Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: Heeswijk-Dinther

The mill in Kilsdonk is dating back to the year of 1433, when it was mentioned as a watermill. Originally there were two watermills on the banks of the River Aa. Due to flooding and problems with the drainage process in 1491 was determined that the mills only in winter could be used. A new miller wanted to use the mills during the year and got permission to built a windmill (1813). After a devastating fire, which burned down the mills, the mill complex was reopened in 1842. Flooding persisted and the mill was bought by the municipality of Veghel and the wheels were removed. Water problems solved, but the mill fell into disrepair. Nowadays the Kilsdonkse Molen (Kilsdonk Mill) is owned by a foundation, which was able to perform extensive restoration works in 2003-2008. The combination of a water- and windmill is quiet unique even in the Netherlands with its numerous mills.

Kasteel Heeswijk (Heeswijk Castle) was originally built around 1080 by inhabitants of the valley of the river Aa as a motte, a moated refuge.’Count Almericus van Heeswijk’ ís the first (1156) known castle dweller. In the 13th century the castle becomes the property of the family ‘Van Bentheim’, who enlarged the castle at the end of that century. In subsequent years, the castle had several owners and it was rebuilt and expanded many times. In 1834 Belgian ‘André baron van den Bogaerde van Terbruggen’ bought Heeswijk Castle and of course it was rebuilt again. He and his descendants were art collectors and decorated the castle with all kinds of art and the castle was partly used as a museum; its nickname was ‘Musée de Bogaerde’. The last noble descendant died in 1994 and since that time the castle is owned by The Heeswijk Castle Foundation. Nowadays the castle, gatehouse and coach house are used for cultural activities and/or are housing a café, restaurant and conference rooms. The castle can be visited during a guided tour, while the garden and surrounding park are free of charge.

‘Huis Zwanenburg’ (Manor Zwanenburg) is the only remaining manor of the six medieval fortified houses which once stood in Dinther. It was built in several stages. Around the year of 1400 a so called ‘steenen kaemer’ (stone room) was built on the site of the current manor. Such a stone room was not meant for permanent residence, but served as a shelter for the owner of the estate, when he came to Zwanenburg consulting his tenants and managing the estate. The part of the building with the gabled roof is probably built between 1500 and 1520. In the 17th century the house was extended and at the end of that century radically rebuilt. In 1733 the house was completely dilapidated, but later it was restored. Around1950 a major restoration followed and the manor became its current look. ‘Huis Zwanenburg’ is picturesquely situated in the valley of the river Aa between Dinther and Veghel and is located in the hamlet Beugt.