Velden: Traditions, History and Landscape

Get to know Velden through its local traditions, historic buildings, and paths through the landscape. This offers a range of themes to choose from when deciding what to focus on during your stay: local customs, architecture, cycling, and walking.

Gekke Maondaag and Local Traditions

One of the defining traditions is Gekke Maondaag. Traditionally, young unmarried men—formerly farmhands—would leave Schandelo and the other districts for the village cafés one week after the guild festival. Today, people of all ages still turn out in large numbers to celebrate the day. The exact arrangements may change; if you would like to plan your visit around the festival, check the dates in advance.

The Gekke Maondaag walking route connects five statues in the outskirts and hamlets of Velden. Each statue can serve as a possible starting point, giving you several options for where to begin.

Church, Farmstead, and Village Pump

Sint-Andreaskerk has two Baroque side altars dating from the 18th century. The Hovenshof, also known as Hovershof, is a listed farmstead in the hamlet of Hasselt in the village of Velden, dating from 1778. Together, these examples represent different facets of the built heritage: sacred furnishings in the church and a historic farmstead in Hasselt.

The village pump adds a public drinking-water point to the historic buildings. On 4 October 2009, it was returned to its original location and installed there as a monument. The restored pump once again dispenses water and is the municipality of Venlo’s first public drinking-water outlet. If you would like to draw water, check on site whether it is currently working.

Cycling Routes and Landscapes

The Fossa Eugeniana cycling route passes through Velden, a district of Venlo. Construction of the Fossa Eugeniana began in 1626; the planned canal was intended to connect the Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt. The Zwart Water cycling route offers a different point of reference: it starts at the Marktplein in Velden and leads past the church, along Kloosterstraat and Veerweg, towards the Meuse.

The Zwart Water nature reserve lies close to Velden. It is a large, old Meuse meander with remnants of heathland and dry and wet grassland. Several short and long walks are signposted there. The cycling network runs directly through the area, along the Venkoelen.

The Vreewater has a different character: this small-scale, semi-open landscape lies east of Velden on the German border. While Zwart Water is defined by the old Meuse meander and its remnants of heathland and grassland, Vreewater is characterized by its small-scale, semi-open landscape.

Events and Practical Information

Schutterij Sint Andreas in Velden organizes shooting competitions, parades, festive events, and community projects. Spectators are welcome at its events. If you plan to attend as a spectator, check the dates before travelling.

Parking for the Schandelo route is available at the market square in Velden. As practical details may change, check the parking situation locally before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Venlo, Belfeld, Tegelen, Arcen

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