Hilversum
Hilversum | |||
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City and municipality | |||
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Location in North Holland | |||
Coordinates: 52°14′N 5°10′E / 52.233°N 5.167°E / 52.233; 5.167Coordinates: 52°14′N 5°10′E / 52.233°N 5.167°E / 52.233; 5.167 | |||
Country | Netherlands | ||
Province |
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Government[1] | |||
• Body | Municipal council | ||
• Mayor | Pieter Broertjes (PvdA) | ||
• Aldermen |
List of aldermen
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Area[2] | |||
• Total | 46.35 km2 (17.90 sq mi) | ||
• Land | 45.62 km2 (17.61 sq mi) | ||
• Water | 0.73 km2 (0.28 sq mi) | ||
Elevation[3] | 15 m (49 ft) | ||
Population (August 2017)[4] | |||
• Total | 89,067 | ||
• Density | 1,958/km2 (5,070/sq mi) | ||
Demonym(s) | Hilversummer | ||
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
Postcode | 1200–1223 | ||
Area code | 035 | ||
Website |
www |
Hilversum (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦɪlvərsʏm] (
Town
Hilversum lies 24 km (15 mi) south-east of Amsterdam and 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Utrecht. The town is known for its architecturally important Town Hall (Raadhuis Hilversum), designed by Willem Marinus Dudok and built in 1931.
Hilversum has one public library, two swimming pools (Van Hellemond Sport and De Lieberg), a number of sporting halls and several shopping centres (such as Hilvertshof, De Gijsbrecht, Kerkelanden, Riebeeck Galerij and Seinhorst). Locally, the town centre is known as het dorp, which means "the village".
Broadcasting
Hilversum is often called "media city", since it is the principal centre for radio and television broadcasting in the Netherlands, and is home to an extensive complex of radio and television studios and to the administrative headquarters of the multiple broadcasting organizations which make up the Netherlands Public Broadcasting system. Hilversum is also home to many newer commercial TV production companies. Radio Netherlands, which has been broadcasting worldwide via shortwave radio since the 1920s, is also based here.
The following is a list of organizations that have, or are continuing to, broadcast from studios in Hilversum:
- NCRV (1924–2013)
- KRO (1925–2013)
- VARA (1925–2013)
- VPRO (1926–present)
- AVRO (1927–2013)
- RVU (1930–2010)
- IKOR (1946–1975)
- NRU (1947–1969)
- RNW (1947–2012)
- NTS (1951–1969)
- IKON (1976–2015)
- NOT (1962–1996)
- Teleac (1963–2010)
- TROS (1964–2013)
- EO (1967–present)
- NOS (1969–present)
- VOO (1976–1995)
- Human (1989–present)
- NPS (1995–2010)
- BNN (1997–2013)
- MAX (2005–present)
- PowNed (2009–present)
- WNL (2009–present)
- NTR (2010–present)
- AVROTROS (2014–present)
- BNNVARA (2014–present)
- KRO-NCRV (2014–present)
One result of the town's history as an important radio transmission centre is that many older radio sets throughout Europe featured Hilversum as a pre-marked dial position on their tuning scales.
Dutch national voting in the Eurovision Song Contest is normally co-ordinated from Hilversum.
History
Earthenware found in Hilversum gives its name to the Hilversum culture, which is an early- to mid-Bronze Age, or 800–1200 BCE material culture. Artifacts from this prehistoric civilization bear similarities to the Wessex Culture of southern Britain and may indicate that the first Hilversum residents emigrated from that area.[5] The first brick settlements formed around 900, but it was not until 1305 that the first official mention of Hilversum ("Hilfersheem" from "Hilvertshem" meaning "houses between the hills") is found. At that point it was a part of Naarden, the oldest town in the Gooi area.
