Elst
Flag of Elst
Flag
Coat of arms of Elst
Coat of arms
Coordinates: 51°54′56″N 5°50′16″E / 51.91556°N 5.83778°E / 51.91556; 5.83778
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceGelderland
MunicipalityOverbetuwe
Population
 (2022)
22,509[1]

Elst is a town in the municipality of Overbetuwe in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is situated in the Betuwe, between the cities of Arnhem and Nijmegen. In January 2022 the town had 22,509 inhabitants.[1]

Elst is known for its Roman temples, which are situated under St Martin's (or the St Werenfried) church. Elst was a separate municipality until 2001, when it became a part of Overbetuwe.[2]

H. J. Heinz Company's sauce factory for the European market is located south of the town centre.

Elstar is an apple cultivar that was developed in Elst in the 1950s.

Saint-Martin Church in Elst

History

A number of archeological finds have been made in Elst. In 1947, while repairing war damage, the remains of two Roman temples were discovered under St Martin's Church, including one of the largest found north of the Alps. Further Roman buildings have since been found in the town,[3] as have prehistoric items.[4]

The missionary Saint Werenfried of Elst, was buried in Elst in circa 780. In the middle ages his tomb attracted pilgrims, as his intercession was believed to cure disorders, especially those related to arthritis.[5]

In September 1944, Elst was the scene of fighting between Allied and German troops during Operation Market Garden. During this, the tower of St Martin's Church was used as an observation post, and was largely destroyed by shelling.[6] The church was rebuilt after the war.

The municipality of Elst has existed since 1812. In January 2001 it became a part of the new municipality of Overbetuwe, when it merged with of Heteren and Valburg.[7] Since then, Elst has expanded with the building of new housing and industrial estates

Education

Elst is home to three high schools: Het Westeraam, Lyceum and Over Betuwe College Elst (OBC Elst).

Sports

There are several sports clubs in Elst, including:

The Linge near Elst

The river Linge flows just north of Elst.

People born in Elst

Transportation

References

  1. 1 2 "Number of inhabitants per village 2001–22". www.overbetuwe.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  2. ↑ Ad van der Meer and Onno Boonstra, Repertorium van Nederlandse gemeenten, KNAW, 2011.
  3. ↑ Derks, T. (10 March 2016). "The temples of Elst found". omroepgelderland.nl (in Dutch). Archeological Institute Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  4. ↑ "Prehistoric tree canoe found". omroepgelderland.nl (in Dutch). Omroep Gelderland. 2 March 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-03-04. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  5. ↑ Koutrafouri, Vasiliki G.; Sanders, Jeff (2013). Ritual Failure: Archaeological Perspectives. Sidestone Press. p. 132. ISBN 978-90-8890-220-8.
  6. ↑ Saunders, Tim (2002). Operation Market Garden. The Island. Leo Cooper. pp. 115 et al. ISBN 0850528615.
  7. ↑ "Municipal divisions on 1 January 2001". cbs.nl (in Dutch). CBS. 11 March 2006. Retrieved 28 September 2023.

51°54′56″N 5°50′16″E / 51.91556°N 5.83778°E / 51.91556; 5.83778

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