Middelburg is a municipality and a city in the south-western Netherlands and the capital of Zeeland province situated on the peninsula of Walcheren.<br> The city of Middelburg (population: about 38,000) dates back to the early 9th century or possibly the late 8th century. The first mention of Middelburg was as one of three defensive points erected on the island of Walcheren to guard against Viking raids. In 844 an abbey was built there, which remained in use until the Eighty Years' War, when the northern Netherlands won their independence from Spain. Today, the abbey is used both as a museum and as the seat of the provinical government. Middelburg was granted city rights in 1217.<br> In Medieval times, the city was an important trade centre, with goods coming from the cities of Flanders being shipped to England and vice versa.<br> During the Dutch Golden Age, Middelburg was an important trading city for the Dutch East India Company. The houses in parts of the center are the same kind of lavish mansions of rich merchants that can be found in cities like Amsterdam. There are also many storehouses dating back to the 17th century along the canals. The old city moats are still there, as is one of the city gates, the Koepoort gate. Part of the 18th century moat and defence works however were demolished in the 19th century to make way for the Canal through Walcheren, which runs from Vlissingen to Veere.