De Blauwe Steen

Contrary to what its name suggests, this stone is not blue, but red, thanks to the red-brown type of stone from the Eifel that is used. The stones of the same name in Nijmegen, Leiden and Deventer are blue because of the Belgian limestone from which they are made. The Blue Stone of Batenburg played a role in the judiciary since the Middle Ages. In minor offenses such as theft and slander, the defendant was led round the stone three times. In the meantime, when family or friends refused to pay the defendant's bail, he was taken to prison.