Sint-Michielsgestel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sint-Michielsgestel
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Center with the Oude Toren in Sint-Michielsgestel
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| Country | Netherlands | ||
| Province | North Brabant | ||
| Municipality | Sint-Michielsgestel (municipality) | ||
| Population
(1 January 2020)
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12,370 | ||
| Major roads | Provinciale weg 617 | ||
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Sint-Michielsgestel is a village in the Netherlands. It is part of the larger municipality also called Sint-Michielsgestel. This village is known for its rich history and beautiful natural surroundings.
Contents
Exploring Sint-Michielsgestel's Geography
The Dommel river, which is about 120 kilometers long, flows through Sint-Michielsgestel. It starts in Belgium and eventually joins the Meuse river. The Dommel river divides the village into two parts. In the past, this river was very important for transport and greatly shaped the village's history.
A Journey Through Sint-Michielsgestel's History
Ancient Times: Roman Finds
Near a small area called Halder, archaeologists have found many old items. These finds suggest that Halder was a very important place along the Dommel river during the Roman era. In 1962, thousands of Roman coins were discovered close to the Nieuw Herlaer castle. You can see these coins and other local discoveries at the Museum Romeins Halder in Haanwijk.
Medieval Times: Castles and Churches
The center of Sint-Michielsgestel today is different from its medieval center. For a long time, people referred to it as 'Gestel near Herlaar'. The main economic area was in Halder, where there were water mills. Halder also had the old motte-and-bailey castle of Oud Herlaer, which was likely built in the 11th or 12th century. The powerful Lords of Herlaer were first mentioned around 1079. During the Middle Ages, many castles and moated buildings were built around Sint-Michielsgestel.
The village of Sint-Michielsgestel likely became important because it was a safe place to cross the Dommel river. At the base of the Oude toren (old tower) in the village, remains of a wooden church from the 10th century were found. The church in Sint-Michielsgestel is named after the archangel St. Michael, a tradition that goes back to medieval times. Another 10th-century church was found in Ruimel, between Halder and Herlaer.
The name 'Gestel' means sandy ground at a higher level, often in a forest. The 'Sint-Michiels' part was added because there are many places named Gastel or Gestel in the Brabant region. The first clear mention of (Sint-Michiels)gestel as a village was in 1281. The name became official when the areas of Herlaer and Gestel joined around 1314 AD.
Modern History: World War II
During World War II, a school called Beekvliet in Sint-Michielsgestel was used as a prison camp. On May 4, 1942, German forces imprisoned 460 Dutch men there. These prisoners were often important people in Dutch society or involved in politics. Among them were famous writers like Simon Vestdijk and Anton van Duinkerken. Important politicians after the war, such as Wim Schermerhorn and Jan de Quay, were also held there.
Discovering Sint-Michielsgestel's Attractions
The Petrus Dondersplein is the main square in the village, located near the Dommel river. It features two important historical buildings. The Oude toren (old tower) is a beautiful 15th-century church tower. It is built with alternating rows of brick and a soft stone called tuff. The Protestant church was built in 1808. A newer St. Michael's church, built in the 1930s, is a great example of church design from that time. An impressive former institute for the deaf, built in 1908, is also located in the village.
Sint-Michielsgestel and its surrounding areas are well-known for their many old castles and large houses.
- Very little remains of the grand castle at Oud Herlaer, but it is planned to become a museum in the future.
- Nieuw-Herlaer Castle was once a true castle. Today, it is a large house with a stair tower from the 15th century and a newer part from the 18th century.
- Haanwijk is a well-preserved house from the 16th century. It includes other buildings and the small Museum Romeins Halder.
- The Grote Ruwenberg was a large house surrounded by water. It later became a school and is now a place for conferences. Its tower is part of the original building.
- The Kleine Ruwenberg is a 19th-century mansion that replaced an older house from the 15th century.
While many visitors stay in Sint-Michielsgestel to visit nearby 's-Hertogenbosch, the village itself focuses on its natural beauty and historical sites. The area is perfect for outdoor activities like cycling, running, and horse-riding, which are very popular with local people.
Getting Around Sint-Michielsgestel
Sint-Michielsgestel is located close to a main transport route in the Netherlands, between the cities of 's-Hertogenbosch and Eindhoven. The A2 motorway is the main road today. The village also has direct access to 's-Hertogenbosch via the N617 road. The village has grown as more people moved from cities to live in its quieter surroundings.
Important Services in Sint-Michielsgestel
A major employer in Sint-Michielsgestel is Kentalis. This organization helps people with hearing or communication difficulties. The village does not have much large industry. Gymnasium Beekvliet is a popular school that attracts many students from both inside and outside the village.
Sports in Sint-Michielsgestel
Sint-Michielsgestel is a well-known place for Cyclo-cross events. Since 1974, a local foundation has organized major cyclo-cross races here. A big moment was in 2000 when the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships were held in the village. A local rider, Richard Groenendaal, won the championship that year. The Dutch National Cyclo-cross Championships have also been held in Sint-Michielsgestel five times.
Notable People from Sint-Michielsgestel
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- Gerrit Braks (1933–2017) was a Dutch politician and expert in farming.
- Cas Wouters (born 1943) is a Dutch sociologist who studies how people behave in groups.
- Anneke van Giersbergen (born 1973) is a Dutch singer, songwriter, guitarist, and pianist. She was formerly part of the band The Gathering.
Sports Stars
- Ronald Jansen (born 1963) is a former field hockey goalkeeper. He won gold medals at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Kees Akerboom Jr. (born 1983) is a retired Dutch basketball player.
- Tom van Weert (born 1990) is a footballer who has played over 350 club games. He currently plays for A.E.K. Athens in Greece.
