Nijnsel

Nijnsel (

The word Nijnsel means new residence ("nij" mening new, "sel" meaning residence). The name of the nearby hamlet Vressel means Old residence. "Sel" being derived from the word "sale", which refers to the largest house in the area which belonged to the local nobleman in the early medieval period.^[3][4]

History

Source:^[5]

The hamlets Nijnsel and Vressel on either side of the Dommel river are known to be habituated in prehistoric times. There are archaeological remains of the Bell Beaker culture and also remains of the Roman era were found. There are numerous archaeological monuments which also remain from the Mesolithic era.^[6] A settlement from the early Bronze Age, around 1500 BC was excavated in Nijnsel.^[7]

Nijnsel originated as a settlement around a chapel which was dedicated to

The village Nijnsel includes the possible remains of castle Ten Houte, which is founded in the 15th century and demolished in the 19th century. These remains are located between the Houtsestraat and the Hoogstraat.^[8]

Nijnsel continued into the twentieth century as a small linear settlement on the old road between Sint-Oedenrode and Lieshout. Later on the development of the village was further determined by both the construction of the Catholic Church, and by the proximity to the Veghelseweg - Sonseweg (Road to Veghel and to Son). The "Sint Antonius van Padua" Church was inaugurated in 1911 and around the church formed a village. The largest change over the last decades was the arrival of a new neighborhood in the 60s-80s and an industrial area in 1970. Initially, only small-scale and 'clean' companies were admitted at the industrial area. Nijnsel was notorious for the Provincial Road N265 which for years separated the village from the nearby Sint-Oedenrode. Since the opening of the State Highway A50 in 2003, the traffic nuisance has diminished, as the A50 since then passes through a tunnel next to the village. The construction of this highway was accompanied by an expansion of the business area.

Sights

• The Saint Anthony of Padua Church is a rustic brick church which was consecrated in 1911 and designed by the architect Louis Kooken from Eindhoven. The choice of Anthony of Padua as the patron saint of the church arose from the fact that the construction pastor, Johannes Panken, was born on the feast day of this saint. The same priest organized an annual pilgrimage, which was called the Meierijsche Pilgrimage in which thousands of people participated. This pilgrimage began to languish after 1960 and is now long gone. However, an open-air mass is held every year in honor of Anthony of Padua, using a stone niche with canopy in a small park to the rear of the church and the cemetery. This is sometimes called the "green cathedral". Next to the church is a Sacred Heart statue.
• Some characteristic old hall houses in traditional Brabantian style can be found at the provincial road (Lieshoutseweg) to Mariahout and along the Vresselseweg.^[9]

Nature and landscape

East and north of Nijnsel runs the river the

• The
  Limburgian mines and was built on a drift-sand ridge to stop the sand being blown onto the farmlands, but has become gradually more varied. The forest contains some important fen complexes, of which the Hazenputten is the most important. There are also areas with wet heaths. The area is managed by the National Forestry Service (Staatsbosbeheer). The "Hazenputten" was nominated by Staatsbosbeheer for the title of "Most beautiful spot" in the Netherlands in 2013.^[11]
  There are several hiking trails in this forest, including the famous “geerzingel” path.
• The
  quagmire consisting of decayed plant material that could be used as Peat (fuel) after drying. A carr
  borders these pools. There are hiking trails.
• The
  Lousewort can be found. There is a hiking path and a watchtower
  has been built.

These three nature areas are located close together and between them some ancient infield can be found, such as small-scale fields. Together these areas form a part of "Het Groene Woud".

• Den Bosch, Eindhoven and Tilburg. The most original part and natural state of the Dommel can be found between Eindhoven and Boxtel and hence in Nijnsel. Here the Dommel has still its original winds and meanders
  and forms a cultural-historical and valuable landscape area. Hiking, canoeing and cycling activities are possible in this area.

The fen "Hazenputten" in the Vresselse Bossen in Nijnsel

Trivia

• During the yearly carnaval, the name of the village is changed into "Papgat" for three days. Nijnsel has 1 carnaval association named "de Heikneuters".^[12]
• Each November the arrival of Sinterklaas in the village is celebrated by a parade for the town's children by the characters involving the holiday.^[13]
• The spoken language is North Meierijs (an East Brabantian dialect, which is very similar to colloquial Dutch).^[14]

Nearby residential communities

Sint-Oedenrode, Mariahout, Breugel, Son, Boskant, Zijtaart, Veghel, Liempde, Eerde, Wijbosch, Olland and Schijndel.

• 
  Entrance of Sint Antonius van Padua Church, Nijnsel
• 
  Dommel valley in Nijnsel
• 
  Moerkuilen
• 
  Vressels Forest / Vresselse Bossen
• 
  The fen "Hazenputten" in the Vresselse Bossen in Nijnsel
• 
  Traditional

  farm houses

  , Nijnsel, June 1968
• 
  Brabantian Farm house, 1968, Nijnsel
• 
  Farm house, Vresselseweg, May 1970
• 
  Farm house, Vresselse weg, May 1970
• 
  Typical Brabantian style Hall house, April 15, 1942, Nijnsel
• 
  Farm house, Lieshoutseweg, Nijnsel, 1968
• 
  Old baking house, Vresselseweg, May 1970
• 
  Old Brabantian style farm stead, Lieshoutseweg, April 15, 1942
• 
  Old Brabantian style farm stead, Lieshoutseweg, April 15, 1942
• 
  Old Brabantian style farm stead, Lieshoutseweg, September 7, 1984
• 
  Hay shed, Lieshoutseweg, Nijnsel, September 7, 1984
• 
  Traditional Brabantian style farm stead, April 15, 1942
• 
  Hazenputten
• 
  Hazenputten; Fen in the Vresselse Bossen
• 
  Vresselse Bossen
• 
  Catholic Church, Nijnsel

Trivia

• During the yearly carnaval a youth parade is held and the name of the village is temporary changed into Kneutergat.
• In November the arrival of Sinterklaas in the village is celebrated by a parade for the village children by the characters involving the holiday.
• The spoken language is North Meierijs (an East Brabantian dialect, which is very similar to colloquial Dutch).^[14]

References

• Website of the municipality