Brouwershaven

Geschiedenis

Brouwershaven is a small city on the Grevelingen in the Dutch province of Zeeland. It is a part of the municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland, and lies about 45 km southwest of Hellevoetsluis.Brouwershaven received city rights in 1477.In 2001, the town of Brouwershaven had 1307 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 0.39 km², and contained 705 residences. The statistical area "Brouwershaven", which also can include the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 1540.HistoryBrouwershaven was founded in 1285AD as new harbor for Brijdorpe although today the harbor was silted up. The town was built as a fortified bastide, and is considered to be the first of this type of settlement in the Netherlands. The name Brouwershaven (Brewers Haven) is anecdotally thought of to have originated from the import of Beer from Delft through the port. and is first mentioned in 1318AD. In 1403 the city got town rights but had no seat in the States of Zeeland.The history of Brouwershaven has always had a connection with the water. The fish and shellfish was an important source of income as was trade in wine and beer, wood, stone, wool and flax, turnips and beets. Another staple industry of the town is salt from evaporated seawater.