Editing Winschoten

{{More citations needed|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = Winschoten
| native_name             = {{native name|gos|Winschoot}}
| settlement_type         = [[City]]
| image_skyline           = Winschoten Burgemeester Schönfeldplein.jpg
| image_size              = 250px
| image_alt               = 
| image_caption           = City center of Winschoten in 2010
| image_flag              = Flag of Winschoten.svg
| flag_size               = 100px
| flag_alt                = 
| image_shield            = Winschoten wapen.svg
| shield_size             = 75px
| shield_alt              = 
| image_blank_emblem = Gemeente Winschoten logo (without St. Vitus).jpg
| blank_emblem_type  = [[Logo|(former) brandmark]]
| nicknames                = Sodom, Molenstad
| motto                   = 
| image_map               = Map - NL - Municipality code 0052 (2009).svg
| map_alt                 = Highlighted position of Winschoten in a municipal map of Groningen
| map_caption             = Location in Groningen
| pushpin_map             = Netherlands Groningen#Netherlands
| pushpin_label_position  = 
| pushpin_map_alt         = 
| pushpin_map_caption     = Location in the province of [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]] in the [[Netherlands]]
| coordinates             = {{coord|53|9|N|7|2|E|region:NL-GR|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint           = 
| coordinates_footnotes   = 
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = [[Netherlands]]
| subdivision_type1       = Province
| subdivision_name1       = [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]]
| subdivision_type2       = Municipality
| subdivision_name2       = [[Oldambt (municipality)|Oldambt]]
| established_title       = 
| established_date        = 
| founder                 = 
| seat_type               = 
| seat                    = 
| government_footnotes    = 
| leader_party            = 
| leader_title            = 
| leader_name             = 
| unit_pref               = Metric
| area_footnotes          = &nbsp;(2006)
| area_note               = 
| area_total_km2          = 22.24
| area_land_km2           = 21.66
| area_water_km2          = 0.58
| length_km               = 
| width_km                = 
| dimensions_footnotes    = 
| elevation_footnotes     = 
| elevation_m             = 
| population_footnotes    = <ref>[[Statistics Netherlands|CBS]], [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline].</ref>
| population_total        = 18,518
| population_as_of        = 1 January 2007
| population_density_km2  = auto
| population_demonym      = 
| population_note         = 
| 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|Postal code]]
| postal_code             = 9670–9675 
| area_code_type          = 
| area_code               = 0597<ref>[http://www.telefoonboek.nl/netnummer/ Netnummer zoeken] (in Dutch), Telefoonboek.nl. Retrieved 15 December 2015.</ref>
| iso_code                = 
| website                 = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| footnotes               = 
}}

'''Winschoten''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈʋɪnsxoːtə(n)|lang|Nl-Winschoten.oga}}; {{langx|gos|Winschoot}}) is a [[city]] with a population of 18,518 in the municipality of [[Oldambt (municipality)|Oldambt]] in the northeast of the [[Netherlands]]. It is the largest city in the region of [[Oldambt (region)|Oldambt]] in the province of [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]] which has 38,213 inhabitants.

Winschoten received its [[City rights in the Netherlands|city rights]] in 1825. It was a separate [[Municipalities of the Netherlands|municipality]] until it was merged into Oldambt in 2010. The seat of government of Oldambt is in Winschoten.

There are three windmills and several churches in Winschoten. There is a [[Winschoten railway station|railway station]] with direct connections to [[Groningen]] and [[Leer, Lower Saxony|Leer]] (Germany), although due to the reconstruction of the [[Friesenbrücke]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deutschebahn.com/de/presse/presse-regional/pr-hamburg-de/aktuell/presseinformationen-regional/Friesenbruecke-Europas-groesste-Hub-Dreh-Bruecke-8855950# |title=Friesenbrücke - Europas größte Hub-Dreh-Brücke |trans-title=Friesenbrücke - Europe's largest lifting and rotating bridge |language=German |publisher=Deutsche Bahn |date=16 March 2022 |accessdate=21 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deutschebahn.com/de/presse/presse-regional/pr-hamburg-de/aktuell/presseinformationen-regional/Europas-groesste-Hub-Dreh-Bruecke-entsteht-Deutsche-Bahn-baut-neue-Friesenbruecke-8855826# |title=Europas größte Hub-Dreh-Brücke entsteht: Deutsche Bahn baut neue Friesenbrücke |trans-title=Europe's largest lifting and rotating bridge is being built: Deutsche Bahn is building a new Frisian bridge |language=German |publisher=Deutsche Bahn |date=23 July 2021 |accessdate=21 April 2023}}</ref> trains to Germany will stop at [[Weener]] until 2024. Winschoten has an important role as a shopping centre for the region of Oldambt. In the province of Groningen, it is the second-largest shopping destination and it attracts many consumers from nearby Germany.

