Baarle-Hertog, Border municipality in Antwerp Province, Belgium
Baarle-Hertog is a Belgian municipality inside the Dutch province of North Brabant, made up of 26 separate territories, some containing just a few houses. These pieces lie entirely within the Netherlands and form a maze of boundaries that run through streets, gardens, and even individual buildings.
The division arose from medieval agreements between the Lords of Breda and the Dukes of Brabant, who distributed land and rights in a complex manner. The current border was officially established in 1843, largely preserving the old ownership patterns.
The name derives from a medieval division between two lordships that remains visible in daily life today. Residents sometimes change countries when crossing a street, and houses can stand in both nations at once, allowing inhabitants to choose which nationality they prefer.
Metal markers embedded in pavement show where the border runs and help with navigation between the two legal systems. Most shops accept euros and the usual payment methods from both countries, so visitors need not worry about the exact location while shopping.
During World War I, the municipality offered an escape route for Belgians because German forces could not enter the neutral Dutch areas. Some houses were built so that their entrance lay in the Netherlands while the back door opened directly into Belgium.
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