Ravenstein is a historical city and municipality in Noord-Brabant, which governed itself as an independent country until annexed by Revolutionary France 1794.
Understand
[edit]Ravenstein was founded in 1360 by Walraven van Valkenburg, a vasal of the Duke of Brabant. He founded a castle by the river Meuse, which allowed for tolls to be charged for goods crossing the river Meuse. Around the castle, the little town of Ravenstein popped up. Reinout van Valkenburg, Walraven's half-brother, granted said town city rights in 1380. The Van Valkenburgs lost a battle with nearby Cleves, after which the town became a Clevian possession. In 1399, the town hosted negotiations between Brabant and Guelders.
The city was fortified in 1509 with bulwarks and bastions in 1509. These were demanded to be town down by Charles V in 1543. Only the city gates managed to evade demolition. After the Duke of Cleves and Jüllich died without heirs in 1609, Brandenburg eventually laid claim to the town and its surrounding lands. Defence of the possession was outsourced to its ally, Holland. The town largely followed Hollandic laws by this time, with one of its two Catholic churches being demolished, and the other repurposed as a Protestant church, as Catholicism was forbidden in the Low Countries during this time. The town once again was fortified during this time as well.
In 1630 ownership changed again, this time to the house Pfalz-Neuburg. In 1641, a special garrison church was erected for the Hollandic garrison. Ravenstein never became a part of the Dutch Republic though, and its freedom of religion was re-established after a while, attracting fleeing Catholics and non-Protestant people from the Low Countries in the process. After the French invaded in 1672, the city's fortifications once again were destroyed.
Occupation by Revolutionary France in 1794 ended Ravenstein's self-governance. The land was sold to the Batavian Repubic (as The Netherlands were called at the time) in 1800, and later became a proper part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands after Napoleon's defeat. The castle of Ravenstein was demolished shortly after in 1818. Ravenstein flourished once more in the second half of the 19th century. In 1874 the railway bridge across the river Meuse was built, which attracted new industry.
Get in
[edit]Ravenstein is located on the river Meuse, which forms the border between Noord-Brabant and Gelderland.
By car
[edit]Ravenstein has a dedicated exit on the A50 highway. From Arnhem, take the A50 southbound towards Nijmegen and Eindhoven. Follow this highway until Bankhoef Interchange, where the A326 splits off towards Wijchen and Nijmegen. Stay on the A50, crossing the Meuse. The first exit after the river crossing serves Ravenstein. By turning left on the roundabout, and right on the next roundabout, you head to the historical city centre. From 's-Hertogenbosch, use the A59 towards Oss. Once being south of Oss, stay on the highway, which merges into the A50 at Paalgraven interchange. After passing De Gagel service station, the next exit serves Ravenstein. Turn left twice once leaving the highway to follow the Dorpenweg into Ravenstein. Turning right at the second roundabout sets you up to drive towards the historical city centre.
By train
[edit]Ravenstein has a train station that is served by Sprinter services between Nijmegen and Dordrecht (originating from Arnhem instead of Nijmegen during weekdays). Fast Intercity services also run on this line, but do not call at Ravenstein. You can switch from Intercities between Zwolle and Roosendaal onto a Sprinter at 's-Hertogenbosch, Oss and Nijmegen. From Amsterdam Centraal, this journey takes about 90 to 100 minutes via 's-Hertogenbosch.
By boat
[edit]Ravenstein has a marina along the Maasdijk, located by the ferry crossing between Ravenstein and Niftrik. A site in the marina can only be reserved by calling the harbour master of Windkracht 13. Amenities such as water, power, toilets and showers are available.
- 1 Watersportvereniging Windkracht 13, Maasdijk, ☏ +31 642 439 839.
Get around
[edit]
Ravenstein is small enough to be able to get around on foot. The main parking lot for visitors is located on Bleek, just on the edge of the city centre. From the train station, the edge of the city centre is just shy of a kilometre away. Bike rentals (OV-Fiets) are available from the train station, but only usable using an OV-Chipkaart.
See
[edit]- Remnants of Ravenstein's defence works can be found around the city in various states of preservation.
- 1 Maaspoort (Meuse Gate), Marktstraat. A narrow passage through a building which allows for access from the city centre to the river Meuse.
- 2 Kasteelsepoort (Castle's Gate), Kasteelseplaats. The last remnant of the Ravenstein Castle, which was demolished in 1818. The gate has been incorporated into a house, with the road passing straight through the building.
- 3 Ramparts, Along the Maasstraat, by the Van Coothweg and the Walstraat. These two ramparts resurfaced in 1997, and were part of the city's 16th century defence works. They have been restored in form, and each adorned with a cannon cast in Liège. Several times per year, these are used for salutes.
Do
[edit]- Guided walking tour (Stadswandeling), St. Luciastraat 2, ☏ +31 636 000 252, [email protected]. Every month's second Sunday, starting at 14:00. The historical centre of Ravenstein is filled with monument-listed buildings that encapsulate the city's past. Every second Sunday of the month, the local Historical Society organises guided walking tours around the city, taking an hour and a half, visiting many of its key sights. These tours start from the Toeristisch Informatiepunt at 14:00. €4.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Wilskracht (Stadsbrouwerij Ravenstein), Molensingel 6, ☏ +31 621 545 389. Local beer brewing company with a product line of nine beers on their own label and a handful of collaborations with other labels.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Restaurant Versaen, Marktstraat 19, ☏ +31 486 851 565, [email protected]. Tu: 18:00-0:00; Th-Su: 12:00-16:00, 18:00-0:00. The fine dining option, located in the middle of the city centre. €70+.
- 2 Donato's Gewoon Bijzonder, Sint Luciastraat 2, ☏ +31 486 416 868, [email protected]. Su-Tu: 10:00-17:00; W-Sa: 10:00-23:30. Italian restaurant and lunchroom, which also has a small shop specialising in Italian food items. €44.
- 3 Tante Es Borrelbistro, Marktstraat 16, ☏ +31 648 239 327. M: 16:00-21:00; Th: 16:00-22:00; F-Sa: 16:00-0:00; Su: 14:00-21:00. Burgundian dining.
- 4 Brass aan de Maas, Maasdijk 33, ☏ +31 486 245 800, [email protected]. Tu-Su: 11:00-0:00.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel-Restaurant Stadsherberg de Keurvorst, Marktstraat 14, ☏ +31 486 411 371, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00. €100.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]Noord-Brabant has multiple fortified cities that for much of their history were independent states. Ravenstein is part of a cluster of such cities found along the river Meuse, with those other cities being Grave, Cuijk and Boxmeer.
Nearby Nijmegen, on the other side of the river Meuse, lays claim to being one of the oldest cities of the Netherlands, having been founded as an oppidum in Roman times. Nowadays, the city has a young character due to its many university students.
Deeper into Noord-Brabant lies 's-Hertogenbosch, or Den Bosch for short. Once a formidable stronghold of the Duchy of Brabant, the city today is the capital of the province.