Sint-Martens-Voeren
The village image is dominated by the 23 meter high railway bridge. It is part of the Tongeren-Aachen line that was built by the Germans during the First World War. This viaduct connects to the longest railway tunnel in Flanders (2070 m). The longest railway bridge in the country, in Moresnet, is also part of this line.
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Sint-Martens-Voeren
The village image is dominated by the 23 m high railway bridge. It is part of the Tongeren-Aachen line that was built by the Germans during the First World War. This viaduct connects to the longest railway tunnel in Flanders (2070 m). The longest railway bridge in the country, in Moresnet, is also part of this line. The church tower of the Sint-Martinuskerk originally dates from the 13th century. To the left under the tower is the grave of pastor Veltmans. (1866 – 1954) He played an important role in preserving the Dutch-speaking character of the Voer region. Among the old grave crosses in the cemetery is one from the 16th century. It stands behind the graves of the crew of an RAF aircraft (crashed in 1944).
A little further is the Veltmanshuis – named after pastor Veltmans, a former chapter house from the first half of the 18th century. It served as a parsonage until 1971. Now it is a Cultural Center of the Flemish Community. Nowhere in Flanders is the concentration of buildings built entirely or partly in silex (flint) as great as in the two central Voer villages, Sint-Martens-Voeren and Sint-Pieters-Voeren. Especially in the hamlet of Veurs, the old half-timbered houses, so typical for this region, have been preserved. Most of these houses date from the 18th or early 19th century.
A piece of history
Sint-Martens-Voeren was part of the county of Dalhem, which became part of the Duchy of Brabant in the mid-13th century. In the Partage treaty of 1661, Sint-Martens-Voeren was assigned to the Southern Netherlands.
The church tower of the Sint-Martinuskerk originally dates from the 13th century. To the left under the tower is the grave of pastor Veltmans. (1866 – 1954) He played an important role in preserving the Dutch-speaking character of the Voer region. Among the old grave crosses in the cemetery is one from the 16th century. It stands behind the graves of the crew of an RAF aircraft (crashed in 1944).
A little further on is the Veltmanshuis – named after Pastor Veltmans, a former chapter house from the first half of the 18th century. It served as a parsonage until 1971. Now it is a Cultural Center of the Flemish Community.
Nowhere in Flanders is the concentration of buildings built entirely or partly in silex (flint) as great as in the two central Voer villages, Sint-Martens- and Sint-Pieters-Voeren. Especially in the hamlet of Veurs, the old half-timbered houses, so typical for this region, have been preserved. Most of these houses date from the 18th or early 19th century.