Farming, raising sheep and some wool manufacturing were the means of life for the Gooi in the Middle Ages. In 1424, on 21 March at 6:30 am (the hour at which people got up, as the farm was full of restless and loud animals), Hilversum received its first official independent status. This made possible further growth in the village because permission from Naarden was no longer needed for new industrial development. The town grew further in the 17th century when the Dutch economy as a whole entered its age of prosperity, and several canals were built connecting it indirectly to Amsterdam. In 1725 and 1766 large fires destroyed most of the town, leveling parts of the old townhouse and the church next to it. The town overcame these setbacks and the textile industry continued to develop, among other ways by devising a way to weave cows' hair. In the 19th century a substantial textile and tapestry industry emerged, aided by a railway link to Amsterdam in 1874. From that time the town grew quickly with rich commuters from Amsterdam moving in, building themselves large villas in the wooded surroundings, and gradually starting to live in Hilversum permanently. Despite this growth, Hilversum was never granted city rights so it is still referred to by many locals as "het dorp," or "the village."
For the 1928 Summer Olympics in neighboring Amsterdam, it hosted all of the non-jumping equestrian and the running part of the modern pentathlon event.[6] The city was the headquarters of the German ground forces (Heer) in the Netherlands .
The Nederlandse Seintoestellen Fabriek (NSF) company established a professional transmitter and radio factory in Hilversum in the early 1920s, growing into the largest of its kind in the Netherlands, and in 1948 being taken over by Philips. By then the textile industry had started its decline; only one factory, Veneta, managed to continue into the 1960s, when it also had to close its doors. Another major industry, the chemical factory IFF, also closed by the end of the 1960s. In the meantime, almost all Dutch radio broadcasting organizations (followed by television broadcasters in the 1950s) established their headquarters in Hilversum and provided a source of continuing economic growth. The concentration of broadcasters in Hilversum has given it its enduring status as the media city for the Netherlands.
In 1964, the population reached a record high – over 103,000 people called Hilversum home. The current population hovers around 85,000. Several factors figure into the decline: one is the fact that the average family nowadays consists of fewer people, so fewer people live in each house; second, the town is virtually unable to expand because all the surrounding lands were sold by city architect W.M. Dudok to the Goois Natuurreservaat (nl). The third reason for this decline of the population was because the property values were increasing rapidly in that moment of time, and many people were forced to move to less expensive areas in the Netherlands.
Some sources blame connections in the television world for attracting crime to Hilversum; the town has had to cope with mounting drug-related issues in a community with higher than average unemployment and ongoing housing shortage.
Hilversum was one of the first towns to have a local party of the populist movement called Leefbaar ("liveable"). Founded by former social-democrat party strongman Jan Nagel, it was initially held at bay for alderman positions. In 2001, Nagel from 'Leefbaar Hilversum' teamed up with 'Leefbaar Utrecht' leaders to found a national 'Leefbaar Nederland' party. By strange coincidence, in 2002 the most vocal 'Leefbaar Rotterdam' politician Pim Fortuyn was shot and killed by an animal rights activist at Hilversum Media Park just after finishing a radio interview. This happened, however, after a break between Fortuyn and Nagel during a Leefbaar Nederland board meeting in Hilversum on Fortuyn's anti-Islamic viewpoints.
The town of Hilversum has put a great deal of effort into improvements, including a recent renovation to its central train station, thorough renovation of the main shopping centre (Hilvertshof), and development of new dining and retail districts downtown including the "vintage" district in the Leeuwenstraat. Several notable architectural accomplishments include the Institute for Sound and Vision,[7] and Zanderij Crailoo (nl), the largest man-made wildlife crossing in the world.
The nearby Media Park was the scene of the 2002 assassination of politician Pim Fortuyn; in 2015, a gunman carrying a false pistol stormed into Nederlandse Omroep Stichting's headquarters, demanding airtime on the evening news.
The population declined from 103,000 in 1964 to 84,000 in 2006.
Culture
The large Catholic neo-gothic St. Vitus church (P.J.H. Cuypers, 1892, bell tower 96 metres).
The city played host to many landscape artists during the 19th century, including Barend Cornelis Koekkoek.
The 1958 Eurovision Song Contest took place in Hilversum.
Transport
Railway
Hilversum is well connected to the Dutch railway network, and has three stations.
