Meijel: Peel History and Routes

Meijel offers a range of ways to explore during a stay: the architectural history of Sint Nicolaaskerk, historic traces at Belfort Vossenberg, and walking and art routes with stated distances. You can discover the town through specific buildings, its past or a comparison of the routes. Each topic offers a different perspective: the church represents architecture in the historic centre, while the routes each specify their own distances and destinations.

Peel History at Belfort Vossenberg

Meijel emerged in the late Middle Ages as an “island in the Peel”. The 22-metre-high Belfort Vossenberg observation tower offers views over historic terrain. Six bunkers, also known as casemates, stand directly beside the tower and were part of the Peelraamstelling. A route from Belfort Vossenberg served both as an escape route from Meijel to Brabant and as a route for the historic peat extraction in the Peel. The site at Belfort thus brings together views, military heritage and a historic route.

Church and Historic Transport Routes

Sint Nicolaaskerk stands in the historic centre of Meijel. It is a three-aisled hall church with a flat-ended chancel. The term “three-aisled” describes the division of the church interior into three aisles; a flat-ended chancel terminates without a polygonal end. The church was built on the site of its medieval or neo-Gothic predecessors. Its architectural history can therefore also be understood through the earlier churches built on the same site. Another historic trace is the route taken by the transport company “De Keulse Kar”, which ran through Meijel in the 19th century. Among other services, the company operated a courier service between Den Bosch and Keulen. The church and the company’s route offer different perspectives on Meijel’s past: the development of a central building and a historic transport business.

Routes and Different Highlights

Stage 11 of the Hertogenpad is a 23.3 km hiking route that starts in the centre of Meijel and heads towards Leudal. Art Route 2 is a 21 km route for Meijel and Beringe. Based on the stated distances, it is 2.3 km shorter than Stage 11. The starting point and direction are specified for this stage; for the art route, the stated locations are Meijel and Beringe. The Ommetje de Vossenberg includes a listening stone with the story of David Mckellar. The listening stone offers a different focus from the two routes described by distance: it adds a narrated story to the selection, while the other routes emphasise distance.

Information for Your Stay

VVV Meijel provides information about local attractions, walking and cycling routes, events and accommodation. It also sells souvenirs and gifts. Regional products are available individually and in regional or special gift packages; the selection may change. VVV thus brings together information about activities and accommodation. Alongside historic buildings and routes, events and regional products are further topics to consider when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Kessel, Egchel, Maasbree, Baarlo, Helden, Grashoek, Beringe, Panningen

For the overview of the wider area: Peel En Maas.