Vector of memory Martinus Tower

Vector of memory
Torenstraat 15
6591 CD
Gennep

Vector of Memory

The St. Martin's Church in Gennep, probably designed by architect Pierre Cuypers, was destroyed during fighting in February 1945. Only the Martinus tower was spared and is still one of the few towers along the Maas.

Martinus Tower

The Martinus Tower is the only remaining church tower in the vicinity of North Limburg that was not destroyed during World War II. The tower offers views of the battlefields of Operation Market Garden and Operation Veritable, which are known as the Battle of the Reichswald. The area around the Maas formed the front line for five months and many mills, tall buildings, and church towers were destroyed because of their lookout function. The Martinus tower, however, remained standing, possibly due to the presence of Red Cross flags at the nearby tuberculosis sanatorium, Maria-oord.

The tower survived the war, only the weathercock came down when the strategically located town of Gennep was taken by Allied forces on February 8, 1945. The Martinus Tower is therefore a reminder of the destruction and fighting that took place during World War II in North Limburg.

Ommetje Hiking Trail

Ommetje Gennep 9,2 Km Hiking Trail Limburg. Discover the WWII sights of Gennep and Limburg during a hiking trail along, among others, the Martinus Tower, Ellen Hoffmann Square, Highlander Bridge.