Back in time
past and present come together
The Langstraat has a rich history, which you can experience in many places. Pay a visit to Heusden Vesting, where you go back to the 17th century, while walking on the fortifications, through the cobbled streets or along the beautiful inner harbor. In Loon op Zand you imagine yourself as a real lord or lady over the historic country estate around Het Witte Kasteel. At the beginning of the 19th century, De Langstraat grew into the center of the shoe and leather industry. Villas of shoe manufacturers, tannery complexes that have been given new uses, the Schoenenkwartier and various walking and cycling routes remind us of this. In short: past and present come together in De Langstraat.
The Langstraat: discover the past
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Shoe and leather
Shoe and leather
It is no coincidence that De Langstraat is the cradle of shoemakers and tanners. Cows supplied the leather. The rivers Donge and Loint provided clean running water and the oak trees on the barren land provided oak bark. Want to learn more about leather? Then visit Schoenenkwartier, hike the Wet Blue trail or bike the Bicycle & LEDER trails!
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Het Witte Kasteel
Het Witte Kasteel
At Loon op Zand you imagine yourself as a lord or lady over the historic country estate around Het Witte Kasteel, which was built in 1777 on the remains of an older castle of the Lords of Loon op Zand. The national monument has old defensive walls, a herb, flower and vegetable garden and an orchard. There are guided tours on Sundays (please make reservations).You can also stay overnight!
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Boundary posts
This border between Holland and Brabant from around 1795 runs from Willemstad to Engelen and cuts through the municipalities of Dongen, Waalwijk, Heusden and 's-Hertogenbosch in the eastern Langstraat. Today there are oak posts marking the line. The boundary posts are made of oak, in which the coat of arms of Brabant is carved on one side and the coat of arms of Holland on the other.
Fortified town of Heusden: discover the past
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Fortified town of Heusden
Fortified town of Heusden
Heusden is renowned as a seventeenth-century fortified town. In many respects, Heusden still resembles (or more accurately resembles) the town as the Amsterdam mapmaker Joan Blaeu depicted it on his famous map of 1649. Since 1968 Heusden has been beautifully restored. For this the town received the highest European award in this field, the restoration prize 'Europa Nostra'.
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Stelling of Heusden
Stelling of Heusden
When Heusden Fortress became a frontier fortress of the Republic of the Netherlands in the late sixteenth century, the Elshoutse Zeedijk became part of the Stelling van Heusden. By flooding the area around Heusden, the locks on the Zeedijk provided defense against the enemy in times of war. Around Heusden is a set of such beautifully restored locks and forts, such as Fort Hedikhuizen.
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Discover The Zuiderwaterlinie
Discover The Zuiderwaterlinie
The Zuiderwaterlinie is the oldest, longest and most used of all the Dutch water lines. All the way from Bergen op Zoom to Grave. A unique chain of 11 Brabant fortified towns (such as Heusden) and their surrounding countryside (including Waalwijk), connected by the typical Dutch story of defending with water. Where once the soldiers stood at the border, you now find Brabant coziness against the backdrop of a rich history.
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Heusden Visitor Center
Heusden Visitor Center
Heusden's former Town Hall is now used as a Visitor Center. Changing exhibitions are arranged here. The no less than 35 m2 model of the fortified town forms a permanent part of the collection. With interactive columns you can find more information about the prominent places in the fortress. A film is also shown about the history of Heusden. TIP Heusden is located in the visitor center.
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Governor's House Heusden
Governor's House Heusden
Dating from 1592, the Governor's House is one of the finest buildings in the fortress. It was once the parsonage of the N.H. Church and later became the official residence of the governor. Now the Governor's House is the place that brings the history of Heusden and its surroundings to life with its own permanent collection and surprising temporary exhibitions. Enjoy a good glass of wine in the museum café or the walled Governor's Garden.
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Heemtuin De Meulenwerf
Heemtuin De Meulenwerf
What plants were used by the physician, the monastics, the grocer and the tailor? Rely on your senses. What do you smell? What do you hear? What do you feel? Feast your eyes and learn about the properties of plants this way. And you do this at the very spot where the city farm and vegetable gardens used to be in the fortified town of Heusden. Heemtuin De Meulenwerf, under the rampart, near the river Maas.
be shown around
Want to learn more about the past and present of the most beautiful sights in the center of Waalwijk? Or be led along alleys, squares, the city harbor, the beautifully restored fortifications and many monumental buildings that fortified town Heusden is rich. Then book a walking tour led by an experienced guide!
Book a guided tour
The history of The Langstraat - read our blogs
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Zuiderwaterlinie and De Langstraat
Zuiderwaterlinie and De Langstraat
The Zuiderwaterlinie forms a unique series of historic fortified towns and surrounding areas linked by the authentic story of defending the Netherlands on water.
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This is how you discover the tannery past of De Langstraat
This is how you discover the tannery past of De Langstraat
I love special places in the Netherlands. As far as I am concerned, the Langstraat has all the ingredients for a special day out. What makes the region very unique is its history as a thriving tanning area, which is still very much felt and visible.
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History of The Langstraat
History of The Langstraat
Langstraat is the name used for centuries to designate a centrally located area in North Brabant. Peat and hay extraction and shoe and leather industry were central. Today, the region is known as the leisureregion of Brabant.
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History of Heusden
History of Heusden
Heusden is renowned as a seventeenth century fortified town. In many ways, Heusden still resembles (or more accurately, resembles again) the town as the Amsterdam mapmaker Joan Blaeu depicted it on his famous map of 1649. But the town is much older.
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Fortifications of Heusden
Fortifications of Heusden
Toward the end of the sixteenth century, a new era presented itself in Heusden. The city government sided with William of Orange, and Heusden's defenses were adjusted to keep Spanish troops out of Holland.
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Restoration of Heusden
Restoration of Heusden
The impoverishment that occurred in the nineteenth century had made Heusden a dilapidated monument town. Especially after the devastation of 1944, the town was badly battered. The municipal government was faced with the task of restoring and growing the town.
Gang of the White Feather
For generations the exciting story of the "Gang of the White Feather" has been told in the De Langstraat region. Experience the bicycle route that is dedicated to this saga. A great adventure near De Efteling and National Park De Loonse en Drunense Duinen!
Read more about the gang of robbers
