Drongelse veer

As early as the 14th century, a ferry ferried passengers between Drongelen and Waalwijk. The ferry was leased every four years by the local authority in the person of Jan van Drongelen. In 1336 and subsequent periods, Jan van Besoijen was the tenant.
However, the river that was crossed was a different one than the current one. Now the Drongel ferry sails over the Bergsche Maas, which was dug at the end of the 19th century to divert the mouth of the Meuse. Until then, it was about the Oude Maas at Drongelen, a secondary branch of the Maas through the Land of Heusden and Altena. Just at the height of Drongelen, the catchment areas of the old river and the new artificially created river almost coincided.
Hugo Grotius and his companion Jan Lambertszoon were most likely ferried to Waalwijk via this ferry connection. Once on the other side, they found themselves in Spanish territory, where they were safe from Maurice's soldiers. In 1621, Waalwijk formed a narrow spit of land surrounded by State territory under Spanish rule.

Historische Routes