{{Infobox settlement | name = Mierlo | settlement_type = Town | other_name = <!-- if different from name --> | native_name = <!-- if different from name --> | native_name_lang = nl | image_skyline = Raadhuis-Mierlo.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Mierlo town hall | image_flag = | image_shield = Logo_mierlo.gif | nickname = | motto = | image_map = | map_caption = | image_map1 = | map_caption1 = | pushpin_map = Netherlands North Brabant#Netherlands | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_mapsize = 250 | pushpin_map_caption = Location in the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Netherlands | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = North Brabant | subdivision_type2 = Municipality | subdivision_name2 = Geldrop-Mierlo | elevation_footnotes = <ref name="AHN">{{cite web |url = http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool |title = Postcodetool for 5731AA |language = nl |work = Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland |publisher = Het Waterschapshuis |access-date = 16 April 2022 }}</ref> | elevation_m = 22 | elevation_min_m = | elevation_max_m = | area_footnotes = <ref name="stat"/> | area_total_km2 = 18.03 | established_title = | established_date = | population_footnotes = <ref name="stat">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.nl/-/media/_excel/2021/48/kwb-2021.xls |title=Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021 |website=Central Bureau of Statistics |access-date=16 April 2022}}</ref> | population_total = 11,105 | population_as_of = 2021 | population_demonym = | population_note = | population_density_km2 = auto | timezone = CET | utc_offset = +1 | timezone_DST = CEST | utc_offset_DST = +2 | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 5731<ref name="stat"/> | area_code_type = Dialing code | area_code = 0492 | coordinates = {{coord|51|26|28|N|5|37|10|E|region:NL|display=title, inline}} }}
'''Mierlo''' is a village in the southern Netherlands, in the municipality of Geldrop-Mierlo, North Brabant. Until 2004, it was a separate municipality with an area of {{convert|18.09|km²|0|abbr=on}}.
Mierlo is home to a few interesting buildings, for example the old Council house and the windmill in the centre of the village. Sports clubs in Mierlo are Mifano and the Hockey Club. Just to the south, separated by the A67 motorway, lies the Strabrechtse Heide.
Mierlo is situated in the urban area of Eindhoven and Helmond. But it has many green areas. It lies on the edge of forests, moorlands and fields.
== History == The oldest inhabitants of the area that we have any knowledge of were the reindeer hunters. In 1961, a piece of sandstone, dated at around 9,000B.C. was discovered on the heath between Mierlo and Geldrop. On this stone a half-naked dancing female figure was etched, which is now known as the 'Venus of Mierlo.' It is the oldest artistic expression ever found in the Netherlands.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-14 |title=De Venus van Mierlo |url=http://www.brabantserfgoed.nl/page/5428/de-venus-van-mierlo |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=Brabants Erfgoed |language=nl}}</ref>
The village was first mentioned in 1245 as Henricus de Mirle, and is a combination of the words for moorland and open forest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://etymologiebank.nl/trefwoord/mierlo |title=Mierlo - (geografische naam) |website=Etymologiebank |access-date=16 April 2022 |language=nl}}</ref> Mierlo developed in the 12th century near a castle. The castle was rebuilt in 1210 after it was destroyed, and collapsed in a storm in 1800.<ref name="monument">{{cite book|url=https://dbnl.org/tekst/sten009monu02_01/sten009monu02_01_0115.php |title=Mierlo |author=Chris Kolman & Ronald Stenvert| year=1997 |publisher=Waanders |location=Zwolle |isbn=90 400 9945 6 |access-date=16 April 2022 |language=nl}}</ref>
The Catholic St. Lucia Church was built between 1856 and 1858. Part of the tower of the medieval church was incorporated in the new church.<ref name="monument"/> The nameless grist mill of Mierlo was built around 1640. It was moved in 1860 and 1992. It was restored several times and nowadays only used occasionally.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.molendatabase.nl/nederland/molen.php?nummer=556 |title=(standerdmolen) |website=Molen database |access-date=16 April 2022 |language=nl}}</ref>
Mierlo was home to 466 people in 1840. Mierlo was an independent municipality. In 1968, the village Mierlo-Hout was transferred to Helmond. In 2003 when it was merged into Geldrop-Mierlo.<ref name="plaats">{{cite web|url=https://www.plaatsengids.nl/mierlo |title=Mierlo |website=Plaatsengids |access-date=16 April 2022 |language=nl}}</ref>
In 2004, Mierlo acquired a zoo named 'Eindhoven Zoo' near the Gulbergen. This zoo initially began under the name 'Dierenrijk Europa,' featuring animals ranging from polar bears to apes from Gibraltar, as well as beavers that had been reintroduced in the Netherlands. When non-European animals, such as elephants and camels, were also introduced, the name was changed to 'Dierenrijk' and later 'Eindhoven Zoo'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dierenrijk {{!}} Kom dichter bij de dieren {{!}} Vlakbij Eindhoven |url=https://www.dierenrijk.nl/ |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=Dierenrijk |language=nl-NL}}</ref>
== Gallery == <gallery> File:Luciakerk-Mierlo.jpg|St Lucia Church File:Reproductie van tekening in bezit van 't Huis - Mierlo - 20159183 - RCE.jpg|Drawing of Castle Mierlo File:Basisschool St. Johannes P1060776.JPG|School in Mierlo File:Hotel De Brug Mierlo - panoramio.jpg|Hotel in Mierlo </gallery>
== See also == * Geldrop-Mierlo
== References == {{RefList}}
==External links== *[http://www.geldrop-mierlo.nl Official Website]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Municipalities of the Netherlands disestablished in 2004 Category:Former municipalities of North Brabant Category:Populated places in North Brabant Category:Geldrop-Mierlo