== Etymology ==
[[File:Overzicht van de kerk op het Marktplein met de vrijstaande toren op de achtergrond, vanuit het noordoosten gezien - Winschoten - 20416422 - RCE.jpg|thumb|Church and tower Winschoten]]
[[File:Rathaus Winschoten.jpg|thumb|City hall Winschoten]]
[[File:Winschoten, molen Edens.JPG|thumb|Windmill 'Edens' in Winschoten]]
[[File:Langestraat, Winschoten (2017).jpg|thumb|Pedestrian shopping street: Langestraat]]
[[File:Posttil as seen from across the harbour, Winschoten (2017).jpg|thumb|Posttil retailcentre in Winschoten]]

The origin of the name of Winschoten is not known but it has received nicknames. One of these is ''Molenstad'' (or ''Milltown''). It has also been known, in living memory, as [[Sodom and Gomorrah|Sodom]]. This name arose out of the Jewish community who were scandalised by the immoral behaviour of their Gentile neighbours. The inhabitants are also called ''Tellerlikkers'' (plate lickers).

==Geography==
Winschoten was the capital of the [[Oldambt (region)|Oldambt]] district, in a fertile agricultural region. Winschoten received [[City rights in the Netherlands|city rights]] in 1825. It was the last town in the Netherlands to be granted such rights and it was more of a symbolic gesture. The town flag has three horizontal stripes of blue and white, in ratio 1:3:1, on the white stripe is a red outline plan of a fortress with nine embattlements. It was adopted 23 May 1973 by municipal resolution. The coat of arms is an image of [[Saint Vitus]], whose name can also be recognized in many streetnames, schoolnames names of clubs, etc.

Winschoten is located at {{coord|53|9|N|7|2|E}} (53.15, 7.03) in the municipality of [[Oldambt (municipality)|Oldambt]], in the east of the province of [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]], and in the northeast of the Netherlands. It is situated east of [[Groningen]], [[Hoogezand]], and [[Veendam]], north of [[Stadskanaal]], south of [[Delfzijl]], and west of [[Leer, Lower Saxony|Leer]] and [[Papenburg]] (both in Germany). It is also south of the [[Dollart]] and the [[Oldambtmeer]].

<gallery>
File:Netherlands, Winschoten, map, around 1865-1870.jpg|The municipality around 1870
File:Winschoten-plaats-OpenTopo.jpg|Topographic map of Winschoten, June 2014
</gallery>

==Windmills==
There used to be 13 mills in Winschoten, today only three large, monumental windmills remain in the town. These mills are now owned by the local council and are run by volunteer millers. They form an important feature of the townscape and are well cared for by the local authorities for the benefit of the community and visitors.

Molen Berg, built in 1854 at the Grintweg, was designed to grind corn. Its first owner was J.D. Buurma. The unusual design of the sails with movable blades, akin to venetian blinds was in advance for its time. Traditionally Dutch windmills have tarpaulin covering the sails to control or catch the wind's power.

The Dijkstra Molen in the Nassaustraat was built in 1862 by D.E. Dijkstra. In 1953 the original owner's grandson sold it to the local government. It was restored 1982/1983 and further restoration work took place in 1995/-6 restoration.

Molen Edens, at Nassaustraat 14, was built in 1763 on the instructions of Jurrien Balles and Antje Gerbrands. Later owners were Jan Joesten and G. Eikema. Then from 1855 till 1960 various generations of the Edens family owned it. The local municipality bought it in 1960. It is the oldest mill in the entire province of Groningen.

==Churches==
There are numerous Protestant churches in Winschoten including an assembly of [[Plymouth Brethren]]. The oldest church dates back to the 13th century in style mingling Roman and Gothic features. There is a Dutch Reformed church on Marktplein. A free-standing 16th-century bell tower is one of the features of the Winschoten skyline.

There is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to [[Saint Vitus]], built by [[Alfred Tepe]] in 1880. It is a neo-gothic church with stained glass windows by Kocken and a sandstone high altar from Freitag in Münster. This altar was formerly placed in the Saint Boniface church in [[Nieuwe Pekela]]. When this church was demolished it was brought to Winschoten to replace an old altar.

There used to be a thriving Jewish community. During the Second World War, Winschoten was a transit port to Germany for the Jew-transports. Of the 493 Jews that lived in Winschoten at the beginning of the war, only 20 survived.

