Fortified cities route Leerdam - Heukelum - Asperen
Vijfheerenlanden, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Hiking route: 342287
Provided by: Groots Genieten
9.6 km
02:23 h
542 kcal
6 m
Description
History
The idea of a water line was developed from the idea that you could use water to defend your country in times of need. Pieces of land were flooded to stop enemy armies. Small armed ships (flat-bottomed boats) were kept ready to come to the aid of threatened places. The Old Dutch Waterline originated in the Golden Age (1600-1700). The water line was based on the principle that a flooded strip of land on the eastern border of Holland would protect the country against external attacks. The line ran from the major rivers to the former Zuiderzee and had to turn Holland into an impregnable fortress. Fortified towns were located on the passages to protect the inundation locks.
The virtually continuous strip of low-lying land had to be quickly flooded in the event of an imminent attack. And the intermediate higher parts - dykes and quays on which the villages and towns were located - were provided with defenses. A layer of water of about 40 to 50 centimeters would make the land impassable for an army and the water unsalvageable for ships.
Asperen,"the walled orchard\\\"
Asperen owes this nickname to the many city farms and yards. The town (almost 3,000 inhabitants) was probably already inhabited in Roman times. After the construction of the southern Lingedijk, a dike village was created on the border of Holland and Gelre. In 893 it was mentioned in the registers of the abbey of Prüm, which had possessions in Asperen. Jan van Arkel (circa 1200) is the oldest known lord of Asperen. One of his descendants, Otto I, ensured that the House of Arkel received the town in 1313 as a free seigneury in'immortal\\\' inheritance; the feudal lord was Count William III of Holland. At that time Asperen also received city rights. The border town of Asperen suffered greatly from wars. In 1517 it was plundered by the Zwarte Hoop\\\', a troop of mercenaries, who were on their way back to Germany after the plunder of Medemblik during the Guelders wars. A large number of residents lost their lives.
Within the walls of the city was Waddenstein Castle, where, among others, the Lords of Arkel lived. It was blown up by the French in 1672. In 1893 a romantic mansion was built on this spot, which now serves as the town hall.
Also noteworthy is the Waterpoort at the beginning of the Hoge Minstraat. In the past, the Linge was drained via the Waterpoort to fill the Minte with water. The Min was used for the supply and removal of goods for the farms in the center.
High above Asperen rises the 55 meter high tower of the Sint Catharina or Buurkerk, built in the 15th century in Kempian Gothic style. The mural behind the organ in the church still bears witness to the massacre in 1517. In the summer months, the church can be visited on Saturdays from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
The steam pumping station of Asperen
The former steam pumping station on the Oude Zuiderlingedijk, located west of Asperen and north of Castle De Merckenburg, dates from 1895. It consists of a two-aisled white painted building with hipped roofs and a wooden building with saddle roof; the authentic coal shed has also been preserved. The lock has been closed, but the inlet for the water from the Asperen polder is still functioning.
The antique/brocante shop Het Oude Stoomgemaal is located in the pumping station. Next to the pumping station is the Sculpture Garden of Land en Beeld with spatial work by leading artists (www.landenbeeldinl).
The Linge is a very old and dangerous rain river in the Betuweland. In the past, the many dike breaches caused flooding, resulting in the loss of villages and towns. And the Oude Zuiderlingedijk still serves as a barrier against high water, especially when the Linge is used for the overflow of the Merwede. The old pumping station kept the land dry for the people and made building possible.
Kasteel De Merckenburg - on the border of Holland and Guelders - dates from the 13th century; in the Disaster Year 1672 it was largely destroyed by the French, but the medieval gate tower was preserved. Later it was rebuilt. The pumping station with a sand casemate in the outer values of the Linge to defend the pumping station and a lowered supply dike for supplying the casemate are part of the Dutch Waterline.
For example, the old steam pumping station, castle De Merckenburg and the rustic towns along the Linge each tell their story about the Old Dutch Waterline.
Along the Lingedijk to Heukelum
We walk along the Lingedijk to Heukelum. A beautiful route, which takes you past the famous glass factory of Leerdam and the adjacent working-class districts, the National Glass Museum (www.nationaalglasmuseum.nl; open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Mondays) and the Bible Museum ( www.statenbijbelmuseum.nl), open on Wednesdays (10am-noon and 2-4pm) and Saturdays (10am-4pm).
We also pass the old general cemetery where a Jewish cemetery has been set up in a separate area. A panoramic landscape unfolds at the hamlet of Oosterwijk. This town is one of the oldest residential areas of the Vijfheerenlanden, it was already inhabited in Roman times. A medieval castle once stood near the current church.
In the summer we can transfer to Heukelum with the foot ferry Linlaten for 1 Euro. If the foot ferry is not, follow the red (alternative) route.
The pedestrian ferry Heukelum-Oosterwijk / Galgenwaard is open daily from late March - early April to early or mid-September from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m..
City walls on the Linge
Not much has survived of Leerdam's medieval fortifications, apart from the angular shape of the city and street names such as Westwal, Noordwal and Oostwal. The most important remains can be found on the Zuidwal, where the old city wall borders the river Linge. The other walls of the city were demolished in the 19th century.
