Page 337 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

NOR THERN AND EASTERN NE THERLANDS  335

GELDERLAND

Gelderland is the Netherland’s largest province. Its name
derives from the 11th-century county of Gelre, which
was linked with the town of Geldern, just over the
border in Germany. The town was the fiefdom of Gerard
de Rossige, whose grandson Gerard II of Wassenberg
pronounced himself Count of Gelre in 1104.

Succeeding counts skilfully expanded that welcome visitors throughout the
their territory to include the Veluwe region province. In more recent times, the region,
to the north, the Betuwe in the southwest and especially the strategically located
and the county of Zutphen (see p345). towns of Arnhem and Nijmegen, saw
When, in 1248, the imperial town of heavy fighting towards the end of World
Nijmegen was annexed, Gelre became a War II. The heroic action at Arnhem is
power to be reckoned with. A number of its remembered in the town’s Airborne
towns joined the Hanseatic League, and in Museum, while the museum in Nijmegen
1339 the county was promoted to a duchy recalls this town’s long history from
by the German emperor. The increasing pre-Roman times to the tyranny of the
power of the Habsburgs threatened the Holy Roman Empire.
independence of the Gelders, eventually While visitors can enjoy many modern
leading to the duke having to cede the attractions, perhaps Gelderland’s greatest
territory in 1543 to Charles V. Gelderland asset is its contrasting natural scenery,
thus became part of the Netherlands. which ranges from heaths and woodlands
This colourful history is manifest in the north to the beautiful Betuwe river
today in the number of medieval buildings, valley and the pretty agricultural region
churches, castles and fortified towns of the Achterhoek.

A 17th-century granary near Winterswijk
A glimpse into the old Dutch city of Nijmegen

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