Giessen, Netherlands facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Giessen
Village
Entrance of Giessen
Flag Coat of arms
Giessen Location in North Brabant Show map of North Brabant Giessen Location in Netherlands Show map of Netherlands
Country	Netherlands
Province	North Brabant
Municipality	Altena
Area
• Total	5.46 km2 (2.11 sq mi)
Elevation	1.7 m (5.6 ft)
Population  (2021)
• Total	1,645
• Density	301.3/km2 (780.3/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	4283
Dialing code	0183

Giessen is a village in the Dutch province of North Brabant. It is located in the municipality of Altena, about 7 km southeast of Gorinchem.

History

The village was first mentioned in 1178 as Giscen. It is named after a river, however the etymology is unclear. Giessen developed in the Middle Ages along the Afgedamde Maas.

The Dutch Reformed church was dates was built on a terp (artificial living hill) in the 14th century. In 1755, the tower collapsed due to frequent flooding. The church was enlarged in 1856.

Giessen was home to 360 people in 1840. Giessen was a separate municipality until 1973, when it became a part of the former municipality of Woudrichem. Giessen nowadays forms a single urban area with Rijswijk.

Sights

Giessen is part of the New Dutch Water Line. Fort Giessen has been preserved, and was constructed between 1878 and 1881.

In 2013 Giessen Castle was rediscovered in the village. There are no visible traces of this castle, except for a small monument that marks its location.

Notable inhabitants

• Carola Schouten (born 1977), politician

Gallery

• 

  Dutch Reformed church

• 

  Farm in Giessen

• 

  Fort Giessen

• 

  Painting of Giessen by Eugen Jettel (1886)