Heelsum is a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is located in the municipality of Renkum, west of Arnhem.[4]

Heelsum
Village
War memorial
War memorial
Heelsum is located in Gelderland
Heelsum
Heelsum
Location in the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands
Heelsum is located in Netherlands
Heelsum
Heelsum
Heelsum (Netherlands)
Coordinates: 51°58′56″N 5°45′9″E / 51.98222°N 5.75250°E / 51.98222; 5.75250
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceGelderland
MunicipalityRenkum
Government
 • BodyRenkum Municipal council
 • MayorMrs. A.M.J. (Agnes) Schaap[1]
Area
 • Total3.55 km2 (1.37 sq mi)
Elevation25 m (82 ft)
Population
 (2021)[2]
 • Total3,540
 • Density1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
6866[2]
Dialing code0317

Part of the Battle of Arnhem was fought in and around Heelsum. The initial British landings were carried out just north of the village.

History edit

The village was first mentioned around 1160 as in Helessem, and means "settlement of Hele (person)".[5] Helsum is an esdorp which developed in the Middle Ages near the brook Heelsumse beek. It became a separate parish in 1517.[6]

The Dutch Reformed church was built in 1517 by the lady of the castle Margaretha van Homoet. It was expanded in 1859.[6] The Catholic community wanted an own church as well. On 1 April 1950 they announced plans to build a church, however, the municipality preferred villas at the location. The church was finally constructed in 1961, however it was decommissioned in 2018.[7]

Heelsum was home to 120 people in 1840.[7] Hotel Klein Zwitserland (Little Switzerland) was built in 1905 in Swiss chalet style in the middle of Wilhelmina park.[6]

On 17 September 1944, the 1st Airborne Division was dropped in Heelsum near Oosterbeek. The landing was unopposed, however, they ran into an armoured tank division of the Germans on the way to Arnhem. On 9 September 1945, the Airborne monument was revealed in Heelsum.[8]

Heelsum and Renkum have formed a single urban area, however, both are considered separate villages.[7]

Gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ Mayor Schaap
  2. ^ a b c "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 14 April 2022. two entries
  3. ^ "Postcodetool for 6866AA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  4. ^ ANWB Topografische Atlas Nederland, Topografische Dienst and ANWB, 2005.
  5. ^ "Heelsum - (geografische naam)". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Ronald Stenvert & Sabine Broekhoven (2000). "Heelsum" (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders. ISBN 90 400 9406 3. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  7. ^ a b c "Heelsum". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Heelsum, 'Airborne-monument'". 4 en 5 Mei (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 April 2022.