Willemstad, Fijnaart

Willemstad was originally a small village called Ruigenhil. William of Orange had the village fortified, turning it into a stronghold. By 1874, it had even become the centre of the Defence Line of the Hollandsch Diep and the Volkerak. When William's son granted city rights to Ruigenhil, the name was changed to Willemstad – William’s city.

Heijningen might just look like a quiet little village, but it has quite a story. In 1581, Jan van Wittem, the Marquis of Bergen op Zoom, authorised the reclamation of the area around Heijningen. It didn’t happen quickly – not all the plots were sold right away. On top of that, the marquis chose the side of Spain, which meant his land passed into the hands of William of Orange. William managed to sell the land, raising a good sum for the war chest. He also got to choose a plot for himself – the so-called 'prince’s plot’, which remained in the hands of the House of Orange until 1802.

Photo: REiSREPORT