline|Weesp}}
* [https://www.amsterdam.nl/stadsdelen/weesp/ Official website] {{in lang|nl}}

{{Amsterdam}}
{{Neighborhoods of Amsterdam}}
{{Authority control|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Weesp| ]]
[[Category:Boroughs of Amsterdam]]
[[Category:Cities in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Former municipalities of North Holland]]
[[Category:Populated places in North Holland]]