{"id":148293,"date":"2021-10-22T18:26:59","date_gmt":"2021-10-22T16:26:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oldaalten.nl\/aalten-achteruit\/kesenbult-boundary-stone-171\/"},"modified":"2026-06-20T12:11:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T10:11:24","slug":"kesenbult-boundary-stone-171","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oldaalten.nl\/en\/area\/border\/kesenbult-boundary-stone-171\/","title":{"rendered":"Kesenbult (Boundary Stone 171)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kiefteweg \/ Veenhuisweg, Heurne<\/p>\n\n

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\"Boundary\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Photo: Remco Neerhof<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Kesenbult is a small hill at the end of the Kiefteweg, near the green border crossing between the Netherlands and Germany. Atop the hill stands a centuries-old boundary stone, crafted from Bentheim sandstone. The stone bears the coats of arms of Guelders and M\u00fcnster, the year 1766, and the number 171. It has thus marked a formerly important border crossing for more than 250 years. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trade route and border crossing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the 18th century, the Kiefteweg \u2013 which used to be called Bodendijk<\/a> \u2013 formed part of the trade route<\/a> between the Duchy of Guelders<\/a><\/strong> and the Bishopric of M\u00fcnster<\/a><\/strong>. Not only commercial travellers passed through here, but also royal couriers, or messengers (boden). The name Bodendijk<\/em> refers to these couriers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cross Chapel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to trade and transit, the Kesenbult also played a role in religious life. During the period of Calvinism (1675\u20131799), when Catholic worship was banned in the Dutch Republic, Catholics from Aalten and Bredevoort crossed the border here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some two hundred metres across the border stood the Cross Chapel (Kruiskapel<\/a>), built in 1675 on the Reyerding<\/em> estate by order of the Bishop of M\u00fcnster, Bernhard van Galen<\/a> (popularly known as Bommen Berend<\/em>). The timber, octagonal chapel became the religious focal point for exiled Catholics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to tradition, worshippers travelled to the chapel in workwear and carrying their tools, so as not to be recognised as churchgoers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Present-day significance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Cross Chapel has since vanished, but the boundary stone on the Kesenbult remains. It serves as a reminder of centuries of trade, religion, and border traffic between Aalten and the M\u00fcnsterland. As such, the Kesenbult still forms a tangible symbol of the shared history on both sides of the border. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Features<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Cadastral no.<\/td>R-426<\/td><\/tr>
Function<\/td>Boundary stone<\/td><\/tr>
Year of construction<\/td>1766<\/td><\/tr>
Listed<\/td>National monument<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Sources<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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