Gulpen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɣʏlpə(n)]; Limburgish: Gullepe [ˈɣʏləpə]) is a village in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is approximately midway between the Dutch city of Maastricht and the German city of Aachen.

Gulpen
Gulpe (in Limburgish)
Village
Centre of Gulpen with river Gulp
Centre of Gulpen with river Gulp
Gulpen is located in Netherlands
Gulpen
Gulpen
Location in the Netherlands
Gulpen is located in Limburg, Netherlands
Gulpen
Gulpen
Location in the province of Limburg in the Netherlands
Coordinates: 50°49′N 5°54′E / 50.817°N 5.900°E / 50.817; 5.900
CountryNetherlands Netherlands
Province Limburg
MunicipalityGulpen-Wittem
Area
 • Total
20.75 km2 (8.01 sq mi)
Elevation94 m (308 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total
4,685
 • Density230/km2 (580/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
6271[1]
Dialing code043

Gulpen was a separate municipality until 1999, when it merged with Wittem.[3] The newly formed municipality is called Gulpen-Wittem.

The village itself derives its name from the river Gulp, which runs straight through the centre of the village and characterises the townscape.

There is a Romanesque tower in the old cemetery, which dates from the 11th Century and is the only still existing part of a mediaeval village church. Considering its construction (its walls are up to 2 metres thick) and its location, it probably also served as defence tower, where the local villagers could go in case of danger. The former rectory, which leans against the tower, dates from 1732. It is now being let as luxurious group accommodation.

The current Neo-Romanesque St.Petrus church dates from 1924 and was designed by Casper Franssen.

A former monastery that was built in 1932 after a design by Alphons Boosten is being used as town hall.

The village is home to the Gulpener Brewery.

Every year in June, a walking tour of 70 kilometres is organised that is called the Nacht van Gulpen (Night of Gulpen). A little over a thousand people participate in this event each year.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Postcodetool for 6271AA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  3. ^ Ad van der Meer and Onno Boonstra, Repertorium van Nederlandse gemeenten, KNAW, 2011.
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