Thorn, the white town. Thorn – referred to as the witte stadje or ‘white town’ – evolved from an abbey into the capital of a pocket-sized, independent principality. For more than 800 years, it was ruled by women of noble birth, headed by a princess-abbess. This bastion of matriarchal rule, which had its own mint, its own small army and its own rule of law, survived intact until the arrival of the French at the end of the 18th century. Traces of its princely past can still be found in many places today.
The historic heart of the town is a listed monument. Savour the atmosphere of bygone days as you stroll through the picturesque streets and alleyways with their white houses and the characteristic cobbled paving. The impressive, beautifully restored Abbey Church should not be missed.
Wessem, an alluring village; A stone throw away from Thorn lies Wessem, a typical village of the region, whose early beginnings were documented as far back as the 10th century. Wessem is characterised by many striking buildings with beautiful facades dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. They call to mind times when the River Maas was used as a major trading route. The extent of the market square provides an indication of how important Wessem really was as a place of trade and commerce. In 1118, Wessem was awarded various rights which equated to a town charter, and various legal and other official documents refer to the Town of Wessem.
Below the guided tour of Wessem:
Guided Tour Wessem 4: Historic heart of Wessem
Town trail through the historic heart of Wessem – 1 hour
Fee: € 55
for groups of up to 20 persons.
for larger groups the services of an additional guide will be engaged.