City near Rotterdam, with about 120,000 inhabitants. Dordrecht had municipal rights as early as 1220 and therefore is the oldest town of Holland. In 1572, the first free assembly of the States of Holland was held here, which meant the successful political start of the Revolt against King Philip II of Spain. Dordrecht is also well known because of the Calvinistic Synod of Dordrecht in 1618–1619. Although Rotterdam had surpassed Dordrecht by the 18th century, the city still has a minor sea harbor with shipbuilding and related industries.
Historical Dictionary of the Netherlands. EdwART. 2012.