Vught
Netherlands·Active municipality, with parts of former camp preserved as a memorial and operational prison.·11th century
Vught is a municipality and town in the North Brabant province of the Netherlands, located south of 's-Hertogenbosch. Historically, it was first mentioned in the eleventh century and later became a significant site during the Eighty Years' War and World War II, notably as the location of the Herzogenbusch concentration camp, also known as Kamp Vught. Today, Vught is known for its residential appeal, with parts of the former camp serving as a memorial and a high-security prison.
Key Facts
- ›First mentioned in historical records in the eleventh century.
- ›Granted the right of municipality by the Duke of Brabant in 1328.
- ›Site of significant conflict during the Eighty Years' War.
- ›Location of the Nazi concentration camp Herzogenbusch (Kamp Vught) during World War II.
- ›The former camp site now includes a national monument and a high-security prison (PI Vught).
- Ijzeren Man Lake
- Maurick Castle
- Bredero Barracks
- Loonse En Drunense Duinen National Park
- National Monument and Memorial At Former Kamp Vught
- Pi Vught
Kamp Vught
William of Orange, Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, Corrie Ten Boom, Betsie Ten Boom, Poncke Princen, Ewald Marggraff, Alexander Gogel, Frans Teulings, Anton De Kom, Damiaen Joan Van Doorninck, Edy Korthals Altes, Ad Geelhoed, Martinus Theodorus Van Genuchten, Jeroen Oerlemans, Erna Spoorenberg, Misha Geller, Joost Prinsen, Mina Witteman, Maarten Van Der Vleuten, Jan-Hein Arens, Tonny Van Lierop, Harry Schulting, Pierre Hermans, Simon Tahamata, Bas De Bever, Martijn Bok, Vincent Kortbeek, Paul Beekmans, Koen Van De Laak, Wouter Van Der Steen, Indy De Vroome, Samir Azzouz, Mohammed Bouyeri, Willem Holleeder, Johan Verhoek, Curtis Warren, Ridouan Taghi
- First Recorded Mention In the 11th Century
- Granting of Municipality Rights In 1328
- Struggles During the Eighty Years' War
- Victory of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, In 's-Hertogenbosch In 1629
- Construction and Operation of Kamp Vught During World War Ii
- Liberation By Canadian Troops At the End of World War Ii
- Use of the Former Camp As A Prison For Germans and Collaborators Post-Wwii
- Adaptation of Barracks To House Indonesian Moluccan Exiles
- Development of Pi Vught From 1953
About Vught
Vught is a municipality and town situated in the Province of North Brabant in the southern Netherlands, located just south of the larger city of 's-Hertogenbosch. Its recorded history stretches back to the eleventh century, and by the fourteenth century, it had become a commandery of the Teutonic Order. The town was granted municipal rights in 1328 by the Duke of Brabant.
Historical Significance
During the Eighty Years' War, Vught was a strategic location marked by clashes between Catholic interests and the forces of William of Orange. A significant and somber chapter in Vught's history is its role during World War II as the site of Kamp Vught (Herzogenbusch), a transit and concentration camp established by Nazi Germany. This camp held numerous prisoners, including Jewish individuals and political activists, and witnessed severe atrocities, such as the punishment of 74 women that resulted in ten deaths. Notable figures like Corrie and Betsie ten Boom were imprisoned there before being transferred to Ravensbrück.
Post-War and Modern Era
Following World War II, the camp grounds were initially used to hold German prisoners and collaborators. Subsequently, some barracks were repurposed to accommodate Indonesian Moluccan exiles. Since 1953, a portion of the former detention camp has operated as a correctional facility, now known as PI Vught, a maximum-security prison housing high-profile inmates. Parts of the former camp have been preserved as a national monument, serving as a memorial to the victims of the Nazi occupation.
Landmarks and Features
Beyond its wartime history, Vught is known for its natural and historical landmarks. The IJzeren Man lake, created between 1890 and 1915 for sand extraction, is now a recreational area. Maurick Castle, dating back to the 13th century, once served as a headquarters for Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, during the siege of 's-Hertogenbosch and now houses a restaurant. The municipality also encompasses parts of the Loonse en Drunense Duinen national park. The town was recognized as the 'Best place to live' by the Dutch magazine Elsevier in 2004.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Vught first recorded in history?
The earliest mention of Vught in historical records dates back to the eleventh century. By the fourteenth century, the Teutonic Order had established a presence there.
What was the significance of Vught during the Eighty Years' War?
During the Eighty Years' War, Vught was a site of conflict between Catholic factions and the troops of William of Orange. Following the victory of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, in 's-Hertogenbosch in 1629, the Saint Lambert Church in Vught became a Reformed Protestant church.
What was Kamp Vught during World War II?
Kamp Vught, also known as Herzogenbusch, was a transit and concentration camp built by Nazi Germany during its occupation of the Netherlands. It held male and female prisoners, many of whom were Jewish or political activists.
What is the current status of the former Kamp Vught site?
After World War II, parts of the former camp were used as a prison for Germans and collaborators. Today, a portion of the camp is preserved as a national monument commemorating the Nazi occupation, while another part has been developed into PI Vught, a high-security prison.
What are some notable landmarks in or near Vught?
Notable landmarks include the IJzeren Man lake, named after the machine that dug it, and Maurick Castle, which dates back to the 13th century and was once occupied by Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange. The Bredero barracks, housing the Ministry of Defence's CBRN defense training center, is also located in Vught.
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