The tiny town of Bronkhorst was established somewhere around the year 1000 as a fortified farming settlement. The nearby castle was the ancestral castleof the lordsofBronckhorst, one of the most distinguished families in the province of Gelderland. Although the castle no longer exists, Bronkhorst has retained its original character. It is known as the smallest city in the Netherlands.
Lords of Bronckhorst
Bronkhorst Castle was originally a 10th-century motte-and-bailey castle: a simple wooden fortresson an artificial hill. The Bronckhorst family belonged to the four bannerets of the County of Guelders that pledged allegiance to the emperor and not to the count. According to an old rhyme, these Bronckhorsts were ‘the most noble’. They made a name for themselves by waging war against the Heeckeren familyover the succession in the county.
City rights
The town of Bronkhorst has always been tiny and just like in many other towns in the county, the village mainly consisted of a succession of farms. Despite its size however, Bronkhorst was granted its city rights in 1482. In 1633, a fire reduced most of the medieval buildings to ashes, and all that remained was a small part of the town´s moat and the chapel dedicatedto St Mary and St Martin, dating from 1344. The town´s unusual lay out and authenticity, still make Bronkhorst a welcoming and attractive place to visit.
Castle
Bronkhorst Castle stood on a hill adjacent to the town. It was demolished in 1828 and a country house was built on the remains. This was demolished, in turn, in 1904. Only the well on top of the hill serves as a reminder of this proud castle. In the town, the Hooge Huys was built on the old city wall after the fire. It is the only house with a stately appearance and was built as a reception houseforthe lords of Bronckhorst. Nowadays, it houses a print gallery.
Bronkhorst has no fewer than 38 national monuments, including a mill and a Jewish cemetery. All the places of interest can be combined into one short tour.
