Boundary marker 216b

You are here on the border between the Netherlands and Belgium. In the grass along the side of the road you can still see an old border post. During the construction of the 'smuggling path', a border post was found that had 'disappeared' for years. It is a bluestone boundary marker with no. 216b. The boundary marker had completely disappeared because it had sunk into the ground over the years, weighing more than 600 kg. The place where the bluestone boundary marker is located is swampy ground and has subsided further and further over the years. In addition, the boundary marker was buried under clearing spoil. At the beginning of 2012, the boundary marker was placed back at its original height, being about 75 cm above ground level. The total height of this stone is 125 cm with a base of 50 cm x 50 cm and above it a trapezoidal body of 75 cm height. This trapezoidal body is the part that normally rises above ground level.
Boundary marker 216b is a bluestone intermediate boundary marker that was placed there in the years 1843/1844. The main boundary posts are made of cast iron. The Official Report for the placement as well as the tender of the border posts on the national border between Belgium and the Netherlands dates from 1843. In the same year and the following year, the boundary markers were placed on the national border. It involved 388 cast-iron main posts and 356 bluestone intermediate posts.
Procedure for dealing with boundary posts: In principle, boundary posts are checked every year for their presence and physical condition, but in recent years this has only been done for the cast iron main posts. The audit is carried out by and with representatives of the neighbouring municipalities. These annual inspections are drawn up in reports that are sent to the provincial governments of both countries, which includes the municipalities. If there are any deviations or repairs that need to be carried out, this will be reviewed by the Permanent Boundary Commission. This committee includes representatives of both countries.

Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos