Vianen Explained

Vianen
Settlement Type:City and former municipality
Flag Size:100x67px
Map Alt:Highlighted position of Vianen in a municipal map of Utrecht
Coordinates:52°N 11°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Netherlands
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Utrecht
Subdivision Type2:Municipality
Subdivision Name2:Vijfheerenlanden
Extinct Title:Merged
Extinct Date:2019
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:42.39
Area Land Km2:39.45
Area Water Km2:2.94
Population Note:Source: CBS, Statline.
Population Total:20423
Population As Of:November, 2018
Timezone:CET
Utc Offset:+1
Timezone Dst:CEST
Utc Offset Dst:+2
Postal Code Type:Postcode
Postal Code:4130–4133
Area Code Type:Area code
Area Code:0347

Vianen (in Dutch; Flemish pronounced as /viˈjaːnə(n)/) is a city and a former municipality in the central Netherlands, in the province of Utrecht. It is located south of the Lek river. Before 2002 it was part of the province of South Holland. Vianen is made up of a historic town centre that dates back to the medieval period and was once surrounded by a defensive wall (parts of which still stand today) and moat, as well as more extensive modern housing developments to the east, south and southwest and an industrial and commercial area. Vianen is intersected by two major motorways leading to the city of Utrecht: the A2 (Amsterdam-Maastricht) and the A27 (Breda-Almere).The municipality was merged with the municipalities of Leerdam and Zederik on 1 January 2019. The name of the new municipality is Vijfheerenlanden which is part of the Utrecht province.

The city of Vianen

Vianen received city rights in 1337. Vianen thrived under the counts of Brederode, who acquired its lordship through marriage early in the 15th century. It formed a self-proclaimed sovereign seignory till 1795, including Vianen, Lexmond, Hei- en Boeicop and Meerkerk. During the Middle Ages, as a "free city," Vianen could be a haven for felons and escaped serfs. Of the three castles built during the town's history, Batestein Castle was said to be one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands. Its only remnants are a 17th-century brick gate and water-pump. Remnants of the old city wall are visible girdling parts of the old downtown.

Vianen celebrates its city rights every year in October with a traditional horse market. Besides the horses there are also other activities on this day, such as a fair and market and traditional Dutch games.

Notable residents

Notes and References

  1. News: Mike. Barnes. Joaquin Martinez, a Warrior in Film and TV Westerns, Dies at 81 . . 2012-01-26 . 2011-01-28.