Sellingen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈsɛlɪŋən]; Gronings: Zèlng [ˈzɛːɫŋ̍]) is a village in the Dutch province of Groningen. It is a part of the municipality of Westerwolde, and lies about 25 kilometres (16 mi) northeast of Emmen. In 2021, statistical area "Sellingen", which also includes the surrounding countryside, had a population of 1,880, and the village of Sellingen had 1,045.[1]

Sellingen
Late roman church in Sellingen
Late roman church in Sellingen
Sellingen is located in Groningen (province)
Sellingen
Sellingen
Location in province of Groningen in the Netherlands
Sellingen is located in Netherlands
Sellingen
Sellingen
Sellingen (Netherlands)
Coordinates: 52°56′47″N 07°09′05″E / 52.94639°N 7.15139°E / 52.94639; 7.15139
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceGroningen
MunicipalityWesterwolde
Area
 • Village29.75 km2 (11.49 sq mi)
 • Land29.28 km2 (11.31 sq mi)
 • Water0.48 km2 (0.19 sq mi)
 • Urban
0.79 km2 (0.31 sq mi)
Elevation9 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Village1,880
 • Density63/km2 (160/sq mi)
 • Urban
1,045
 • Urban density1,300/km2 (3,400/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
9551
Dialing code0599

Overview

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Sellingen was founded in the 12th century on a sandy ridge along the River Ruiten Aa [nl]. The church dates from the 1300s,[3] however a church in Sellingen was already mentioned around 1150 on a list of possession of the Diocese of Osnabrück.[4]: 30  In the 15th century, the Ter Apel Monastery was part of the parish of Sellingen.[5]

In 1665, the bishop of Münster secretly constructed a road through the moor from Walchum in Lower Saxony to Sellingen as part of a planned invasion of Groningen. At neighbouring Jipsinghuizen, the Münster Army was attacked by the Dutch Republic, and had to retreat after the Battle of Jipsinghuizen. The road was removed afterwards.[4]: 33 

Around 1750, the first school was built in Sellingen.[6] In October 1964, a road was opened between Sellingen and Walchum. Despite protests by both municipalities, the border remained fenced off, because Germany did not want to establish a border post.[7]

Sellingen used to be part of the municipality of Bourtange. In 1821, it became part of Vlagtwedde.[4]: 9  Many people desired a more central location of the municipal council. In 1889, the council voted to move the seat to Sellingen.[4]: 11  In 2017, Vlagtwedde merged into Westerwolde, however Sellingen is still one of the two seats.[6]

Nature

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There was still a raised bog to the west of Sellingen. In the 1930s, the heath was cultivated, however 600 hectares (1,500 acres) of forest remained, and is known as the Sellingerbossen.[8] It is somewhat random landscape with forests, meadows and swamps, and is known for its variety of damselflies.[9]

The Hasseberg [nl] is located near the German border, and is the highest point in Groningen at 14.6 metres (48 ft).[10]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau Statistics. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Postcodetool for 9551AA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  3. ^ Redmer Alma (1998). Sellingen (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders Uitgevers. p. 192. ISBN 90-400-9258-3. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d J. Engelkes (1936). Gids voor Vlagtwedde. Sellingen.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ^ "De Kerk te Sellingen" (in Dutch). 25 June 1927. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Sellingen". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Geen autoverkeer over nieuwe verbinding Nederland-Duitsland". Gereformeerd gezinsblad (in Dutch). 10 October 1964. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  8. ^ "Bossen in Westerwolde" (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  9. ^ "Sellingerbossen". Vlinderstichting (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  10. ^ "Hasseberg". Canon van Nederland (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Geert Meijer". Newcastle Fans. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  12. ^ Eefje Buenen (2014). Anke de Vries (in Dutch). pp. 1–7. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
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