Woerden
The history of the area where Woerden currently is goes way back. Below briefly a historical sketch of Woerden respectively, Kamerik, Zegveld and Harmelen (which together form the municipality Woerden).
Woerden; At the time of the Gallo-Roman Empire there was a settlement on the spot where now the ancient city of Woerden is located: the "Castellum Laurii". This was a fort on the border to reinforce the northern border to the Rhine. There is little known over the centuries after the Roman domination. What is known is that the missionary Boniface preached in Woerden around 720. The settlement was called Wyrda.
Woerden received on March 12, 1372 the city rights from Duke Albrecht of Bavaria. The population of Woerden and surroundings over the centuries often had to contend with wars. The recurring disputes between Holland and Utrecht founds were often fought near Woerden. The recurring quarrels ended when Karel de Vijfde became ruler of both Holland and the Sticht Utrecht.
In the second half of the 19th century Woerden made a positive economic development. Partly due to the construction of a railway station in 1855 and a cheese market in 1885. This economic progress made also population grow. Kamerik and Zegveld; In the reclamation area north of Woerden was cultivated by settlers in the 11th century. On the main waterways, the Greft and Kamerik watercourse, two villages developed after 1400: Kamerik and Zegveld. Administratively it was Kamerik country merged out of of four independent municipalities in 1857: Kamerik-Mijzijde, Kamerik-Houtdijken, 's-Grave Sloot and Teckop.
Zegveld and Kamerik were purely agrarian; after the Second World War, the number of people not employed in agriculture or horticulture increased. As of January 1, 1989 the municipalities Woerden Kamerik and Zegveld were under a huge redeployment operation raised in western Utrecht and eastern South Holland merged to form a new municipality Woerden.
Harmelen; Harmelen is located in the western area of the Province of Utrecht between Utrecht and Woerden. The first dates mention from 1202. The oldest settlement took place in Oudeland and Harmelerwaard. In the 11th and 12th centuries many fierce peatlands were exploited on behalf of the bishops of Utrecht. The area of present Harmelen which used to have several "goodies" that fell under the diocese of Utrecht. Agriculture and livestock were once the main economic activities in Harmelen. There was also some trade in wood and fruits. Before 1844 there was industry, by means of of a brewery.
In the 19th century municipalities arose. The territory Harmelen was about Indijk, Gerverscop and Harmelen itself. During the 19th century sites were merged into one municipality Harmelen. The Woerden municipality consists of the cores Woerden, Kamerik and Zegveld. From January 2001 the core of Harmelen also belongs to this community.
The town of Woerden is centrally located in the Green Heart, an area with extensive pastures, timber wharves, peat bogs, farms and winding river streams. Woerden attracts because of its nature but also its weekly (for more than 100 years) cheesemarket many visitors. The municipality has a good amenities package, is very green and has many leisure facilities. It is centrally located and has good connections (certainly by rail). Overall Woerden is a pleasant place to live, work and recreate.