Station | Notes |
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Hilversum | Opened on 10 June 1874. Served by regional, Intercity and international trains. |
Hilversum Media Park | Opened on 26 May 1974. Previously named Hilversum NOS (1974-1989) and Hilversum Noord (1989-2013). Only served by regional trains. |
Hilversum Sportpark | Opened on 1 June 1886. Previously named Amersfoortsche Straatweg (1886-1919) and Soestdijker Straatweg (1919-1965). Only served by regional trains. |
Public buses
Most local and regional buses are operated by Connexxion, but two of the bus routes are operated by Syntus Utrecht and three others by U-OV. In addition, regional bus route 320 is operated by both Connexxion and Pouw Vervoer. In 2018, major road works started to make room for a new BRT bus lane from Hilversum to Huizen, set to open in early 2021.[8][9]
Local bus lines
Line | Route | Notes |
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1 | Hilversum Station - Centrum (Downtown) - Kerkelanden | |
2 | Hilversum Station - Over 't Spoor - Erfgooiers | |
3 | Hilverum Station - Hilversum Sportpark Station - Tergooi Ziekenhuis (Hospital) |
Regional bus lines
Line | Route | Notes |
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58 | Hilversum Station - Hollandsche Rading - Maartensdijk - Bilthoven - De Bilt - Zeist | Operated by U-OV, Mon-Sat during daytime hours only. |
59 | Hilversum Station - Lage Vuursche - Den Dolder - Huis ter Heide - Zeist | Operated by U-OV, Mon-Sat during daytime hours only. |
70 | Amersfoort Station - Soest Zuid - Soest Overhees - Soestdijk Noord - Hooge Vuursche - Hilversum Station | Operated by Syntus Utrecht. |
101 | Hilversum Station - Blaricum Bijvanck - Huizen - Naarden - Naarden-Bussum Station | Mon-Fri during daytime hours only. |
104 | Hilversum Station - Hilversum-Zuid - Nieuw-Loosdrecht | |
105 | Hilversum Station - Kortenhoef - 's-Graveland - Hilversumse Meent - Naarden-Bussum Station | |
106 | (Hilversum Station - Kortenhoef -) Nederhorst den Berg - Weesp Station | Mon-Sat only. Only runs through from Nederhorst den Berg to Hilversum Mon-Fri during daytime hours. |
107 | Hilversum Station - Hilversum Mediapark - Bussum - Blaricum Ziekenhuis (Hospital) - Huizen | The section between Hilversum and Blaricum is operated 2x per hour with buses running through to Huizen 1x per hour. |
108 | Hilversum Station - Laren - Blaricum Dorp - Huizen | |
109 | Hilversum Station - Eemnes - Laren - Blaricum Ziekenhuis (Hospital) - Naarden-Bussum Station | |
121 | Hilversum Station - Oud-Loosdrecht - Loenen aan de Vecht - Vinkeveen - Wilnis - Mijdrecht | Operated by Syntus Utrecht, Mon-Sat during daytime hours only. Only runs between Hilversum and Loenen aan de Vecht on Saturday. |
320 | Hilversum Station - Blaricum Bijvanck - Huizen - Blaricum Ziekenhuis (Hospital) - Naarden Gooimeer - Muiden P+R - Amsterdam Amstel Station | Operated by both Connexxion and Pouw Vervoer. During weekday daytime hours, Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings, part of the buses only run between Hilversum and Huizen. During morning rush hours, 4 extra buses run between Hilversum Station and Hilversum Arenapark. |
477 | Utrecht Central Station → De Bilt → Bilthoven → Maartensdijk → Hilversum Station | Operated by U-OV. Only runs on Saturday nights (between midnight and 5 AM). |
N32 | Hilversum Station → Eemnes → Blaricum Bijvanck → Huizen | Operated by Pouw Vervoer. Only runs on Saturday nights (between midnight and 5 AM). |
Local government
The municipal council of Hilversum consists of 37 seats, which are divided as followed since the last local election of 2018:[10]
- Hart voor Hilversum - 8 seats
- D66 – 7 seats
- VVD – 6 seats
- GroenLinks – 5 seats
- CDA – 4 seats
- SP – 2 seats
- PvdA – 2 seats
- ChristenUnie – 2 seats
- Leefbaar Hilversum – 1 seat
Government
After the 2018 elections, the municipal government was made up of aldermen from the political parties Hart voor Hilversum, D66 and VVD.
The mayor of Hilversum is Pieter Broertjes, former lead editor of the Volkskrant, a nationwide distributed newspaper.
