Traces from the past

The cores of Reek, Schaijk and Zeeland all originated in the 13th century. This region has many special buildings and objects, each with its own story. Read the stories on the information panels at the locations.

Or on the website > https://www.exploremaashorst.nl/routes-overzicht/2889780866/fietsroute-sporen-uit-het-verleden

Reek

Reek is first mentioned in a charter from 1356 as a hamlet of "De Reke", which means series or long row. This is due to the elongated shape of the former settlement. Reek has two main roads: Heytmorgen and Mgr. Borretstraat. The church is located near the intersection of both roads. The character of the centre is determined by scattered farms and houses.

Read more about Reek > https://www.exploremaashorst.nl/ontdek/onze-dorpen/reek

Schaijk

From around 1200, permanent habitation has been present in Schaijk. Schaijk used to be spelled as Scaeywijc, Scadewic or Schadewijk. The word wijk means: settlement. Sche or scha means forest. The centre of Schaijk initially developed along the road to Reek (Pastoor van Winkelstraat) and along the provincial road to Berghem and Herpen (Schutsboomstraat-Runstraat). The village centre is located near the intersection of these roads, where the church and town hall are located.

Read more about Schaijk > https://www.exploremaashorst.nl/ontdek/onze-dorpen/schaijk

Zealand

The name Zeeland comes from the Old High German selilant or the Latin terra salica, which means "free heritage". Over the course of history, the name of the settlement was successively written as: Zelant, Selant, Seelandt, and Op-Zeeland. Originally, the area was mainly inhabited by farmers for whom arable farming and cattle breeding were the main means of subsistence. Characteristic of Zeeland are the many hamlets of Brand, Graspeel, Kreitsberg, Nabbegat, Oventje, Puttelaar, Trent, Voederheil and Zevenhuis, which can still be recognized as such.

Read more about Zeeland > https://www.exploremaashorst.nl/ontdek/onze-dorpen/zeeland