In 1738, three tower houses were built, also known as mouse towers. From the wooden bridge at the restaurant on the Linge we have the best view of the city. At Kerkstraat no. 67 is the Hofje of Mrs. Van Aerden, built in 1770-1772 on the site where Leerdam Castle used to be. It was intended for single ladies and that provision of the will has never been challenged. A wedding and council chamber has now been set up in the Hofje for the municipality, while the regent's room with its rare collection of paintings and the backyard are open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 13:00-17:00.
Leerdam, fortified town on the Linge
In the Middle Ages, Leerdam was located in an important and strategic place in the area of power of the lords of Arkel, between Holland and Gelre.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the town suffered a lot from the Arkelse and Gelderland wars. In the 16th century, Leerdam, together with Buren, became a sovereign possession of the Prince of Orange. That has remained the case to this day: King Willem-Alexander still carries the noble title'Count of Leerdam\\\"!
Leerdam thus acquired a special position. The inhabitants paid no taxes to the States of Holland and no war cloud could be encamped without a permit from the prince. In addition, the city, like Vianen and Culemborg, was a city of refuge where criminals could find temporary refuge under certain conditions. The city later did not play a particularly important role in the defense of Holland. Nevertheless, the city with the nearby Diefdijk was included in the plans of the Old Dutch Waterline in the 18th century. The fortifications along the Diefdijk remind us of this.
The ferryman of Heukelum
Heukelum (six hundred inhabitants in the old core) looks like a village, but is a real city with centuries-old city rights. It is first mentioned in a document from 996, when a certain Fretzhold donated his rights to the church Ukele, as Heukelum was called at the time, to the bishop of Utrecht. For example, we know that Heukelum already had a church at that time. We may assume that the place was inhabited long before that time.
In 1230 Heukelum was provided with city walls on the west side protected by the Linge. Many disasters plagued the city, including floods. In the Disaster Year 1672, Lieutenant Engelbij and the captain of an outrigger - an armed ship - flooded the entire country of Heukelum and Asperen by breaching the dikes. This prevented French garrisons from joining other army units.
In 1772, 36 of the approximately one hundred wooden houses were lost to a city fire. The old city walls, which were surrounded by a moat, now lie beneath the grass-covered embankments surrounding the city. The high location, the compact construction and the street pattern give an idea of what the town looked like in times gone by.
The idea of a water line was developed from the idea that you could use water to defend your country in times of need. Pieces of land were flooded to stop enemy armies. Small armed ships (flat-bottomed boats) were kept ready to come to the aid of threatened places. The Old Dutch Waterline originated in the Golden Age (1600-1700). The water line was based on the principle that a flooded strip of land on the eastern border of Holland would protect the country against external attacks. The line ran from the major rivers to the former Zuiderzee and had to turn Holland into an impregnable fortress. Fortified towns were located on the passages to protect the inundation locks.
The virtually continuous strip of low-lying land had to be quickly flooded in the event of an imminent attack. And the intermediate higher parts - dykes and quays on which the villages and towns were located - were provided with defenses. A layer of water of about 40 to 50 centimeters would make the land impassable for an army and the water unsalvageable for ships.
Asperen,"the walled orchard\\\"
Asperen owes this nickname to the many city farms and yards. The town (almost 3,000 inhabitants) was probably already inhabited in Roman times. After the construction of the southern Lingedijk, a dike village was created on the border of Holland and Gelre. In 893 it was mentioned in the registers of the abbey of Prüm, which had possessions in Asperen. Jan van Arkel (circa 1200) is the oldest known lord of Asperen. One of his descendants, Otto I, ensured that the House of Arkel received the town in 1313 as a free seigneury in'immortal\\\' inheritance; the feudal lord was Count William III of Holland. At that time Asperen also received city rights. The border town of Asperen suffered greatly from wars. In 1517 it was plundered by the Zwarte Hoop\\\', a troop of mercenaries, who were on their way back to Germany after the plunder of Medemblik during the Guelders wars. A large number of residents lost their lives.
Within the walls of the city was Waddenstein Castle, where, among others, the Lords of Arkel lived. It was blown up by the French in 1672. In 1893 a romantic mansion was built on this spot, which now serves as the town hall.
Also noteworthy is the Waterpoort at the beginning of the Hoge Minstraat. In the past, the Linge was drained via the Waterpoort to fill the Minte with water. The Min was used for the supply and removal of goods for the farms in the center.
High above Asperen rises the 55 meter high tower of the Sint Catharina or Buurkerk, built in the 15th century in Kempian Gothic style. The mural behind the organ in the church still bears witness to the massacre in 1517. In the summer months, the church can be visited on Saturdays from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
The steam pumping station of Asperen
The former steam pumping station on the Oude Zuiderlingedijk, located west of Asperen and north of Castle De Merckenburg, dates from 1895. It consists of a two-aisled white painted building with hipped roofs and a wooden building with saddle roof; the authentic coal shed has also been preserved. The lock has been closed, but the inlet for the water from the Asperen polder is still functioning.
