Roerdalen (Limburgish: Roerdale) is a municipality in Dutch Limburg. The municipality has 20,552 inhabitants (August 1, 2020, source: CBS) and has an area of 93.84 km² (of which 0.47 km² is water).
The municipality was created on January 1, 2007 as a result of municipal reorganization as a merger of the former municipality of Roerdalen with the municipality of Ambt Montfort. The former municipalities of Roerdalen and Ambt Montfort existed from 1991 to 2007. The former municipality of Roerdalen was formed by the former municipality of Melick and Herkenbosch together with Vlodrop. Originally the name 'Melick en Herkenbosch' was retained, but in 1993 the name Roerdalen was chosen. The name can be related to the river Roer and Castle Daelenbroeck.
In earlier centuries there has been hardly any historical connection between Melick and Vlodrop. The reason is that Vlodrop belonged to the Overkwartier of Gelre and was therefore Dutch. Melick belonged to Jülich, and was thus 'German'. Melick and Herkenbosch have kept this Gulik character until the 18th century, after which the area was Prussian for some time.
In the municipality
of Roerdalen there are 6 churches (equal to the number of church
villages), some of which are national monuments. The 6 Churches in
the municipality of Roerdalen are:
Saint Sebastian's Church in
Herkenbosch
St. Andrew's Church in Melick
Saint Catherine's
Church in Montfort
Basilica of the H.H. Wiro, Plechelmus and
Otgerus in Sint Odiliënberg
St. Matthias Church in Posterholt
Saint Martin's Church in Vlodrop
Other religious buildings
and relics in the municipality of Roerdalen are:
Cemetery chapel
on the cemetery in Melick, formerly the site of the old St. Andrew's
church
Burial chapel Geradts-Regout at the cemetery in Posterholt
Chapel of Our Lady in Sint Odiliënberg
Hail Cross in Sint
Odiliënberg
Former College St. Ludwig / Kolleg St. Ludwig in
Vlodrop Station
Saint Ludwig Chapel in Vlodrop Station
See
also the list of field chapels in Roerdalen.
In Sint Odiliënberg is the Romanesque Basilica of the
H.H. Wiro, Plechelmus and Otgerus from the 11th century.
The
former College St. Ludwig / Kolleg St. Ludwig in Vlodrop Station
dates from 1909.
As in many Limburg municipalities, one or
more castles and / or ruins can be found in the municipality of
Roerdalen. The most important are: Daelenbroeck Castle in
Herkenbosch was once a very impressive castle. Now the vaults and
outbuildings have been restored. These have been given a catering
destination.
In Montfort, the ruin of Castle Montfort is very
hidden behind a farm.
The National Park De Meinweg, one of the most important nature reserves in the Netherlands, is located in the municipality of Roerdalen.
The municipality of Roerdalen consists of six church villages and eight hamlets and hamlets.
In 2013, Monique de Boer-Beerta (VVD) was appointed as mayor.
2010: The Municipal Executive consisted of mayor Ellen Hanselaar-van
Loevezijn (CDA) and aldermen Chrit Wolfhagen (CDA), Herman Nijskens
(VVD), Jan Teuwen (Lijst Nissen).
2007: The Municipal Executive
consisted of mayor Ellen Hanselaar-van Loevezijn (CDA) and aldermen Jan
Geraedts (Roerstreek Local!), Herman Nijskens (VVD), Jo Reijnders
(Jongerenlijst) and Henk van der Linden (Roerstreek Local).