"Bladel, the village that my father was born" Bladel by Pavlik_NL

Bladel Travel Guide: 10 reviews and 18 photos

My heritage in a Northern Brabant village

In the Southern part of Northern Brabant, just some kilometres from the Belgian border, Bladel is a typical village of the "Kempen". Small centre, surrounded by wide and intensive agricultural land. Historically seen a neighborhood center, surrounded by the "zeven Selligheden (Zaligheden)" (= zeven merry places), to know as "Eersel" (also known as the pearl of them), Knegsel, Steensel, Reusel, Wintelre (used to be Wintersel), Netersel en Hulsel. Some say that "Sterksel" is the eightest "Selligheit", some disagree in that. Anyway, Bladel can be found in a wonderful Brabant landscape and hides itself also a few treasure.

Agricultural business through the centuries

Large farmhouses, now historical monuments

The "Kempen" are situated on relatively poor soils (sand), but have been since centuries one huge agricultural society. Mixed farming (both cattling as arable land) can still be found in the surroundings of Bladel. Modern farmhouses are now side by side with large old "hoeves" (old farmhouses), some with huge straw roofs. Parcels are relatively small, even now the scale-increasing has found it's way in The Netherlands.

The place of my ancestors (father's side)

The graves of my grandma and grandpa

Bladel, my grandparents lived here all their lives and my heritage here goes back even four centuries. My great-great-great-great (etc) grandfather was a agricultural tax accounant and one of his grandsons would even make it to the mayor of the district. My father was born in Bladel, as well as his ten sisters and brothers (yes, we're talking about good Catholic families in these neighborhoods and times). more about them you can find in the travellogues.

Intro Updated Oct 7, 2003
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Reviews (10)

Then the "boys school" now the post office - Bladel

Bladel ... in the middle of no-where? Off The Beaten Path (1)

Okay, this statement is a little bit overdone, but Bladel is in touristic aspect not really the centre of the world, let... more travel advice

Large "hoeves", the Brabant farmhouses - Bladel

Bladel, centre in agricultural lands Local Customs (2)

Watch around in the outskirts of Bladel and you will find large low buildings between the new houseblocks. These... more travel advice

Remembering the rights of Bladella Villa - Bladel

A unique manuscript for freedom Favorites (1)

Already very early the people of Bladella Villa got freedom-rights. In the dark centuries of the Middle Ages, farmers as... more travel advice

Stones on the Bladel central square - Bladel

The stones on the marketsquare Local Customs (2)

Many will see the stones on the marketsquare and wonder what meaning they have. There are legends about them, varying... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Bladel, relatively isolated at the...

Things to Do (5)
See All Pladella Villa, Bladella and finaly...

Travelogues (1)

Written Oct 19, 2003

2 photos

My ancestors here go back to the 16th century

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Comments (2)

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OlafS Apr 27, 2004 at 11:21 AM

Nice page about an easily overlooked place. Such villages can be true little jewels and I'll visit it soon. The RC church is called St. Petrus' Banden, dates from 1926 and was designed by architect J.H.H. van Groenendael. Just to be complete.
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Canadienne Oct 25, 2003 at 7:55 PM

:-) The first visit (or comment at least) to this special place. This is a lovely page on a "regular" town; it may not be on a tourist route, but it is interesting nonetheless.