Kerkrade

Kerkrade: church of the former abbey of Rolduc Church of the former abbey of Rolduc in Kerkrade, Neth.

Kerkrade, gemeente (municipality), southeastern Netherlands, east of Maastricht on the German border. One of Europe’s oldest coal-mining towns, Kerkrade served as an important coal-mining centre from 1113 until the early 1970s, when the mines were closed.

The former abbey of Rolduc (1104) has a notable Romanesque church; its courtyard buildings now serve as a boys’ school. A natural history and mining museum is housed in Oud Ehrenstein Castle. International music contests are held periodically in the Europaplein Park. Kerkrade metropolitan area is contiguous with Heerlen (q.v.). Pop. (2007 est.) 48,769.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
Citation Information
Article Title: Kerkrade
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 19 May 2011
Access Date: March 30, 2025