Vrouwenpolder

Vrouwenpolder is a village in the municipality of Veere in the Dutch province of Zeeland. On 1 January 2005 it had 1109 inhabitants.

Vrouwenpolder is located in the extreme north of Walcheren peninsula, from where the hedonist Gatdam connects the peninsula with North Beveland.

History

The area around Vrouwenpolder did I. Wolfert van Borsele 1300 bedeichen to fulfill the promise of his father, Count Willem II of Holland, to the Abbot of Middelburg, to build a chapel there. See main article: Protestantse Kerk ( Vrouwenpolder )

Then built in 1314 Wolfert II there this chapel, which was 10 years later raised by the Abbot of Middelburg parish church, with the Blessed Virgin Mary as patroness. This led to the passage of time the name Vrouwepolder, later Vrouwenpolder ( Vrouwe van de Polder - Woman of the polders ).

Around 1340 the church was extended. At this time, it tells the legend, the church came into possession of a mysterious Marie painting.

After 1416 Vrouwenpolder became a place of pilgrimage. People of all ranks and classes came from all directions to her mysterious paintings to visit the parish church. Even for Spanish, Portuguese and French sailors, the painting was to ask an important sanctuary for calm seas and to return home safely.

When a storm surge in 1494, the church was severely damaged and the painting was lost. The church was renovated in 1500, the painting was replaced by a new one, what the worship but not impaired.

In 1572 the church was destroyed by " people of war " from Veere during the siege of Middelburg by the Spaniards ( 1572-1574 ) and thus also ended abruptly pilgrimages to Vrouwenpolder. Its present form was the church in the reconstruction from 1622 to 1624. From this period also dates from the pulpit.

In the northeast ( Breezand ), the fort was built in 1588 to secure the Haak to the input of Veere Gat. On July 30, 1809 Englishman landed at Breezand and destroyed the fort, its former ramparts are clearly visible today.

Today Vrouwenpolder is a seaside resort and popular with surfers.