Baarlo

Artefact of Tajiri in Baarlo. Behind Castle d'Erp.

Baarlo (51°20′N 6°6′E / 51.333°N 6.100°E / 51.333; 6.100) (Limburgish: Baolder) is a town in the southeastern Netherlands. It is located in the municipality of Peel en Maas, Limburg, about 6 km southwest of Venlo.

In 2001, Baarlo had 5199 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 1.25 km², and contained 1912 residences.^[1]

Name and symbols

The oldest mention of the name Baarlo is from 1219.

The oldest certificate of the bank of Baarlo dates from 25 January 1377. In 1629 for the first time it used its own seal. The seal shows the Saint Peter, holding a key in his left hand and in his right hand three ropes carrying a shield, on which a stag is shown jumping to the left. At that time, the local lord, schout or pastor sealed the certificates.

History

Archeological excavations have shown that at the beginning of our calendar people already had settled in Baarlo. Later the Romans came; they built to Roman road between Tongeren and Nijmegen and Oyen (between Baarlo and Kessel).

In the 19th century the old church of Baarlo became too small, so the city decided to build a new one. Pierre Cuypers was the architect and the church was finished in 1878.

In 1932, the priest chancel and the cross of the church were extended by Joseph Frassen. In November 1944 the church was blown up by the Germans. A restoration was not possible. Therefore it was decided to build a new church. This work has been completed in 1955.

Castles

There are four castles in Baarlo. Castles d'Erp (has also has been called de Borcht), Berckt, and Raay were built in the 13th century. Castle Scheres was built about 1860 and is currently inhabited by the Japanese artist Shinkichi Tajiri.

References

1. ↑ Statistics Netherlands (CBS), Bevolkingskernen in Nederland 2001 . Statistics are for the continuous built-up area.