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Exhibition 1641 – Experience the Siege
At 1641 - Experience the Siege, you step right into an exciting piece of history in Gennep's old town hall. Free, surprisingly lively and full of stories from soldiers, farmers and Gennep people of the time.
Who is this a real getaway for?
This is the place for you if you love stories with a clear beginning and end. Perfect for an afternoon out together, for families with curious children, for history buffs and for anyone who wants to see Gennep in a different light. You really don’t need to be a history buff. If you like walking into a place and immediately wanting to understand what once happened there, this is the place for you.
When will you visit?
On a chilly afternoon, this really is such a nice stop. Just inside, away from wind or rain, and then get lost in stories of the past. But even on a sunny day, this place fits nicely into your route through Gennep. First a lap through the historic centre, then into the town hall. It all flows together very naturally here.
What to expect.
Here, you won’t just be reading dry dates, but immersing yourself in a story. In ‘1641 – Experience the Siege’, various characters take you back to the siege of the Genneper Huys, with personal stories, historical sources and archaeological finds. Did you know that admission to the exhibition is free? That certainly makes it very easy to pop in.
Feel free to set aside three quarters of an hour to an hour for your visit. That will give you plenty of time to take in the stories at your leisure and then have a stroll around Gennep afterwards. You’ll be on the ground floor of the old town hall, right in the historic heart of Gennep, amongst cosy streets and old façades. Parking is free in Gennep, although some areas are designated as blue zones. Convenient parking spots nearby include Martinushof, De Poel and Melkstraatje.
When are you welcome?
You’re welcome here from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 to 16.30 and on Sundays from 12.30 to 16.30. These are the sort of times when you can easily pop in whilst spending a day in Gennep.
Our tip for your visit
Combine your visit with a short walk through the centre of Gennep. Precisely because you walk straight on past old places and stories after the exhibition outside, everything sticks just a little bit more. So start in the town hall and walk on afterwards.
Region tip: The icon in the neighbourhood
Combine this exhibition with De Maasduinen National Park. That combination is a winner. First, you’ll immerse yourself in a siege steeped in history, then you’ll head out into the open spaces of one of North Limburg’s great icons. It’s precisely this contrast that works so well here: first, stories in the heart of Gennep, then fresh air, dunes and heathland.
History on your doorstep in the heart of Gennep
4.5
The exhibition ‘1641 – Experience the Siege’ brings the history of the Genneper Huys to life in an accessible and personal way. In Gennep’s old town hall, you’ll be transported back to the Eighty Years’ War, when Frederick Henry of Orange laid siege to the castle.
A particular strength is that the exhibition not only recounts major historical events, but also gives a voice to the stories of soldiers, farmers, monks and the people of Gennep. Historical sources, prints, paintings and archaeological finds lend the exhibition extra depth. This makes the story feel very close to home, especially as you’re visiting it in Gennep itself.
Frequently asked questions
The exhibition is on display in Gennep’s old town hall. The venue is situated in the centre of Gennep and brings the history of the Genneper Huys to life close to the very spot where that history unfolded.
Yes, the exhibition ‘1641 – Experience the Siege’ is free to visit. You therefore do not need a paid museum ticket for this exhibition organised by the Limburgs Museum and the Municipality of Gennep.
The exhibition focuses on the Genneper Huys, a former castle that played a significant role during the Eighty Years’ War. In 1641, this castle was besieged by Frederick Henry of Orange, an event that had a major impact on soldiers, farmers, monks and the people of Gennep.
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