The best traffic-free bike rides around Aalten

The geological gem in the Winterswijk National Landscape is the quarry in Ratum. The quarry has been in operation since the 1930s.

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT ORIGINAL PARISH 1316-1597: Until 1326, the Lordship of Bredevoort was a Westphalian bailiwick within the Upper Diocese of Münster. Catholics attended St. George's Church (today's Sint-Joriskerk) on the MARKET, which was elevated to parish church status in 1535. It was dedicated to Saint George and owes its name to the patron saint of the bailiwicks of Bredevoort, Saint George, who slew the dragon. REFORMATION PERIOD 1597-1675: Through the Treaty of Venlo, Bredevoort—like the entire Duchy of Guelders—became part of the Spanish Netherlands in 1543. During the Eighty Years' War, troops led by Maurice of Orange attacked Bredevoort in 1591 and besieged the town. With the subsequent introduction of the Reformation in 1597, the Roman Catholic inhabitants were no longer permitted to hold religious services. CHAPEL OF THE CROSS, 1675-1798: From 1675 onward, they secretly used the Chapel of the Cross, located just across the border. The Bishop of Münster, Bernhard von Galen, had it built specifically for the Catholics from Aalten and Bredevoort. PREVENTION CHURCH, 1798-1876: With the French invasion in 1795, the Batavian Republic was founded in Bredevoort, and freedom of religion was reinstated. In 1798, the Catholics began building a Roman Catholic church. This church stood between Koppelstraat and Officierstraat (opposite the present-day church). It consisted of two houses whose roofs had been removed and whose walls subsequently raised. The altar was made of brick, and everything was painted white to give the building a sacred appearance. ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH 1875/76: After the previous building had become too small, the architect Alfred Tepe designed this church in the Neo-Gothic style in 1875. The construction manager was Father A.E. Smorenburg. In 1876, it was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and its patron saint is Saint George.

St. George's Church at Koppelstraat/Kerkstraat 16 in Bredevoort was built on the curtain wall between two former bastions, which is why it still stands slightly higher than the surrounding streets. It was built in the Neo-Gothic style and designed in 1875 by the architect Alfred Tepe, after a house converted into a church had become too small. The construction manager was Father A.E. Smorenburg. The church was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1876. Its patron saint is St. George. (Source: Information panel at the church) The first 100,000 bricks for the new church came from Barlo, Germany, and were transported by parishioners in wheelbarrows to demonstrate their solidarity with the Dutch Catholics. The remaining bricks were presumably fired in the brick kiln in De Haart. In 1897, the church received a clock and three bells; in 1898, Felice Monasso from Bocholt laid a terrazzo floor, and Muermans & Son from Roermond painted the walls, including a depiction of Christ and the Apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Source: Wikipedia)

St. George's Church on Koppelstraat was built on the curtain wall between two former bastions, which is why it still stands somewhat higher than the surrounding streets. This makes it visible from afar and offers a good view. It was built in 1875 in the Neo-Gothic style and designed by the architect Alfred Tepe, after a house converted into a church had become too small.

Small bridge over the Beurszerbeek

A great route of the bicycle path

A wonderfully quiet, car-free cycle path that takes you through beautiful green surroundings.

Beautiful windmill that is still in use. GREAT