The white town of Thorn is known for its characteristic white-painted buildings and narrow streets, which date back to different periods of Dutch history.
The history of Thorn spans more than a thousand years. Thorn was an independent state for over 800 years, where canonesses, under the leadership of a princess abbess, wielded power. These canonesses were actually noble ladies in a convent.
The state had its own judiciary and minted its own coins. This came to an end with the arrival of the French in 1794. The French imposed a tax based on the size of the windows. More windows in the house meant a higher tax. The poor population bricked up their windows to limit the tax assessment. To hide the ‘scars of poverty,’ the houses were whitewashed.
Drive on and discover the town for yourself!
Source: https://www.hartvanlimburg.nl/nl/geschiedenis-van-het-witte-stadje-thorn
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