Goirle

Goirle ( listen? / I, with strain i) is a municipality in the Netherlands, North Brabant province. Their total area is 42.21 km ². Goirle has 22,902 inhabitants ( 1 January 2013).

Places; name

The parish includes the village of Goirle where the municipality is located, and the neighboring villages Riel and Nieuwkerk. Riel was until 1997 an independent municipality.

The name is derived from Goirle " goor " ( = swampy, humid country). The river Leij flows through the community.

Location, history, economy

Goirle lies immediately south of Tilburg and has evolved in recent decades become a suburb of the city. The southern section of the city highway at Tilburg has an exit to Goirle.

Goirle was until 1850 a farming village; but then settled here in textile factories, the wool processed. When these were received due to the fierce competition from the Far East, they made many smaller businesses place. As Tilburg started to develop into medium-sized city also grew Goirle by the settlement of commuters. An incorporation by Tilburg was repeatedly prevented by successful protests of the citizens of Goirle.

Attractions

• The forest of Nieuwkerk (125 acres ), which was planted from 1930 to 1936 as a job creation project.
• The nature reserve De Excited heath (250 acres ), where some grave mounds from the Bronze Age are.
• The village churches of Goirle Riel and both have a remarkable medieval church tower.
• Memorial to a Wehrmacht soldier who lost his life in the rescue of two Dutch children, Allied fighter pilots,

Twinning

• Krasnogorsk in Russia

Famous sons and daughters of the town

• Floor Jansen, singer
• Paul van den Hout, sculptor, painter and installation artist
• Joris Mathijsen, football player
• Marcel Meeuwis, football player
• Ireen Wüst, 2006 Olympic gold medalist in speed skating 3,000 meters