==Monuments==
The name ''tellerlikker'' (mentioned above) was given on account of the local custom to voraciously devour their meals and conclude with licking the plate (''teller'' - in the local dialect) clean. A monument to one of these plate lickers stands on the Oldambt Square, in front of an area where the theatre 'De Klinker', built on the site of a former brick factory, used to be. A dog in turn licks the feet of his greedy owner.

==Language==
The official language is Dutch, but many Winschoters especially of older generations speak the local dialect called Gronings. In addition, many inhabitants are able to speak German or English. The Winschoter version of the dialect Gronings has influences of Hebrew and Yiddish as a consequence of the once prominent Jewish community that had lived there since the 18th century.

==Sports==
Winschoten is host to the oldest [[Ultramarathon]] of the Netherlands since 1976 called ''De RUN''. It is a race of {{convert|100|km|0|abbr=on}} run individually over a {{convert|10|km|0|abbr=on}} paved lap through the town. The current record of 06:16:41 is held by [[Jean-Paul Praet]] since 1992. During the event, that is usually held on the second Saturday of September, there is also the possibility to run a {{convert|50|km|0|abbr=on}} race or to compete with a group in a 10x10 km relay race.<ref>{{cite web|title=RUN Winschoten|url=http://www.runwinschoten.nl/|publisher=Stichting Ultraloop Winschoten|access-date=18 May 2013}}</ref>

Winschoten also hosted the start and finish of the first stage at the [[2013 Energiewacht Tour]].
{{clearleft}}

== Transportation ==
[[File:Winschoten.jpg|thumb|[[Winschoten railway station]] in 2006]]

Winschoten has a [[Winschoten railway station|railway station]] with train services towards [[Groningen (city)|Groningen]] and [[Leer, Lower Saxony|Leer]] (in [[Germany]]). The railway station was inaugurated 1 May 1868 to service the Groningen–Winschoten–Nieuweschans line. This was the second{{Clarify|date=November 2017|reason=Second of what?}} brought into use by the Company for the Exploitation of State Railways (Maatschappij tot Exploitatie van Staatsspoorwegen) and part of the [[Harlingen–Nieuweschans railway]] (built 1863–1868). Today this route is operated by [[Arriva]].

Winschoten also has a road connection to the rest of the Netherlands and Germany via the [[A7 motorway (Netherlands)|A7 motorway]] ([[European route E22|E22]]).

==Notable people==

* [[Wiebbe Hayes]] ({{circa|1608}}), Dutch soldier and national hero in the 17th century
* [[Arnold Hendrik Koning]] (1860–1945), Dutch painter
* [[Dirk Stikker]] (1897–1979), Dutch minister of Foreign Affairs (1948–1952) and NATO Secretary-General (1961–1964)
* [[Bernard D. H. Tellegen]] (1900–1990), Dutch engineer and inventor
* [[Jaap Meijer (writer)|Jaap Meijer]] (1912–1993), Dutch historian and poet<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/bork001nede01_01/bork001nede01_01_0879.php |author=G.J. van Bork & P.J. Verkruijsse|year=1985|title=De Nederlandse en Vlaamse auteurs |location=Weesp|publisher=De Haan|isbn=9022845656|language=nl}}</ref>
* [[Herman Makkink]], (1937–2013), Dutch sculptor, graphic artist, and illustrator
* [[Klaas Nuninga]] (1940) Dutch footballer and official
* [[Bas Jan Ader]] (1942–lost at sea 1975), Dutch artist 
* [[Piet Hamberg]] (1954), Dutch footballer and football manager
* [[Henriëtte Weersing]] (1965), Dutch volleyball player
* [[Marcel Hensema]] (1970), Actor
* [[Bert Zuurman]] (1973), Dutch footballer
* [[Marnix Kolder]] (1981), Dutch footballer
* [[Marcel Seip]] (1982), Dutch footballer

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Winschoten}}

{{Geographic location
|title     = '''Neighbouring cities and villages.'''
|Centre    = Winschoten
|North     = ''[[Oldambtmeer]]'' / [[Finsterwolde]]
|Northeast = [[Beerta]]
|East      = [[Bad Nieuweschans]]
|Southeast = [[Bellingwolde]]
|South     = [[Pekela]] / [[Blijham]]
|Southwest = [[Veendam]]
|West      = [[Zuidbroek, Groningen|Zuidbroek]]
|Northwest = [[Scheemda]]
}}
{{Dutch municipality Oldambt}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Oldambt (municipality)]]
[[Category:Populated places in Groningen (province)]]
[[Category:Former municipalities of Groningen (province)]]
[[Category:Municipalities of the Netherlands disestablished in 2010]]
[[Category:Cities in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Holocaust locations in the Netherlands]]