King's Day in Doetinchem - FreestampMagazine

His Majesty the King will attend the celebration of King's Day in Doetinchem in the province of Gelderland on Saturday, April 26, 2025, together with members of the Royal Family. The Municipality of Doetinchem has officially invited the King and his family to come and celebrate King's Day in Doetinchem on April 26, 2025. The municipal council is honoured, extremely proud, and happy that the King has accepted our invitation. Do you know Doetinchem and the Achterhoek?

Doetinchem

The King has not previously celebrated King's Day in the province of Gelderland. Doetinchem is the heart of one of the most beautiful regions of Gelderland: the Achterhoek. Over 20% of all Gelderlanders live in our region. We see this as a wonderful opportunity to introduce the King, his family, and the rest of the Netherlands to the people and life in Doetinchem and the Achterhoek. We demonstrate that we are a city and a region of extremes. Here you have it all: traditions as well as modern developments; peace and space as well as atmosphere and conviviality; old crafts as well as innovative companies that are global market leaders. The Province of Gelderland has wholeheartedly supported the invitation extended to the King by the municipality of Doetinchem. It is customary for the King to celebrate King's Day in a city with a regional function. Doetinchem fulfills this regional function within the Achterhoek, and that is one of the reasons why King's Day will be celebrated in Doetinchem in 2025. The program reflects the people and life in Doetinchem as well as the Achterhoek (8 municipalities).

The coat of arms was officially granted on December 15, 1920. Both symbols originate from the arms of the Counts of Gelre. The oldest city seal, dating from the 13th century, depicts St. Catherine, crowned, standing, holding a palm branch in her right hand and leaning on a triangular shield charged with three medlars; finally, to her left, the word Katharina. A second seal, from the 14th century, also depicts St. Catherine, now with a sword and a wheel, and with three medlars standing separately in the field, no longer on a shield. The first seal bearing the current coat of arms dates from the first half of the 15th century. It again shows the representation of St. Catherine, now with a small shield before her, bearing a lion accompanied by three medlars. After the Reformation, only the coat of arms with the lion and the medlars was used. The medlars were the coat of arms of the Counts of Gelre until approximately 1300 (see Gelderland). After the appointment as a count, the coat of arms was changed to a lion. Initially, the city bore only medlars as a sign of subservience to Gelre. The city likely continued to view the medlars as its own symbol, and when the counts adopted a coat of arms featuring a lion, the city added the medlars. Over the course of time, the coat of arms has regularly been depicted with a reversed lion and/or a single-tailed lion.

The history of Doetinchem

Doetinchem is a city on the Oude IJssel, located in the Achterhoek in the Dutch province of Gelderland. The oldest mention of Doetinchem dates back to 838 as villa Duetinghem, a small settlement or manorial court with a church. In the period after 838, a modest market town, Deutinkem, emerged with a church that was given as a gift to the then Bishop of Utrecht. Other name variants used over time were Duttichem, Duichingen, Dotekom, and Deutekom. The name is typical of the Carolingian period and is derived from the personal name Doete + the suffix 'inga' (people of) and 'heem' (dwelling place): the dwelling place of the people of Doete. Around 1200, Doetinchem began to grow, and a rampart with a moat was constructed. In 1230, the town was granted market rights and in 1236 Doetinchem received city rights from Count Otto II of Gelre and Zutphen. The granting of city rights was part of the count's policy to economically stimulate walled market towns on the borders of the count's territory.

Doetinchem, the center of the Achterhoek

Doetinchem has traditionally served as a regional center. In the past as an important market and trading center, nowadays due to its comprehensive range of shops, culture, events, and hospitality. The welcoming city center is easily accessible and enjoys an attractive location amidst greenery and water. There is always something to do in the lively center, from a gnome (walking) route through the city center to a canoe trip on the Oude IJssel. Or pay a visit to the City Museum. Beautiful cycling and walking routes allow you to explore Doetinchem's green surroundings. A gem in the Doetinchem landscape is the 17th-century Slangenburg Castle. Here, the interior, furniture, and wall paintings have been preserved. There is plenty to enjoy in Doetinchem. Also, be sure to visit VVV Doetinchem.

Historical buildings

Several historic buildings stand in Doetinchem. From the Middle Ages, only Slangenburg Castle, St. Catherine's Church, and the small castle De Kelder remain; other buildings were destroyed by the great city fire of 1527. Two buildings from the 16th century still survive: the house on Hamburgerstraat and a building on Waterstraat, but all buildings from the 17th century have been destroyed. A few buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries have been preserved, such as the Doetinchem City Museum, Villa Ruimzicht, and Villa Bouchina. In the city center, virtually no buildings from before the Second World War remain. The entire center was wiped out by three Allied air bombardments (on March 19, 21, and 23, 1945), with the exception of two facades. St. Catherine's Church was rebuilt after the war. The Benninkmolen, a working tower mill from 1921, is located on the Varsseveldseweg, and the Walmolen, a tower mill from 1851, stands on the IJsselkade.

Discover the Achterhoek

The Achterhoek is the easternmost part of the province of Gelderland. The region is bordered on the west by the river IJssel. To the north, the region borders Twente and Salland. To the east and south, the national border with Germany forms the edge of the area. As soon as you cross the river IJssel and follow one of those Achterhoek country lanes, you notice it immediately. The road is not straight. It winds. Past large trees, through forests, and around farms. Every few meters, you get a different view. Sometimes it is a forest edge, then again it is fields. It is no longer typically Dutch. No, as you drive, you see the farms disappear behind hedgerows and clumps of trees, and undulations stretch to the horizon. And suddenly, you have a panoramic view again. It looks just like a stage with various wings. That is why the landscape of the Achterhoek is often called a "wing landscape." It is still there. It was built up and shaped by the farming population over many hundreds of years. It was the farmers, and especially the farmhands, who shaped the land. Thousands of cartloads of manure from the cattle sheds were mixed with the once barren sandy soils. This is how the fertile fields, the 'essen' and the 'enken' came into being, which in turn gave their names to the farms and their inhabitants. Hogenkamp, Kemper, and Kamphuis are well-known Achterhoek family names. And how many farms are named Enkzicht, Koerkamp, or Eshuis? The 'essen' are (still visible) elevations in the landscape. Add to that the remnants of the moraines from the last ice ages, and you have the landscape history of this varied area before your eyes.

The Achterhoek boasts not only a geologically rich history, but its historic towns and estates also shape the landscape into what it is today. From fortified towns and Hanseatic cities to majestic castles, the Achterhoek breathes history. Wander through old streets, discover imposing castles, and experience the atmosphere of bygone eras. Towns like Groenlo and Bredevoort played a crucial role in the Eighty Years' War, and their fortifications are still visible. Stroll along historic city walls and discover cannons, moats, and old defensive structures. Zutphen and Doesburg flourished as Hanseatic cities thanks to their trade and beautiful merchant houses. The narrow alleys, striking towers, and atmospheric squares transport you back to the Middle Ages. The Achterhoek is home to impressive castles such as Huis Bergh and Ruurlo Castle. These historic structures, often surrounded by sprawling estates, tell the story of nobility and merchantship throughout the centuries. Vorden Castle and Hackfort Estate are also popular destinations for those wishing to experience history. The beautiful gardens and old interiors make a visit unforgettable.