Heusden

Heusden is a municipality and a metropolis within the South of the Netherlands. It is located between the towns Waalwijk and 's-Hertogenbosch. The municipality of Heusden, inclusive of Herpt, Heesbeen, Hedikhuizen, Doeveren, and Oudheusden, merged with Drunen and Vlijmen in 1997, giving the municipality its cutting-edge form. The agreement of Heusden at the river Meuse began with the development of a fortification to update the castle destroyed with the aid of the Duke of Brabant in 1202. This fortification become fast increased with water works and a donjon. The town of Heusden received town rights in 1318.

Heusden's fortress had belonged to successive dukes of Brabant; in 1357 it surpassed into the arms of the counts of Holland. Ramparts and moats had been constructed, bringing the citadel in the city's fortifications and bring about the loss of its characteristic as a stronghold. The donjon was then used as a munition depot. On 24 July 1680, a terrible thunderstorm hit Heusden, and lightning struck the donjon. Sixty thousand kilos of gunpowder and different ammunition exploded, destroying the citadel. It took seven weeks to clear the rubble and particles. The citadel changed into by no means absolutely rebuilt. However, outlines of the principle functions were restored in 1987.