The best city hikes and walks around Schaar van Valkenisse

The prayer house is also called De Mozeskerk. The church was given the status of national monument in 1997. In 2002 the building was restored for the first time and in 2013 a new restoration followed by the PKN after the merger of the Dutch Reformed Church and the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands. Source: Wikipedia

This tree is called "Grenslinde Kapelle". The trunk circumference of this tree is unknown. Because this tree is a multi-trunked tree, it is possible that the girth of the tree is larger than what would be expected of a tree of this age. The height of this tree is unknown. The tree was planted around 1805 ± 5 and is therefore approximately 218 ± 5 years old.

The Military Cemetery in Kapelle is the only military cemetery in Zeeland and the only French military cemetery in the Netherlands. A large number of the French soldiers buried here died during the German invasion of May 1940. French troops who died in the Netherlands later during the war are also buried here.

Why were so many North African soldiers of the French army given their final resting place at this military cemetery? The French army traditionally consisted of soldiers of various nationalities. French colonies in North Africa supplied this army with many immigrant troops. In some army units, entire Moroccan and Algerian regiments were created. These regiments did not participate in the fighting in Zeeland in May 1940. North African soldiers serve here in regular army units. When the French army collapsed at the end of May 1940, tens of thousands fled from Dunkirk to England. In the Channel, German aircraft sank several ships carrying troops. Most of the passengers drowned. Many of the remains of French soldiers in this cemetery washed up on the Dutch coast in the summer of 1940. About a hundred of them had no identification whatsoever. Most of the soldiers of North African origin who are buried here also died in the sea. Some died later in the war on Dutch soil. The North African soldiers are honored with a grave monument in the shape of a crescent moon. On the island of Schiermonnikoog there are 22 graves of French soldiers, one of which is of North African origin. French Military Cemetery information board.

Historical interpretation: In May 1940, French troops crossed from Zeeuws-Vlaanderen to Zuid-Beveland. Their task was to stop the German advance and prevent the Allied troops from being trapped in Belgium and France. While the Dutch army had already surrendered in the rest of the country, the fighting continued in Zeeland. French troops tried to blow up the bridges over the canal through Zuid-Beveland but were not completely successful. In the meantime, they were bombarded by German aircraft and there were many casualties. Some of the victims were temporarily buried in the dike. On May 16, German units advanced west from the canal. Fierce street battles with French soldiers followed at Vlissingen station. The French position became untenable and eventually the French troops withdrew across the Western Scheldt to rejoin the rest of the Allied army. Immediately after the fighting, the population took action. They collected the fallen soldiers and laid them in a communal grave. At the beginning of 1941, the French soldiers were reburied amid great interest from the population and with the permission of the German occupiers. To this day, French soldiers from all over the Netherlands are reburied at this location. When Canadian units entered Kapelle during the Battle of the Scheldt on October 28, 1944, an occupation that had begun with great violence in May 1940 came to an end almost without a fight. Ultimately, French units would also participate in the liberation of Zeeland when they set foot again in Vlissingen on November 1 as part of Operation Infatuate I. In the adjacent Museum Memorial 40-45 you can learn more about the French efforts in the Netherlands during the Second World War. Visit the Zeeuwse Ankers website for extensive information, personal stories and videos about the Battle of the Scheldt. Source: Liberation route Kapelle-french-military-cemetery

The reformed church of Kapelle is located in the center of the Zeeland ring village in Zuid-Beveland. The church was built over several centuries. In 1248, work began on the construction of a tuff stone church from the 12th or 13th century. When it was demolished in the 14th century, construction of the current church began. Work began on the choir and the tower. The sacristy and north choir were built in 1475 and the baptistery on the side of the tower in 1500. The ship dates from the same period. The tower is the most famous part of the church and is called The Tough Zeeuw. It is a 60 meter high tower that is largely made of brick, but the entrance is made of natural stone. The tower is the only one in Zeeland to have a brick spire with four corner turrets.

A lovely brown pub where you can taste tasty Dutch dishes at reasonable prices. Soaking up the atmosphere is free. The bartender knows how to entertain the customers. Highly recommended for those looking for fun and entertainment.

This tree is called "Grenslinde Kapelle". The trunk circumference of this tree is unknown. Because this tree is a multi-trunked tree, it is possible that the girth of the tree is larger than what would be expected of a tree of this age. The height of this tree is unknown. The tree was planted around 1805 ± 5 and is therefore approximately 218 ± 5 years old. Source https://www.monumentaltrees.com/nl/nld/zeeland/kapelle/26745_wegnaarhetstommekruis/