Waardenburg

It was first mentioned in 1108 as Werden, and means "fortified place near water".^[4] Waardenburg developed as an esdorp perpendicular to the dike of the Waal. Waardenburg Castle was founded in 1265 as a wooden fortification. It developed into a castle with three towers, a ring wall and a gate. In 1574, it was taken by William the Silent causing the destruction of the west and south side. In 1703, the ruins were cleared.^[5]

In 1840, Waardenburg was home to 675 people.^[6] In 1868, the village was cut in two by the railway line.^[5] A train station opened in Waardenburg, but closed in 1935.^[7] In 1932, the main road Den Bosch-Utrecht (nowadays: A2 motorway) further divided the village.^[5]

Waardenburg has two windmills. The Poldermolen is a windpump built in 1867 which still serves a modest function to drain a 120 hectares (300 acres) nature area.^[8] De Zeskante Molen is a grist mill from the 18th century. Between 1914 and 1918, it was used to generate electricity. In 1995, the dike was enlarged and the windmill was raised 1.5 metres.^[9]

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  Dutch Reformed Church
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  Waardenburg Castle
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  Polder mill
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  Dike armory