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Borger, Netherlands

Coordinates: 52°55′N 6°48′E / 52.917°N 6.800°E / 52.917; 6.800
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Borger
Willibrordskerk in 2009
Willibrordskerk in 2009
Borger is located in Drenthe
Borger
Borger
Location in the province of Drenthe in the Netherlands
Coordinates: 52°55′N 6°48′E / 52.917°N 6.800°E / 52.917; 6.800
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceDrenthe
MunicipalityBorger-Odoorn
Area
 • Total15.77 km2 (6.09 sq mi)
Elevation16 m (52 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total4,885
 • Density310/km2 (800/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
9530–9531[1]
Dialing code0599

Borger (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbɔrɣər]) is a village in the Dutch province of Drenthe. It is a part of the municipality of Borger-Odoorn, and lies about 18 km east of Assen.

The hunebed dolmen D27 [nl] is the biggest hunebed of the Netherlands and has its own museum.

History

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The village was first mentioned in 1327 as "Johannes in Borghere". The etymology is unclear.[3] Borger is an esdorp which developed in the Early Middle Ages on the Hondsrug along the road from Groningen to Coevorden. In the early 13th century a daughter church was established from Anloo. Borger became the main settlement, and three satellites were established around the village: Buinen, Drouwen and Westdorp.[4]

The tower of the Dutch Reformed church dates from the 14th century and has been restored in 1840. The medieval church was replaced in 1826.[4] There is an original sheep pen from the 18th century in Borger.[4]

Borger was home to 519 people in 1840.[5] In 1958, the open air theatre opened in Borger and can seat 600 people.[6]

Borger used to be an independent municipality. In 1998, it was merged into Borger-Odoorn.[5]

Dolmen

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The hunebed dolmen D27 [nl] is the biggest hunebed of the Netherlands. It measures 22.5 metres (74 ft) and has 9 capstones, 26 side stones and 2 keystones. The hunebed contains a complete gate. In 1865, amateur excavation was performed by Titia Brongersma who discovered pottery and many bones, however none of the artefacts remain.[7]

In 1984, a local youth found some pottery and bones. The artefacts were analysed and surprisingly dated from the Bronze Age which was much later than expected. There were calls for a scientific investigation of the site, however the archaeologists in charge of the area have blocked an investigation. In 2005, a museum opened near the site.[7]

There are two more smaller dolmen (D28 and D29) around Borger.[5] Copper objects have been discovered near D28 which are the oldest discoveries of copper in the Netherlands and must have been made in Romania.[8]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Postcodetool for 9531AA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Borger - (geografische naam)". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Ronald Stenvert (2001). Borger (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders. p. 61. ISBN 90 400 9454 3. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Borger". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Openluchttheater De Speulkoel, Borger". Theater Encylopedie (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  7. ^ a b "D27". Hunebedden (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Het eerste metaal in Nederland?". Historiek (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 April 2022.
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  • Media related to Borger at Wikimedia Commons