Sint Joost

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Sint Joost
Country	Netherlands
Province	Limburg
Area	? km²
- Land	? km²
- Water	? km²
Population (2006)	997
- Density	unknown/km²

Sint Joost is a small village in the municipality of Echt-Susteren.

[edit] History

13th Century - The village of Sint Joost comes into being as a small settlement around a former cloister ("Caulitenklooster").

1730-1780 The area of Sint Joost is frequently raided by the so-called "Goat riders" (Bokkenrijders). As the legend goes this gang of ruthless robbers and murderers made a pact with Satan and rode on the back of goats, their hoofs never touching the ground! The Kloosterhof in Sint Joost was used for new members to be sworn in by the gang.

1945 On 20th and 21st January 1945 the village is virtually completely destroyed during the liberation by the British troops during Operation Blackcock.