Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Prince of Orange

The city of Siegen (pop. 100.000) got its name probably from the river name Sieg. The city´s history is connected to mining, some mines date back to the late Iron Age. In 1224 the "Oberes Schloss" ("upper castle") existed already was already standing at this time, in 1303, the town was granted town rights. In the 16th century, the town was surrounded by walls with 16 towers and three town gates. After the Refomarmation Protestands (Calvinists) and Catholics lived here side by side. A sometimes violent neighborhood. Mid 18th century the wealthy area was part of the Principality of Orange-Nassau, ruled by William I, who was Prince of Orange-Nassau, Prince of Orange and the first King of the Netherlands. In 1815 Siegen was assigned to the Prussian Province of Westphalia. In 1577, Peter Paul Rubens, the the best known son of the city, was born here to the Calvinists Jan Rubens and Maria Pypelincks, who had fled Antwerp. Archeologists have proven, that already during the 8th century a building was here, overlooking and so securing a ford below. In the 11th century a collegiate church existed here, that got destroyed end of the 12th century. It got rebuilt around 1230 and modificated 1511-1516. The park, that surrounds the church, once was the medieval graveyard.

The city of Siegen (pop. 100.000) got its name probably from the river name Sieg. The city´s history is connected to mining, some mines date back to the late Iron Age. In 1224 the "Oberes Schloss" ("upper castle") existed already was already standing at this time, in 1303, the town was granted town rights. In the 16th century, the town was surrounded by walls with 16 towers and three town gates. After the Refomarmation Protestands (Calvinists) and Catholics lived here side by side. A sometimes violent neighborhood. Mid 18th century the wealthy area was part of the Principality of Orange-Nassau, ruled by William I, who was Prince of Orange-Nassau, Prince of Orange and the first King of the Netherlands. In 1815 Siegen was assigned to the Prussian Province of Westphalia. In 1577, Peter Paul Rubens, the the best known son of the city, was born here to the Calvinists Jan Rubens and Maria Pypelincks, who had fled Antwerp. The Nikolaikirche was erected in the center of the medieval town within the 13th century. It was obviously not possible to built a "traditional" church with a long nave on the hilly ground, so the church was erected as a complex, but compact hexagon. On top of the tower is a golden Crown, called the "Krönchen", Siegen´s landmark. The crown was presented to the citizens of Siegen in 1652 by Johann Moritz zu Nassau-Siegen, after his ennoblement. The crown is about 1,90 m high and has a diameter of about 1,35 m. Seen on top of the tower is meanwhile a copy. The original from 1652 is kept inside the church.

The city of Siegen (pop. 100.000) got its name probably from the river name Sieg. The city´s history is connected to mining, some mines date back to the late Iron Age. In 1224 the "Oberes Schloss" ("upper castle") existed already was already standing at this time, in 1303, the town was granted town rights. In the 16th century, the town was surrounded by walls with 16 towers and three town gates. After the Refomarmation Protestands (Calvinists) and Catholics lived here side by side. A sometimes violent neighborhood. Mid 18th century the wealthy area was part of the Principality of Orange-Nassau, ruled by William I, who was Prince of Orange-Nassau, Prince of Orange and the first King of the Netherlands. In 1815 Siegen was assigned to the Prussian Province of Westphalia. In 1577, Peter Paul Rubens, the the best known son of the city, was born here to the Calvinists Jan Rubens and Maria Pypelincks, who had fled Antwerp. The tower of the Nikolaikirche. On top of the tower is a golden Crown, called the "Krönchen", Siegen´s landmark. The crown was presented to the citizens of Siegen in 1652 by Johann Moritz zu Nassau-Siegen, after his ennoblement. The crown is about 1,90 m high and has a diameter of about 1,35 m. Seen on top of the tower is meanwhile a copy. The original from 1652 is kept inside the church.

The city of Siegen (pop. 100.000) got its name probably from the river name Sieg. The city´s history is connected to mining, some mines date back to the late Iron Age. In 1224 the "Oberes Schloss" ("upper castle") existed already was already standing at this time, in 1303, the town was granted town rights. In the 16th century, the town was surrounded by walls with 16 towers and three town gates. After the Refomarmation Protestands (Calvinists) and Catholics lived here side by side. A sometimes violent neighborhood. Mid 18th century the wealthy area was part of the Principality of Orange-Nassau, ruled by William I, who was Prince of Orange-Nassau, Prince of Orange and the first King of the Netherlands. In 1815 Siegen was assigned to the Prussian Province of Westphalia. In 1577, Peter Paul Rubens, the the best known son of the city, was born here to the Calvinists Jan Rubens and Maria Pypelincks, who had fled Antwerp. The Catholic parish church St. Michael is pretty young. Built 1903-1906 in Neo-Romanic style, it does look older.

Since the 12th century Liesse hosted a statue of a "Black Virgin", known as "Notre Dame de Liesse, source et cause de notre joie", and ever since then Liesse has been a center of Marian pilgrimage. Liesse was even a favorite destination for royal pilgrimages, visited by Louis VII, Charles VI, Charles VII and others. The basilica was built during the late 13th and early 14th centuries and probably replaced an earlier chapel. It was probably erected with stones left over from the construction of the nearby Laon Cathedral. The portal and façade were constructed in the 15th century In 1568 the troops of the Protesant Prince of Orange looted Liesse and the basilica village. The soldiers broke the statue, removed the bells and set fire to the church. The restoration was completed in 1577.