Domburg

Domburg is a seaside resort on the North Sea, on the northwest coast of Walcheren in the Dutch province of Zeeland. It is a part of the municipality of Veere, and lies about 11 km northwest of the city of Middelburg, the provincial capital.

Demographics

In 2010, the town of Domburg had 1,490 inhabitants, up from 1,251 in 2001. The built-up area of the town was 0.78 km², and contained 881 residences.

History

The area of Domburg has been inhabited since ancient times. In 1647 after heavy storms on the beach of Domburg a sanctuary was discovered with around 40 stones with Latin inscriptions and carvings of several gods, among them of Neptune (sea) and Mercury (trade), but the majority of a local female deity: Nehalennia who appears to have protected both trade and shipping. According to the inscriptions the stones were erected by tradesmen and captains to fulfil their vows after a safe journey, mentioning explicitly on one stone a merchant of pottery doing business with Britain.

From a later period (starting 650 AC) many coins have been found on the beach including Anglo-Saxon sceattas. The settlement on the exact present day location of Domburg however originates from a circular earthen citadel that was discovererd according to expectations by archaeologists in 1991 and which was dated to around 875 AC a period shortly after recorded raids by Danes.

Domburg (civic structure)

A Domburg (German: Cathedral Castle) was the cathedral close or area in many old European diocesan seats around the cathedral surrounded by a large fortified wall and only accessible through gatehouse. Within the Domburg was the cathedral, additional churches and chapels (often), the bishop's palace, the houses of the members of the cathedral chapter, workshops and kitchen gardens.

The fortification served to protect the bishop, Cathedral chapter and their servants, but also served as a safehaven for the neighbouring labourers and merchants. The outer fortifications (city wall) which protected the whole city, were usually built after the Domburg and often remained weaker. The fortified cathedral area was imbued with special privileges (rights and freedoms) and was therefore often known as the Domfreiheit. It was the central hub of the city.

The lines of the old Domburg are still clearly visible in Münster, Paderborn, Hildesheim (Domhof) and Naumburg (Domplatz, accessed from the back of the cathedral). In addition, chronicles and archaeology provide evidence for the Domburg in Bremen and the Hammaburg in Hamburg.