Vlissingen

Vlissingen, also known as Flushing in English, is a city and municipality in the province of Zeeland in the southwestern Netherlands. It lies on the western part of the former island of Walcheren, at the mouth of the Western Scheldt estuary, and has long been an important maritime town.

The city center is anchored by a busy harbor and a promenade that runs along the seafront. Vlissingen comprises a historic inner city, a modern harbor district, and a coastal strip with two beaches, Badstrand and Nollestrand, popular for recreation. The local economy rests on shipping and port services, maritime industry, fisheries and tourism.

Vlissingen has medieval origins and developed as a fortified port in the early modern period. It played a role in the maritime conflicts of the Dutch Republic and hosts fortifications and ships’ museums in the surrounding area, including Fort Rammekens. The town sustained damage in World War II and, like much of Zeeland, was affected by the North Sea flood of 1953, which led to flood defenses and urban reconstruction.

Notable cultural attractions include MuZEEum, which presents Zeeland's maritime history, and the Arsenaal, a naval museum housed in a former fortress near the harbor. The city’s lighthouse and other maritime landmarks reflect its port heritage.

Vlissingen is the seat of the municipality of Vlissingen and has a population of about 44,000. It is connected by rail and road to other parts of Zeeland and the Netherlands and serves as a coastal gateway for visitors to the Zeeland coastline.