Bergeyk

The first mention of settlements in this area dates back to 1137, when the community was called Eha , and in the 16th century Eikelberge . Many are inclined to believe that the origin of the name refers to the pagan cult of tree worship , in our case the oak tree . The area in which the present-day Bergeck is located has been inhabited since the Stone Age , as evidenced by many archaeological finds, for example, many mounds . Many studies have been carried out by amateur archaeologist Petrus Panken . The documentary mention of the village dates back to 1137, when it appeared on the list for trade in goods between the cities of Bergeik and Liege . The estate was originally owned by the Van Eijk family and later by the duke of Brabant. All the churches of the surrounding villages were subordinated to the Church of St. Peter at Bergeika ( Sint-Petruskerk ), but gradually gained independence for the parishes . Around the year 1000, the village already had a wooden church, which was later replaced with a lined volcanic tuff . As for cities in the Netherlands, they flourished in the 10th-12th centuries. In 1331, Jean III (duke of Brabant), granted the liberties and privileges of the city for the inhabitants of Bergeika and Westerhoven. In the Middle Ages, the city ​​was officially considered a settlement, which received from the authorities the status of a city, secured by special certificates, having external attributes - walls, moat, fortifications, many streets, residents, town hall, cathedral, churches, large buildings, port, markets, administrative institutions, authorities, street crowd. ^[2] This right was confirmed in 1544 by Emperor Charles V. Bergeyk, Westerhoven, Reytoven in 1468 received the right to independently choose elders , however, later Karl the Brave gained the right to appoint his own elders. There is information about the castle near the village. In 1587, the castle was destroyed by the Eighty Years War . The ruins could be found until the XIX century. In 1648, the preaching of the Catholic religion was forbidden and for a long time the Catholics were forced to attend frontier churches in territories that did not belong to the General States of the Dutch Republic. However, in 1798, the churches were returned to the Catholics, and by 1812, Protestants and Catholics had their own separate churches. In the XIX century, the city Bergeyk was represented by the production of metal utensils, dairy and weaving products (the latter was abolished in 2007 and since then weaving products are found only at local exhibitions).

Location and terrain

Entirely, the territory of the Netherlands can be divided into two areas: low and flat land in the west and north, and land with small hills in the east and south. Bergeyk refers to the second option. Vast territories lie in the foothills of the Ardennes . The Ardennes are the western tip of the Rhine Shale Mountains . Like most of the land of the Netherlands, Bergeik is entirely flat territory, but being far above sea level, it does not allow to build as many channels as in the rest of the country. The territory is mostly covered with forests, which, despite human activity, does not decrease. On the territory passes the river Meuse . The climate is temperate, cool summer and mild winter. In the south it borders with Belgium .

Geological structure

In the area of ​​the Maas Delta, alluvial deposits , as well as limestones , marls and chalk , the Late Mesozoic, Paleogene and Neogene, are associated with deposits of black and brown coal. ^[3]

Topography

Museums

• Het Eicha Museum is a museum of the distant past from the field of archeology. Presented by archaeological objects from prehistoric times to the times of the Middle Ages . There are items of ancient hunters, made of deer horns, bones. The museum is located in the building of the Teutenhuis Visitor Center , Domineestraat. The center also provides information on the possibility of visiting the mounds of the region.
• The small museum Pankenmuseum is located on ul. Akkermuntstraat. The expositions are represented by the heritage of amateur archaeologist Petrus Panken . Pre-registration is required to visit the museum.
• The Fietsenmuseum is a private museum with more than 100 bicycles, as exhibits. Pre-registration is required to visit the museum.
• Museum de Sigarenmaker is a museum that has the status of National and International. Located in the Teutenhuis building, it covers the history of Kempenstreek manual cigar production . Open every day except Sunday: by appointment only.

Archeology

• About four were restored mounds aged 1350 years before Christ.

Windmills

• Standerdmolen - windmill in Bergeik. The oldest record, which mentions the presence of the mill, dates back to 1330, but the current mill was built in the 18th century, probably only in 1758. In 1897, it was struck by lightning, after which it was disabled. Since 1955, the mill has become the property of the municipality of Bergeik. In 1970 she was re-commissioned. In the following decades, the steel components of the mill became unusable. In 2003, the production at the mill was stopped because the condition of the blades became unusable. In 2005, the mill was restored and its state imitates the beginning of the XX century.

Religious buildings

• Sint-Petrus' Bandenkerk of Hofkerk is a Gothic cruciform temple without towers, but with small vaults. The temple is preserved in its original form and has not been rebuilt since 1650.
• The Protestant Kirche Napoleonskerk , made in the neo-classical style. Erected by architect Peter Willems ( Pieter Willems ) from the city of Bergeyk. In the church there is a mechanical organ, made in the neo-baroque style in 1963, according to the design of the Van Vulpen brothers from Utrecht . The building was in 1991, restored, and then there are also two stained glass windows inserted. Kirch Napoleonskerk is a national monument.
• The Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Brabant , near the courthouse, built in 1934, designed by Josephus (Jos.) Henricus Antonius Bedaux with the team of the Student Guild of Brabant (youth Catholic organization). In 1957, a stone statue of the Virgin Mary was installed in place of a previously existing plaster frame.

• Tommie van der Leegte is a professional footballer. He played for the teams: PSV , Valwijk , Twente , ADO Den Haag , Wolfsburg , NAC Breda .

• Administrative division of the Netherlands

• The team of authors. World history in 10 volumes. Volume 3. - History, Encyclopedias. - Politizdat. M: 1957.
• Svanidze A. A. (ed.). City in the medieval civilization of Western Europe. T. 4. City, society, state. - Science, History. - 2000. - ISBN 5-02-010184-2

• The official website of the city Bergeyk
• Standerdmolen - Bergeuk Windmill
• Sint-Petrus' Bandenkerk of Hofkerk Official Website