Heusden (Netherlands)

Heusden is a historic municipality and a magnificent fortified town in the province of North Brabant, situated on the Bergsche Maas river. 

Heusden is nationally renowned for its unique, star-shaped fortifications (ramparts, bastions, and moats). Between 1968 and the 1980s, the town underwent a major restoration to return it to its 1649 state. 

For this achievement, the town received the European restoration award *Urbes Nostrae* in 1980. 

The town was granted city rights in the thirteenth century and was strategically located in the border region between Holland, Brabant, and Gelre. 

For centuries, it played a significant role as a garrison and fortified town (forming part of, among others, the Old Dutch Waterline and the Southern Waterline). 

The current merged municipality of Heusden comprises not only the fortified town itself but also larger population centers such as Drunen and Vlijmen.

 

Thanks to its charming historic streets, monumental buildings, marinas, and proximity to the Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park, Heusden attracts many tourists and day-trippers (it is also known as a "gallery town" due to its numerous art galleries).

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