Hostellerie Munten

Weert, no less than Weert

by benschattenberg

"The gate of Limburg"

Situated along the Zuid-Willemsvaart River, Weert is a nice combination of an industrial town (with lots of interesting industrial architecture) and a nice, burgundis, typical southern-dutch city. It combines a long history with modernity.
Situated in the western part of the province of Limburg, Weert has a good connection with cities like Eindhoven and the rest of Holland, but also with major Belgian cities like Bree and german cities.
Weert is the gateway between Limburg and the rest of the world.

Weert

by nighthawk

"History"

Weert is lively trade, shopping and industry town with almost 49000 inhabitants and centre of a region of almost 100000 people.
It is located in the middle of the province of Limburg, close to the natuional parc 'De Peel'.
The council of Weert, main city Weert and the church towns Altweerderheide, Laar, Stamproy, Swartbroek and Tungelroy.

Even in late brons age and early iron age people were living in these areas. The large buriel field at the Boshoverheide (moor), one of the largest of western Europe, is proof of it.

Close to Rosveld and Molenakker (Laar) traces from Roman habitants were found.
First written proof of the Land of Weert is from 1062 and in 1306 it became self sufficient ruled by Gerard I of Horne.
Weert had its Golden Age in the 15th and 16th century.
Old buildings like the St Marin Church, the monastry castle 'De Aldenborgh' (old peoples house these days), the old coin (de oude Munt) and the castle De Biest are remainders of those days.

After this Golden Age hard times came for Weert due to many wars that were battled here between 1600 and 1794.
Those harsh days were changed to more prosperous times when the Zuid Willemsvaart (canal) and the Canal du Nord were digged.
When the railroad line Antwerpen-Weert-Roermond (the iron Rhine) was opened the isolation of this region was broken.
When more improvements were made to railroad connections to the south and Weert becoming an industrial town, good times came in the sixties.

It shows in the many works that were done in the inner town of Weert.

The city church of St Martin is one of the top 100 monuments of The Netherlands.
In the late gothic church (dating from 1456 and 1520) are some unique fresco's.
To my regret we visited on a Sunday and the church was in use for mass.

The old coin house.
In the old days money was made in this house by the Lords of Weert, the count of Horne.
Nowadays this building is in use as a restaurant and part of the mall called 'De Munt.