De Meern
Encyclopedia
De Meern is a former town in the Dutch
province of Utrecht
. It is a part of the city of Utrecht
, and lies about 5 km west of it. In 2001, it became together with Vleuten, a city part of Utrecht called Vleuten-De Meern.
The statistical area "De Meern", which also can include the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 10320.
, because it was not only trade-wise but also a good strategic spot to build an encampment (castellum
).
The Rhine was the Northern Border of the Roman Empire, and there were several Castella across the borderline. In De Meern, not only a complete Castellum has been found, but also several ships, roads, pottery and currency have been found. Most of these items (especially the big items) have been put back into the ground for perfect preservation, since the riverclay prevents them from rotting (it hardly lets oxygen through).
After the Roman Empire fell apart, trade in De Meern collapsed, leading to spontaneous migration to other (bigger) cities. During the Middle Ages
, De Meern was just another farming village of no significance.
Nowadays, De Meern is part of the agglomeration of Utrecht
. Currently (2008), Utrecht
is building 30.000 homes which will support about 80 000 civilians.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
province of Utrecht
Utrecht (province)
Utrecht is the smallest province of the Netherlands in terms of area, and is located in the centre of the country. It is bordered by the Eemmeer in the north, Gelderland in the east, the river Rhine in the south, South Holland in the west, and North Holland in the northwest...
. It is a part of the city of Utrecht
Utrecht (city)
Utrecht city and municipality is the capital and most populous city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is located in the eastern corner of the Randstad conurbation, and is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 312,634 on 1 Jan 2011.Utrecht's ancient city centre features...
, and lies about 5 km west of it. In 2001, it became together with Vleuten, a city part of Utrecht called Vleuten-De Meern.
The statistical area "De Meern", which also can include the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 10320.
History
De Meern was founded during the Roman timesRoman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
, because it was not only trade-wise but also a good strategic spot to build an encampment (castellum
Castellum
A castellum is a small Roman detached fort or fortlet used as a watch tower or signal station. The Latin word castellum is a diminutive of castra , which in turn is the plural of castrum ; it is the source of the English word "castle".The term castellum was also used to refer to a settling or...
).
The Rhine was the Northern Border of the Roman Empire, and there were several Castella across the borderline. In De Meern, not only a complete Castellum has been found, but also several ships, roads, pottery and currency have been found. Most of these items (especially the big items) have been put back into the ground for perfect preservation, since the riverclay prevents them from rotting (it hardly lets oxygen through).
After the Roman Empire fell apart, trade in De Meern collapsed, leading to spontaneous migration to other (bigger) cities. During the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, De Meern was just another farming village of no significance.
Nowadays, De Meern is part of the agglomeration of Utrecht
Utrecht (agglomeration)
The city of Utrecht and the surrounding cities, villages, and townships form an agglomeration in the middle of The Netherlands. It is located entirely in the province of Utrecht, and is the eastern part of so-called North Wing the larger Randstad urban area....
. Currently (2008), Utrecht
Utrecht (city)
Utrecht city and municipality is the capital and most populous city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is located in the eastern corner of the Randstad conurbation, and is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 312,634 on 1 Jan 2011.Utrecht's ancient city centre features...
is building 30.000 homes which will support about 80 000 civilians.