Oirsbeek (original) (raw)

Village in Limburg, Netherlands

Oirsbeek
Village
Timber framed farmsTimber framed farms
Oirsbeek is located in NetherlandsOirsbeekOirsbeekLocation in the NetherlandsShow map of NetherlandsOirsbeek is located in Limburg, NetherlandsOirsbeekOirsbeekLocation in the province of Limburg in the NetherlandsShow map of Limburg, Netherlands
Coordinates: 50°56′56″N 5°54′32″E / 50.94889°N 5.90889°E / 50.94889; 5.90889
Country Netherlands
Province Limburg
Municipality Beekdaelen
Area[1]
• Total 2.87 km2 (1.11 sq mi)
Elevation[2] 109 m (358 ft)
Population (2021)[1]
• Total 3,580
• Density 1,200/km2 (3,200/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 6438[1]
Dialing code 046

Oirsbeek is a village in the southeast of the Netherlands, part of the municipality of Beekdaelen. Between 1839 and 1982, Oirsbeek was a separate municipality.

The Sint Lambertuskerk, a Roman Catholic Church, was built in 1951 by Frits Peutz on the remains of two older churches: the original church built in 1514 and a second church built in 1830.

It is unknown where the name Oirsbeek originates from. It is certain that the name has to do with the creek ("beek" is Dutch for creek) that used to flow through the village. "Oir" could come from "Oer" (meaning iron-rich dirt) which is found in the area. The creek was called "vloot" by people from Oirsbeek in the past. Currently it runs through a tube in the ground under the "Grachtstraat". From there it flows in the direction of Wolfhagen, part of the village of Schinnen.

Oirsbeek used to be one of 4 suburbs, "Gracht", "Klein-Doenrade", "Oirsbeek" and "Oppeven".

Until 2004 a famous chapter of the Hells Angels Holland, The Nomads, had its clubhouse in Oirsbeek. On 11 February 2004 the chairman and two members were killed by the other members in the clubhouse. The dead bodies were found two days later in a small river near Echt-Susteren. This tragedy was world news for some time. Many Hells Angels from all over the world came to the funeral of the three members in Sittard. The event was broadcast live on Dutch television.

  1. ^ a b c "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Postcodetool for 6438AA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 23 April 2022.

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