Geertruidenberg, town in Geertruidenberg, the Netherlands
Geertruidenberg is a small town in the Dutch province of North Brabant, sitting at a bend in the Donge River. Its old center is made up of a stone market square, narrow streets, the Gothic Geertruidskerk, and remnants of former defensive walls and waterways.
The town received its first city rights in 1213 from Count William I, making it the earliest town in the area that would later become Holland. In the 14th century, walls and bastions were added to protect its position along key waterways.
The name of the town comes from Saint Gertrudis, who according to tradition established an early church on this site. On the old market square, locals and visitors sit outside small cafés under trees and watch the slow pace of daily life go by.
The town is easy to reach by bus or car from nearby cities such as Breda and Dordrecht. The narrow streets and old buildings are best explored on foot or by bicycle, and the Biesbosch area just outside town is also reachable by bike.
The town was so well known for salmon fishing in the Middle Ages that a salmon was added to its coat of arms. This detail is still visible on the coat of arms today and can be spotted on the town hall or in local publications.
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