Lutjegast | |
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![]() The
Reformed Church in Lutjegast | |
Coordinates: 53°14′0″N 6°15′28″E / 53.23333°N 6.25778°E | |
Country | ![]() |
Province | ![]() |
Municipality |
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Area | |
• Total | 19.89 km2 (7.68 sq mi) |
Elevation | 2.3 m (7.5 ft) |
Population (2021)
[1] | |
• Total | 1,120 |
• Density | 56/km2 (150/sq mi) |
Postal code | 9866
[1] |
Dialing code | 0594 |
Lutjegast (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈlʏcəˌɣɑst]) is a village in the municipality of Westerkwartier in Groningen, Netherlands. It had a population of around 1,125 in January 2017. [3]
The name Lutjegast originates from Gronings in which lutje means small or little and a ga(a)st is a higher, sandy ridge in an otherwise swampy area. The village was first mentioned in 1459 as "op de Lutkegast". [4] Lutjegast is a road village which developed on a sandy ridge. [5]
The Dutch Reformed church was built in 1877 and was restored in 1922. The Reformed Church is a cruciform church built in 1922 without a tower in expressionist style. [5]
Lutjegast was the birthplace of the explorer Abel Tasman. He is memorialised in town by a monument, plaque and street name. In 2014, a museum dedicated to Abel Tasman opened in the village house. [6]
Until 1828, a manor house named "Rikkerdaborg" stood in Lutjegast. Its most famous occupant was Bernard Johan Prott who was the commander of Bourtange in 1672. Christoph Bernhard von Galen, the Prince-bishop of Münster had allegedly offered Prott ƒ200,000.- to take Bourtange, however Prott refused the offer and von Galen was unable to take the fortress by force. [7]
Lutjegast was home to 294 people in 1840. [6] The village used to be part of the municipality of Grootegast. In 2019, it was merged into Westerkwartier. [6]
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