It was the first city with a "Leefbaar" party (which was intended as just a local party). Today, Leefbaar Hilversum has been reduced to only 1 seat, but some other parties have their origins in Leefbaar Hilversum:
- Hart voor Hilversum. Originated from a Leefbaar Hilversum separation party called DLPH, which won 1 seat in the 2006 elections. Leadership was taken over in 2006 by Leonie Sazias, a TV celebrity. Leonie Sazias later changed the party name to Hart voor Hilversum. She won 3 seats in the 2010 elections and increased her influence to 6 seats in 2014. They won the 2018 elections and have 8 seats now.
- Hilversum 1. Was founded by Hans Roos, originally a council member for Hart voor Hilversum, but due to disagreements with the party on the list of candidates for the elections in 2014, decided to split and start his own party in 2013.[11]
Notable residents
Notable people born in Hilversum:
- Joop den Uyl (1919–1987), prime minister
- Henk Hermsen (1937), water polo player
- Hubert van Es (1941-2009), war journalist
- John Gerretsen (1942), politician
- André Hermsen (1942), water polo player
- Evert Kroon (1946), water polo goalkeeper
- Dick Diamonde (1947), bassist
- Wim Hermsen (1947), water polo player
- Bartha Knoppers (1951), lawyer
- Erland Van Lidth de Jeude (1953–1987), actor, wrestler and opera singer
- Ton van Klooster (1954), freestyle swimmer and swimming coach
- Nico Landeweerd (1954), water polo player
- Andy Hoepelman (1955), water polo player
- John de Mol (1955), media tycoon
- Dick Nieuwenhuizen (1957), water polo player and coach
- Ellen Bontje (1958), equestrian
- Hansje Bunschoten (1958), swimmer and TV presenter
- Arjen Anthony Lucassen (1960), musician and composer
- André Rouvoet (1962), politician
- Reggie de Jong (1964), freestyle swimmer
- Koos Issard (1971), water polo player
- Dave Luza (1974), Improv Comedian, Actor
- Kelly van der Veer (1980), Big Brother contestant, singer, famous transsexual
- Gijsbert Haan (1801–1874), founder of the Christian Reformed Church in America
- Geertje Wielema (1934–2009) swimmer & Olympic athlete
- John van Altena (1947) 107 caps Dutch National Rugby XV
- Henri van Booven (1877–1964) first chairman Dutch Rugby Bond in 1932 and cricket international
- Ton Scherpenzeel (1952), keyboardist and a founding member of the Dutch rock band Kayak.
- Pim Koopman (1953–2009), drummer and percussionist of the Dutch Progressive rock band, Kayak.
- Max Werner (1953), former lead singer, drummer and percussionist of the Dutch Progressive rock band Kayak
- Sick Individuals A Progressive House DJ Team
- Linda de Mol (1964), A Personality from TROS
- Rik Oostenbroek (1989), Digital Artist
See also
References
- ↑ "College van Burgemeester en Wethouders" [Board of mayor and aldermen] (in Dutch). Gemeente Hilversum. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ↑ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten" [Key figures for neighbourhoods]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ↑ "AHN Postcode tool for 1217JE". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ↑ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
- ↑ "Hilversum: Overview - History". Iguide.travel. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- ↑ 1928 Summer Olympics official report. pp. 271–8.
- ↑ "Beeld en Geluid". Experience.beeldengeluid.nl. Archived from the original on 18 November 2009.
- ↑ https://www.noord-holland.nl/Onderwerpen/Verkeer_vervoer/Projecten_verkeer_en_vervoer/HOV_in_t_Gooi
- ↑ https://www.nhnieuws.nl/nieuws/186179/Aanleg-snelle-busbaan-HOV-Gooi-opnieuw-vertraagd
- ↑ Hilversum. "Gemeenteraadsleden en fractiemedewerkers - Hilversum". www.hilversum.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2016-11-04.
- ↑ regio, dichtbij.nl – nieuws en informatie uit de (2013-12-16). "Hans Roos door als Hilversum 1". dichtbij.nl. Retrieved 2016-11-04.
External links
Media related to Hilversum at Wikimedia Commons Hilversum travel guide from Wikivoyage - Official website
Places adjacent to Hilversum | ||||||||||
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