English introduction to "Stichting Historische Werkgroep de Borcht Baarlo (Netherlands)"

Dear Visitor,

A brief history of the village of Baarlo:




The question is still open when there first developed a settlement. There is evidence that Baarlo was a settlement during the Roman period. In western parts of the village even archeological material was found from the stone and iron age. The settlement was traversed by a Roman road on the western side of the river Maas. For centuries people cross this important river. The history of the village and its main castle, known as the Borch are closely linked. The castle was first mentioned in 1388. A document that dates from 1219 first mentions the name Barlo. This name can be divided in Bar (= Bare ground) and Lo (= an open place surrounded by a forest). The old castle still remains in the centre of the village and was restored during the 70s. Nearby the old castle lays an old watermill which belonged to the castle. This mill was also restored in the 70s. Next to the mill there’s an old spring were women used to come to wash and bleak their clothes. It now is a touristic scene. During the second world war the old church of saint Peter and two old windmills were destroyed. After the war a new modern church was built. The old town hall that dated back to the end of the 19th century was broken down after the war. A few of the older houses have been restored or rebuilt. Two old chapels in the inner town were kept and preserved during the 70s. The chapels are dedicated to saint Ann and saint Anthony.