DORDRECHT (abbreviated Dordt or Dort), in the prov ince of South Holland, Holland, on the south side of the Merwede, and a junction station 121 m. S.E. of Rotterdam. It is connected with Papendrec ht and Zwyndrecht on the opposite shore. Pop. Dordrecht was founded by Count Dirk III. of Holland in 1018, becoming a town about 1200. One of the first towns in the Netherlands to embrace the reformed religion and to throw off the yoke of Spain, it was in 1572 the meeting-place of the deputies who asserted the independence of the United Provinces. In 1618 and 1619 it was the seat of the synod of Dort (q.v.).
Dordrecht presents a picturesque appearance with its busy quays and numerous canals and windmills, its quaint streets and curiously gabled houses. The Groote Kerk, of Our Lady, with a massive tower, dates from the 14th century and contains some finely carved stalls (154o) by Jan Terween Aertsz, and a remark able pulpit (1759). In the town museum is an interesting col lection of paintings, including pictures by some of the old masters, many of whom were natives of Dordrecht. Close to the museum is one of the old city gates, rebuilt in 1618, and now containing a collection of antiquities belonging to the Oud-Dordrecht Society. The harbour of Dordrecht still has a large trade, but much has been diverted to Rotterdam. Large quantities of wood are im ported from Germany, Scandinavia and America. There are numerous saw-mills, shipbuilding yards, sugar refineries, tobacco factories, linen bleacheries, etc.