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Heusden remainded loyal to the
lawful government of the Spanish king, for quite some time, during the 80 year
war. Only at the time of the pacification of Gent did this change. Due to lack
of investment in the cities defense system Heusden chose the side of the
revolution and the Prince of Orange. Soon afterwards (1579) the fortification
works started. At that time Heusden chose an Italian defense building style.
The bastion was fitted out with various fortifications and a moat. The
fortifications were further improved in 1613 to improve the defense system of
the city.
It took the French from 1672
(the year of disaster) until 1795 before they were able to occupy Heusden.
Several times their armies tried, without success, to conquer the bastion.
When the French again tried to conquer the town in 1795 they found the gates
open. The city was once again a home to the patriots. In early december 1813
the French left Heusden due to the reclaimation of Dutch soil.
During the second world war,
Heusden was almost destroyed in the fight for freedom. The Germans, on the
retreat, looked for safe ground behind the new front (the Bergsche Maas) and
blew up the higher towers in the bastion, the city hall and two church
belltowers. 134 people lost their lives during the bombing because they were
hiding in the basement of the city hall.
Encouraged by the federal
government, in 1968 the city council started with the restauration of the
bastion. The restauration plans were based on the 1649
Blaeu map. In 1980 Heusden
was decorated with the highest European restauration award the ‘Urbes
Nostrae.’
Nowadays Heusden has 1.500
inhabitants. Some 350.000 tourists visit the bastion every year. Tourism and
ship building are the largest sources of income. Heusden also houses many
artists and galeries.
The greatest points of
interest are the bastion walls (vestigingswallen), the governers garden (gouveneurstuin),
the fish market (vismarkt), the harbour (stadshaven), the three windmills (molens)
and Saint Catherines church (Catherijnekerk).
In 1997 the three
former councils of Heusden, Vlijmen and Drunen were merged into one larger
council: the council of Heusden. For more information please visit the
councils internet site at www.heusden.nl
Download
the history and walking tour of Heusden
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