Brielle

Brielle ( listen? / I ) or Den Briel, is a Dutch town and comune of the province of South Holland.

History

Den Briel was taken on April 1, 1572 by Dutch freedom fighters as the first city ever. It was for the Geuzen advantageous that the city was occupied relatively weak at this time. While they asked to be let before the north gate, could penetrate unmolested a second compartment through the south gate. According to the original plan to plunder the city, and then on fire, finally decided to get the place. Every year on April 1, the liberation of Brielle is celebrated. The " 1 -Apr - club " keeps the tradition alive. Residents of Brielle play in historical costumes the game " To the keys to the city ". The capture of the town is the harbor, access to Brielse Maas represented by the Beggars.

The centenary celebrations are national festivals with royal participation. In particular, for the celebration of 1872 an enormous effort has been. The celebration in 1922 broke the usual boundaries. The central theme of the centenary celebrations is the fact that Brielle was the first town liberated by the Watergeuzen. The Latin heraldic motto Libertatis Primitiae ( German: firstfruits of freedom = the first Liberated ) points out. This event plays an important role in the development of the Dutch government and in the history of the Princely House of Orange.

Attractions

The St. Catharijnekerk was planned as the largest church in the Netherlands. Construction began in 1417, due to the great fire in 1456 and the lack of money the church was never completed. Today it is home to the Protestant Church in the Netherlands.
Sint Jacobskerk, late Gothic church from the 15th century. Originally chapel of St. James Hospital.