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Alphen

Alphen is a village in the municipality of Alphen-Chaam in North Brabant, approximately 12 kilometers southwest of Tilburg. The village is mentioned as early as 709 ; no martial arts club with a confirmed location in Alphen was found during this research.

At a glance

Country NETHERLANDS  Netherlands Region North Brabant
Gyms - Fighters - Trainers - Events - Venues - Organizations -

Introduction

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About this city

Alphen is a village in the municipality of Alphen-Chaam in the province of North Brabant, approximately 12 kilometers southwest of Tilburg. On January 1, 2026, the village had 4,486 inhabitants and covered an area of 39.92 km².
The place has a long history. In 709, a nobleman named Engelbrecht sold “Alfheim” to Saint Willibrord, and in 739 it came into the possession of Echternach Abbey. In 1542, Alphen was burned to the ground by the Gelderland army under Maarten van Rossum, and in 1944 the village once again suffered destruction and looting. Until 1997, Alphen was the main village of the municipality of Alphen and Riel; since then, it has been part of Alphen-Chaam.

There is little verifiable information about martial arts in Alphen. The Furinkazan karate school is mentioned in the region, but is listed at De Bunders sports hall in Oisterwijk; a training location in Alphen itself could not be confirmed.

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Overview

A village in Brabant near Tilburg

Alphen is located in the municipality of Alphen-Chaam, approximately 12 kilometres southwest of Tilburg. The village had 4,486 inhabitants on 1 January 2026, compared with 4,040 in 2013. The municipality of Alphen-Chaam as a whole had 10,495 inhabitants in 2026.

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Geography and character

Rural area

The town of Alphen covers 39.92 km², almost entirely land: 3,981 hectares of land versus 11 hectares of water. The municipality of Alphen-Chaam covers a total area of 93.52 km².

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History

From Alfheim to Alphen-Chaam

Alphen is first mentioned in 709, when the nobleman Engelbrecht sold “Alfheim” to Saint Willibrord; in 739 it passed to Echternach Abbey. In 1542, the village was burned down by the Guelders army under Maarten van Rossum, and in 1944 it was again devastated and looted. The Catholic Saint Willibrord Church was built in 1954 to replace the church destroyed in 1944; the emergency church from 1945 still stands next to it.

Municipal division

Until 1997, Alphen was the main village of the municipality of Alphen and Riel. On 1 January 1997, the municipality of Alphen-Chaamwas established, comprising the villages of Alphen and Chaam and several hamlets.

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Martial arts landscape

Little evidence of martial arts

This research found no martial arts club or martial arts event with a confirmed location in Alphen. The one mentioned in the region Karate school Furinkazan is listed on the TryOut Tilburg sports platform with sports hall De Bunders in Oisterwijk.

Martial arts facts

First mention
709
Nobleman Engelbrecht sold 'Alfheim' to Saint Willibrord Alphen, North Brabant
Abbey of Echternach
739
Alphen resold to the abbey Alphen, North Brabant
Destruction
1542
burned to the ground by the army of Gelderland under Maarten van Rossum Alphen, North Brabant
St. Willibrordus Church
built in 1954
replacing the church destroyed in 1944 Alphen, North Brabant
Municipality of Alphen-Chaam
founded on January 1, 1997
until 1997, Alphen was the main village of Alphen en Riel Alphen-Chaam Alphen, North Brabant
Population growth
from 4,040 (2013) to 4,486 (2026)
growth of 11% (place of residence Alphen) Town of Alphen (municipality of Alphen-Chaam) in figures

Data last checked on 7 October 2026

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