The antique/brocante shop Het Oude Stoomgemaal is located in the pumping station. Next to the pumping station is the Sculpture Garden of Land en Beeld with spatial work by leading artists (www.landenbeeldinl).
The Linge is a very old and dangerous rain river in the Betuweland. In the past, the many dike breaches caused flooding, resulting in the loss of villages and towns. And the Oude Zuiderlingedijk still serves as a barrier against high water, especially when the Linge is used for the overflow of the Merwede. The old pumping station kept the land dry for the people and made building possible.
Kasteel De Merckenburg - on the border of Holland and Guelders - dates from the 13th century; in the Disaster Year 1672 it was largely destroyed by the French, but the medieval gate tower was preserved. Later it was rebuilt. The pumping station with a sand casemate in the outer values of the Linge to defend the pumping station and a lowered supply dike for supplying the casemate are part of the Dutch Waterline.
For example, the old steam pumping station, castle De Merckenburg and the rustic towns along the Linge each tell their story about the Old Dutch Waterline.
Along the Lingedijk to Heukelum
We walk along the Lingedijk to Heukelum. A beautiful route, which takes you past the famous glass factory of Leerdam and the adjacent working-class districts, the National Glass Museum (www.nationaalglasmuseum.nl; open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Mondays) and the Bible Museum ( www.statenbijbelmuseum.nl), open on Wednesdays (10am-noon and 2-4pm) and Saturdays (10am-4pm).
We also pass the old general cemetery where a Jewish cemetery has been set up in a separate area. A panoramic landscape unfolds at the hamlet of Oosterwijk. This town is one of the oldest residential areas of the Vijfheerenlanden, it was already inhabited in Roman times. A medieval castle once stood near the current church.
In the summer we can transfer to Heukelum with the foot ferry Linlaten for 1 Euro. If the foot ferry is not, follow the red (alternative) route.
The pedestrian ferry Heukelum-Oosterwijk / Galgenwaard is open daily from late March - early April to early or mid-September from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m..
City walls on the Linge
Not much has survived of Leerdam's medieval fortifications, apart from the angular shape of the city and street names such as Westwal, Noordwal and Oostwal. The most important remains can be found on the Zuidwal, where the old city wall borders the river Linge. The other walls of the city were demolished in the 19th century.
In 1738, three tower houses were built, also known as mouse towers. From the wooden bridge at the restaurant on the Linge we have the best view of the city. At Kerkstraat no. 67 is the Hofje of Mrs. Van Aerden, built in 1770-1772 on the site where Leerdam Castle used to be. It was intended for single ladies and that provision of the will has never been challenged. A wedding and council chamber has now been set up in the Hofje for the municipality, while the regent's room with its rare collection of paintings and the backyard are open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 13:00-17:00.
Leerdam, fortified town on the Linge
In the Middle Ages, Leerdam was located in an important and strategic place in the area of power of the lords of Arkel, between Holland and Gelre.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the town suffered a lot from the Arkelse and Gelderland wars. In the 16th century, Leerdam, together with Buren, became a sovereign possession of the Prince of Orange. That has remained the case to this day: King Willem-Alexander still carries the noble title'Count of Leerdam\\\"!
Leerdam thus acquired a special position. The inhabitants paid no taxes to the States of Holland and no war cloud could be encamped without a permit from the prince. In addition, the city, like Vianen and Culemborg, was a city of refuge where criminals could find temporary refuge under certain conditions. The city later did not play a particularly important role in the defense of Holland. Nevertheless, the city with the nearby Diefdijk was included in the plans of the Old Dutch Waterline in the 18th century. The fortifications along the Diefdijk remind us of this.
The ferryman of Heukelum
Heukelum (six hundred inhabitants in the old core) looks like a village, but is a real city with centuries-old city rights. It is first mentioned in a document from 996, when a certain Fretzhold donated his rights to the church Ukele, as Heukelum was called at the time, to the bishop of Utrecht. For example, we know that Heukelum already had a church at that time. We may assume that the place was inhabited long before that time.
In 1230 Heukelum was provided with city walls on the west side protected by the Linge. Many disasters plagued the city, including floods. In the Disaster Year 1672, Lieutenant Engelbij and the captain of an outrigger - an armed ship - flooded the entire country of Heukelum and Asperen by breaching the dikes. This prevented French garrisons from joining other army units.
In 1772, 36 of the approximately one hundred wooden houses were lost to a city fire. The old city walls, which were surrounded by a moat, now lie beneath the grass-covered embankments surrounding the city. The high location, the compact construction and the street pattern give an idea of what the town looked like in times gone by.
Tip: ferries often sail at different times during the seasons. We advise you to inform yourself about the current times before departure. Ferry from Oosterwijk to Heuekelum sails from 1 May.
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4141DA Vijfheerenlanden
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Directions
| # | Description | Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dokter Reilinghplein, 4141DA, Vijfheerenlanden, Utrecht, The Netherlands | 0.00 km | ||
| Dokter Reilinghplein, 4141DA, Vijfheerenlanden, Utrecht, The Netherlands | 9.55 km |
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