The best traffic-free bike rides around Lichtenvoorde

The former raised bog between Woold (NL) and Burlo-Vardingholt (DE) was formed in the last 5000 years. The peat was removed in the 19th and 20th centuries. Little remained of the original raised bog. Today, "Natuurmonumenten" (NL) and the district of Borken (DE) are working together on the renaturation of the European Natura 2000 area. The first results are already visible. Frogs, toads, and salamanders live in the newly formed ponds. Peat moss is growing again and sundew is coloring the ground reddish in places. At the Kuipersweg hiking parking lot in Winterswijk-Woold, there is an information sign that guided tours with a ranger/forester are offered in the Achterhoek. (www.nm.nl/agenda)

The current mill was originally built in 1851 by E. Postel near “De Diepe Put” on the Zwiepse Berg near Barchem. Afterwards, the mill was moved a few times due to unfavorable wind conditions: – In 1880 the mill was erected at its current location. – In 1967 the mill was restored.

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)

RESTAURANT VAN HAL The Van Hal Restaurant in Voorst (Achterhoek) was founded in 1905 as a café by Jannes van Hal next to the grain mill built in 1866. The brand became famous for its "half chickens," introduced in the early 1950s by Riek and Frans van Hal, of which more than 1 million have now been sold. A large bronze rooster sculpture stands as a symbol next to the entrance. 1905: Johannes (Jannes) van Hal obtained a license to sell spirits and opened a café on the grounds of the farm and mill. 1950s: Riek and Frans van Hal began serving their famous half chickens. 1958: This success led to official recognition as a restaurant. 1952: After the mill closed, and 1964: after the bakery closed, these premises were added to the restaurant. 2017: Owner Caspar van Hal (grandson of Riek and Frans van Hal), Grensweg 13 in Voorst, is still known today for its friendly Achterhoek atmosphere, and the famous half-chickens are still on the menu. Van Hal is a classic example of an Achterhoek restaurant that originated from a farm and a mill. (Source: "de lengendarische haantjes van van Hal": November 17, 2017) GRAIN MILL 1866/1899/2010: The associated grain mill was built in 1866 and operated by Jannes van Hal from 1899. After being damaged in the war, it was dismantled in 1957 but rebuilt and renovated in 2010.

VOORST GRAIN MILL In 1866, Willem Stapelbroek had a grain mill built near his farm, "Klein Immink." His son, Bernard, was the first miller. In 1899, Johannes Hermanus (Jannus) van Hal took over the mill and married Stapelbroek's heiress that same year. The mill was severely damaged in the war in 1945 and subsequently shut down. Milling continued in the adjacent barn using electrically powered millstones. After the now dilapidated mill was further damaged by a lightning strike in the 1950s, the cap and sails were removed for safety reasons. Following the establishment of the "Grain Mill Voorst" Foundation in 1999, the first steps toward restoring the mill were taken. On November 27, 2010, the restored mill was officially reopened by Trees van Hal-Knaven and Bertus van Hal, the great-grandson of Willem Stapelbroek. (Source: Information sign at the mill; www.korenmolenvoorst.nl) RESTAURANT VAN HAL The Van Hal Restaurant in Voorst (Achterhoek) was founded in 1905 as a café by Jannes van Hal next to the grain mill built in 1866. The brand became famous for its "half chickens," introduced in the early 1950s by Riek and Frans van Hal, of which more than 1 million have now been sold. A large bronze rooster sculpture stands as a symbol next to the entrance.

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.