Wouw

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Map of former municipality Wouw

Wouw is a village between the cities Roosendaal and Bergen op Zoom . It is situated in the southern Netherlands in the province of North Brabant. It is close to the border with Belgium. The coordinates are 51°31′N, 4°23′E

Until 1997 Wouw was the seat of the municipality Wouw. The municipality consisted of the villages Wouw, Heerle, Wouwse Plantage and Moerstraten. Since 1997 Wouw is a part of Roosendaal.

In 2007 Wouw celbrated its 775 existence.

[edit] The castle of Wouw

Between Wouw and Heerle there used to be a castle. This castle is first mentioned in 1379 as "Het Huis te Woude". Which means: The House in Woude. (Woude=Wouw). It was a round castle surrounded by a body of water. This provided protection to its lord and its inhabitants. The grounds outside the castle were known to be very fertile and many farms were to be found there. The lord could see and thus supervise all the farmer's grounds from his castle. The lord had also a military role. For example, he fought in several battles.

Wouw

Location

Country: The Netherlands
Province: North Brabant
Coordinates: 51° 31' N.; 4° 23' E.

After the discovery of gunpowder the inhabitants of the castle wouldn't be safe anymore. The castle is one of the first castles which was strengthened by fortifications. During the Eighty Years' War the castle was captured several times. As a consequence the inhabitants eventually fled. The castle was inhabited from 1583 till 1594. Since then the castle has had many uses but eventually it slowly vanished.

Nowadays nothing much can be seen of the castle. Plants have been planted on the foundation of the castle so you can still see where some of the buildings were.

In 2007, when Wouw celebrates its 775th year of existence, people will try to dig up a part of the castle. A plan has already been made.