Katwijk (Brabant-Septentrional)

Katwijk is a village Dutch commune of Cuijk in the North-East of the province of the Brabant-Septentrional on left bank of the Meuse. The January 2005, Katwijk counts 502 inhabitants.

Administration

About 1813, with the formation of the communes of the young person Kingdom of the Netherlands, Katwijk forms with Groot-Linden and Klein-Linden the old commune of Linden. When in 1942 Groot-Linden and Gassel are annexed by the old commune of Beers, Klein-Linden and Katwijk choose the old commune of Cuijk in Sint Agatha, which in 1994 appendix of other villages and takes the name of Cuijk.

The parish

Katwijk and Klein-Linden fall under the parish from Cuijk. But the winter, time of believed of the Meuse, one is cut of Cuijk. Thus, Katwijk wants to become independent parish. Thing not easy. A first request for funds to the civil government goes back to 1840. One obtains the permission of a vicar for the vault of Klein-Linden in 1844; in 1855 Katwijk a ground for the presbytery buys; in 1858 évêché its permission for a church gives; one does not fall from agreement on the site; that delays the attribution of funds, which arrives only in 1879; one sets up the parish in 1880; the first stone for the St.Martin church is posed in 1881 and the consacration is in 1884. The first priest builds a facsimile of the cave of Lourdes and succeeds in to make a place of pilgrimage of it. This cave is always visited.

The old Middenweert island

The history of Katwijk is related to old an island in the Meuse between Katwijk and Mook, named Middenweert or Everdineweerd , according to a Lady owner of the island. The island was accessible to ford from with dimensions from Katwijk by the arm of Meuse called De Strang , while the boats passed between the island and Mook. The island knew its day of glory in 1674. Grave was occupied by the French. To prepare the reconquest, the Dutchmen settled in the island to intercept the provisions going with Grave. The French sent troops which were warmly awaited: they leave there 60 dead in addition to 20 drowned. When in 1882 one equalizes the island for the construction of the railroad Nijmegen - Venlo, one finds a common grave gone back to this year. The island does not exist any more; one cleared it in 1939 to fill De Strang .

Katwijklinie, on May 10th, 1940

In the years 1930, the Meuse, natural line of defense, was strengthened of Nimègue to Roermond with casemates. The Katwijklinie was one of the six sections of this Maaslinie . May 10th 1940, the Germany begins the attack of the Netherlands. This day the Germans open fire on Katwijklinie as of 5.30 H of the morning. Their efforts to pass the Meuse are pushed back three times, but into the afternoon, the casemates fall and 22 defenders find death. Their names are on the memorial with Katwijk. Twelve of the casemates with Katwijk and Cuijk are safeguarded and declared historic buildings.

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