Schildwolde (Gronings: Schewôl) is a village in the Dutch province of Groningen. It is part of the municipality of Midden-Groningen. It is known for its detached church tower from the 13th century.

Schildwolde
Church tower at Schildwolde
Church tower at Schildwolde
Schildwolde is located in Groningen (province)
Schildwolde
Schildwolde
Location in province of Groningen in the Netherlands
Schildwolde is located in Netherlands
Schildwolde
Schildwolde
Schildwolde (Netherlands)
Coordinates: 53°13′57″N 6°48′50″E / 53.2324°N 6.8140°E / 53.2324; 6.8140
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceGroningen
MunicipalityMidden-Groningen
Area
 • Total
17.80 km2 (6.87 sq mi)
Elevation0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total
1,685
 • Density95/km2 (250/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
9626
Dialing code0598

History

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Schildwolde was first mentioned in the 10th or 11th century as Scelduualda. The origin of the name is unclear and probably means swampy forest.[3] In 1204, the Premonstratensian monastery of Gratiae Sanctae Mariae was founded in Schildwolde.[4] It was originally a double monastery for monks and nuns. Later, only the convent remained.[5] In 1223 or 1224, there was a dispute between the monastery of Schildwolde and the monastery of Wittewierum [nl], and angry peasants burned down the monastery and church, but the tower remained standing.[6][7]

The current tower displays 1289 as its year of construction, however it contains older parts, and the year was probably added during a 1829 reconstruction.[4] The tower is 55 metres (180 ft) tall, and has a 9 metres (30 ft) square base.[7] The convent was destroyed in 1594. In 1686, a Dutch Reformed Church was built next to tower, however the two buildings are detached.[4] Every year, from 20:00 on 31 December until 08:00 on 1 January, the bells in the tower are rung continuously to chase away evil spirits.[8] On the night of 1964 to 1965, one of the bells was torn after 12 hours of service, and had to be repaired.[9]

In 1909, Schildwolde had a population of 897 people and was part of the municipality of Slochteren.[10] Between 1929 and 1941, there was a joint railway station with Hellum in Schildwolde on the line to Weiwerd.[11] In 2017, it became part of the municipality of Midden-Groningen.[12]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Postcodetool for 9626AA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Schildwolde". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Redmer Alma (1998). Schildwolde (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders Uitgevers. p. 191. ISBN 90-400-9258-3. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  5. ^ "De Norbertijnse historie in Groningen". Heilige Norbertus Parochie (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  6. ^ J.H. Broek Roelofs. Overzicht van de geschiedenis van de gereformeerde kerk te Schildwolde (in Dutch). Toxopeus. p. 4. 1224 source
  7. ^ a b "Toren en kerk te Schildwolde". Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 4 September 1925. Retrieved 6 March 2022. 1223 source
  8. ^ "Kloksmeer in Schildwolde: 'Ik kom er speciaal voor terug'". RTV Noord (in Dutch). 31 December 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  9. ^ "Grootste luidklok van juffertoren gescheurd". Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 7 January 1965. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  10. ^ Uitkomsten der negende tienjaarlijksche volkstelling gehouden op den een en dertigsten December 1909 (in Dutch). 1912. p. 53. Retrieved 6 March 2022. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  11. ^ "station Schildwolde- Hellum". Stationsweb (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  12. ^ "Schildwolde". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  13. ^ "Mr.Dr. H. (Hendrik) Goeman Borgesius". Dutch Parliament (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 March 2022.