Barthold van Heessel Ceremony lecture

Heemkundekring Barthold van Heessel will hold an interesting lecture by Jan Timmers on the medieval landweren in the region of Laarbeek, Gemert-Bakel and surrounding areas. This lecture offers a unique opportunity to learn more about these ancient border fortifications, which once served not only to mark boundaries between villages, but also as defensive works.

In the late Middle Ages, village boundaries were fixed between each other, and often reinforced with bulwarks. These special structures offered protection to the local population, for example during the Wars of Gelderland and the Eighty Years' War. In the lecture, Jan Timmers will elaborate on questions such as: ‘What exactly is a bulwark? What functions did these structures have, what did they look like, and where can you still find them today?' The main focus will be on the land defences that are still partly visible along the borders of Beek en Donk, Aarle-Rixtel, Gemert and Bakel, such as the land defence along the Snelleloop. The lecture will take place in Conference Centre De Couwenbergh. Members of Heemkundekring Barthold van Heessel have free access, non-members pay a small contribution. Anyone with an interest in the history of the region is welcome.