What can you expect from a town called Alps? Well, you can expect a lot out of this Lower Rhenish town that’s technically been around for a good nine centuries.
If this were a few centuries back you would have been able to see Schloss Alpen. Only the embankment remains from an early 13th century castle that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1758.
Once the French came to the these parts around 1809, they broke apart the castle for other building. Although, they did mention it on what was called the Castle Chaussee, or Castle Highway. With good reason, many people equate castle with royalty and Alpen has a wonderful story of a heroic princess.
Amalia was quite the fearless leader for the Netherlands Freedom Movement and born at Alpen Castle. What makes this truly remarkable is that this lovely princess did this in the 16th century, going totally against the norms of her day.
Princess Amalia is buried with great honor in the historical Evangelical Church Alpen (a beauty in an Italian Renaissance design — so don’t miss it!). The good princess isn’t where Alpen’s dedication to women ends. Over at the Frauenstelen on Ulrichstraße 16-18, you’ll find memorial stellas in honor of women in the region’s history.
Another church that really shouldn’t be missed is the Catholic Church in the village of Veen. This truly beautiful church was built in 1162 and enlarged to its current size in 1458.
Many of Alpen’s objects of interest can be found along its Cultural Path or on the highlighted Bicycle Route. Either way, you’ll see not only the area of Alpen Castle, the Frauenstelen, and the medieval Catholic church. But, the Local History Museum, the old Jewish Cemetery, and many of the intricately detailed town wells.
We can’t forget about the Frankish grave hills that are more than 1400 years old, either.
So, what can you expect in the town of Alpen? Nothing short of a super grand time.
