The white village of Thorn is located in the municipality of Maasgouw in the heart of the province of Limburg. It is known for its characteristic white-painted buildings and narrow streets that date back to different periods of Dutch history. The history of Thorn is rich and fascinating, spanning a period of more than 1,000 years.
Thorn was a mini-principality for 800 years, where 33 princess abbesses ruled, it has become clear that women play an important role. The state had its own judiciary and minted its own currency. This came to an end with the arrival of the French in 1794.
Thorn suffered greatly under the French. The French introduced a tax based on the size of the windows. More windows in the house meant a higher tax. The poor population boarded up their windows to limit the tax bill. To hide the "scars of poverty", the houses were whitewashed.
When the province of Limburg was divided in 1839, Thorn remained part of the Netherlands.
During World War II, Thorn was liberated by the Belgian army on 25 September 1944.
What to see:
1.- Discover the white city, walking along the cobbled streets and white houses. Many
of Thorn's houses date back to the 16th or 17th century. In the second half of the 20th century, Thorn expanded with
a residential area to the north of the city. In 1973, Thorn's old town centre received
national recognition and was designated a protected urban landscape.
2.- The Gothic-style Thorn Abbey, dating from the 10th century (975) and towering above the white houses. The interior is baroque with an imposing high altar
Count Ansfried founded a monastery for Benedictines around 990. Ansfried's daughter, later called Benedicta in tradition, became the first abbess of this monastery. Thorn Abbey developed from the 12th century onwards into a secular monastery.
Only unmarried women of the high nobility were allowed to enter the Damesstift. Women of the order
who wanted to get married lived outside the monastery walls in their own houses. Many of the
houses of these Stiftdames have been preserved, such as the House of Drie Ballen from 1648. In the 18th century, the principality of Thorn became a stopping place for the very noble daughters of European imperial princes and counts. They were prepared to marry a man of rank.
3.- The Thorn Museum is a museum about local history and culture. It displays objects related to the history of the town of Thorn and the former noble church that stood there.
4.- Salm-Salm House, one of the oldest houses from the year 1630 at Hoogstraat 33, named after Princess Gabriëlla zu Salm-Salm (1720-1794), who became a "joffer" at the age of 14 and was for some time dean or prince of the Stift. From 1790 to 1794 she lived in this beautiful white-plastered building with a striking bell gable and beautiful stone mouldings around the windows and the front door. The building dates back to 1630 and was undoubtedly occupied by someone respected by the Stift before Princess Salm.
5.- The former beguinage in Thorn (Begijnen in Thorn ) is located in Kloosterberg 1. The beguinage
was located in a building dating back to 1772.
In reality, the beguines were employed by the nuns (nobles) of the abbey, for whom
they performed activities such as washing clothes, caring for the sick and praying for the repose of the souls of deceased nuns. They also rang the bells and helped with the religious services of the abbey.
6.- The Loretokapel Chapel from 1795, is located outside the center of Thorn. In 1673, Clara
Elisabeth, Countess of Manderscheidt Blankenheim, had the chapel built on the outskirts of Thorn
as a devotion to Mary. Now, more than 350 years later, the chapel can still be visited.
7.- The Kraekermolen is a former water mill in Thornerbeek, dating back to the 14th century.
8.- The surrounding area of Thorn is a popular tourist destination where visitors not only
enjoy the architecture and history of Thorn, but also the beautiful nature.
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20 окт 2024
