Koudekerke (Zeelandic: Koukerke) is a village in the region of Walcheren in the Dutch province of Zeeland. It is a part of the municipality of Veere. As of 2018[update], the census reported the village has a population of 3,419, making it the largest settlement in Veere.[3] The built-up area of the village was 0.55 km², and contained 1,133 residences.[4]
History
The village was first mentioned between 1181 and 1210 as Coldekirca, and means "abandoned church".[5] Koudekerke is a circular church village which developed in the Middle Ages on a ridge.[6]
The Dutch Reformed church is an aisleless church with ridge turret which was built in the mid-17th century as a replacement of the medieval church. Huis der Boede is manor house built in 1733 Louis XIV style on the location of a 13th-century estate. In 1950, it became a retirement home. The carriage house was demolished in 1970.[6]
Koudekerke was home to 1.211 people in 1840.[7] On 1 November 1941, part of the Koudekerke was annexed by Middelburg.[8] In 1944, the land was inundated and the population was evacuated.[7]
After World War II, it became a commuter village. The nearby hamlet of Dishoek became the tourist centre due to its beaches, and contains holiday homes, campsites and hotels.[8] Koudekerke was an independent municipality until 1966, when it was merged into Valkenisse. In 1997, it was merged into Veere.[7]
^Statistics Netherlands (CBS), Bevolkingskernen in Nederland 2001[1]Archived 2007-01-24 at the Wayback Machine. (Statistics are for the continuous built-up area).
