Afferden (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɑfərdə(n)]; Limburgish: Offere [ˈɔfəʀə]) is a village in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is a part of the municipality of Bergen (L.), and lies about 25 km southeast of Nijmegen.

Afferden
Village
The church of Afferden
The church of Afferden
Afferden is located in Netherlands
Afferden
Afferden
Location in the Netherlands
Afferden is located in Limburg, Netherlands
Afferden
Afferden
Location in the province of Limburg in the Netherlands
Coordinates: 51°38′4″N 6°0′46″E / 51.63444°N 6.01278°E / 51.63444; 6.01278
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceLimburg
MunicipalityBergen, Limburg
Area
 • Total
18.03 km2 (6.96 sq mi)
Elevation15 m (49 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total
2,125
 • Density120/km2 (310/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
5851[1]
Dialing code0485

History

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The village was first mentioned in 1293 as Afordia. The etymology is unknown.[3] Afferden is a village along the Maas. It was a heerlijkheid before 1176. The castle was destroyed in the 16th century. In 1648, it became part of Spanish Guelders. In 1713, it became part of Prussia, and in 1815, it became part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.[4]

The Catholic St Cosmas and Damianus Church is a three aisled basilica like church with a tower at some distance. The tower dates from the late-13th century. The church dated from the 15th century, but was severely damaged in 1945 and demolished. The current church was built between 1957 and 1958 and designed by Johannes Kayser. The tower was repaired in the same period.[4]

The ruins of the Bleijenbeek Castle are to the east of Afferden. In 1390, a fortified farm with tower was built. The tower was destroyed in 1579. Around 1688, the castle was modified and extended in a classical style. In 1945, it was reduced to a ruin.[4]

Afferden was home to 460 people in 1840.[5]

Afferden was severely damaged in 1944 and 1945.[4] During Operation Market Garden, the western side of the Maas was liberated by the British, however the Germans built defences on the eastern side.[6] The grist mill Nooit Gedacht was built in 1958. Its predecessor was built in 1852. In January 1945, the inhabitants were evacuated, and when the miller returned in May 1945, the wind mill was reduced to ruins. Nowadays, it only operates on a voluntary basis.[6]

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Postcodetool for 5851AA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Afferden - (geografische naam)". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Sabine Broekhoven, & Ronald Stenvert (2003). Afferden (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders. ISBN 90 400 9623 6. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Afferden (Limburg)". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Nooit Gedacht". Molendatabase (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 April 2022.