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Zuilen (The Netherlands)

Maarssen/Utrecht municipalities, Utrecht province

Last modified: 2018-12-15 by rob raeside
Keywords: zuilen | columns |
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[Zuilen flag] by Jarig Bakker, 24 Apr 2005
Adopted Spring 2001, design: H. van Heijningen

See also:

Zuilen village and former municipality

Zuilen is a former municipality in Utrecht province, now a ward of Utrecht city, and a village in Maarssen municipality.
Village flag: red with three white columns placed 2,1 over the whole flag; each column of 7/20 flagheight.
Adopted Spring 2001, design: H. van Heijningen
Zuilen means: columns - the flag is a banner of arms.
In 2000/2001 Zuilen celebrated its 1250th birthday for the whole community: the former municipality is now a (NW) ward of Utrecht city, while north of it is de village of Zuilen in Maarssen municipality. The former municipality was dissolved in 1954

The village of Zuilen, or Oud-Zuilen is south of the city ward, and has a very glorious past, as it was already completely demolished in 838; in the 12th century it was owned by the Abbey (of Utrecht), later by Frank van Borssele; in 1672 headquarters of Maarschalk Condé, and known by the romance of James Boswell and Belle van Zuylen.
The etymology of "Zuilen" is not known, but most probably it has nothing to do with columns.
Source: Vexilla Nostra 237 (2003), p. 48.
Van Goor's Aardrijkskundig Woordenboek van Nederland, 1968.
Jarig Bakker, 24 Apr 2005

The form of the column is based on the book "Zuilen" by J.E.A.L. Struick. The original arms had "wild men" as supporters, as can be seen in a leaded window in the former municipal hall of Zuilen. It is the arms of the Van Zuylen family (without supporters); the oldest known image is from the "Wapenboek Gelre" (14th century). The lords of Suylen originated in Sulen near Cleve (Germany). Because the Rhine shifted its bed that village has disappeared. In 1247 is the first mention of the Castle of Zuylen (Huys te Suylen). Before that the settlement was known as Zwesen. The lords of Zuilen were officially "Heer van Zuilen-en-Sweserengh". Sweserengh is the present ward of Zuilen in the city of Utrecht.
Arnold Rog, 8 Aug 2005

Zuilen Coat of Arms

[Zuilen Coat of Arms] by Jarig Bakker, 24 Apr 2005, after image in the Koffie Hag album
Granted 10 Jun 1818

Arms: gules three columns argent