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Deventer

Deventer
City and Municipality
Deventer skyline in 2011; the Saint Lebuinus Church is shown in the centre
Deventer skyline in 2011; the Saint Lebuinus Church is shown in the centre
Flag of Deventer
Flag
Coat of arms of Deventer
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Deventer in a municipal map of Overijssel
Location in Overijssel
Coordinates: 52°15′N 6°9′E / 52.250°N 6.150°E / 52.250; 6.150Coordinates: 52°15′N 6°9′E / 52.250°N 6.150°E / 52.250; 6.150
Country Netherlands
Province Overijssel
Government
 • Body Municipal council
 • Mayor Andries Heidema (CU)
Area
 • Total 134.33 km2 (51.87 sq mi)
 • Land 131.23 km2 (50.67 sq mi)
 • Water 3.10 km2 (1.20 sq mi)
Elevation 9 m (30 ft)
Population (May 2014)
 • Total 98,510
 • Density 751/km2 (1,950/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Deventenaar
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postcode 7400–7438
Area code 0570
Website www.deventer.nl

Deventer (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈdeːvəntər]) is a municipality and city in the Salland region of the Dutch province of Overijssel. Deventer is largely situated on the east bank of the river IJssel, but also has a small part of its territory on the west bank. In 2005 the municipality of Bathmen (pop. 5,000) was merged with Deventer as part of a national effort to reduce bureaucracy in the country.

Deventer was probably founded around 768 by the English missionary Lebuinus, who built a wooden church on the east bank of the river IJssel. In January 772 the sack and burning of this church by a Saxon expedition was the cause for the first punitive war waged by Charlemagne to the Saxons, in which, in retribution, theIrminsul (sacred tree) was destroyed. This was not the first human settlement at the location; between 1981 and 2006, remains of a Bronze Age settlement (dated to c.400 CE) were excavated at Colmschate, 4 km east of the current city

The village of Deventer, already important because of a trading road crossing the river IJssel, was looted and burnt down by the Vikings in 882. It was immediately rebuilt and fortified with an earthen wall (in the street Stenen Wal remains of this wall have been excavated and restored).

Deventer received city rights in 956, after which fortifications were built or replaced by stone walls around the city for defense. Between 1000 and 1500, Deventer grew to be a flourishing trade city because of its harbour on the river IJssel, which was capable of accommodating large ships. The city eventually joined the Hanseatic League.


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Wikipedia

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