Monument De Hel

For the construction of the St. Plechelmus basilica in Oldenzaal in the middle of the 12th century the farmers had to transport heavy stone blocks made of Bentheim sandstone from the Gildehaus and Bentheim stone pits to Oldenzaal, 15 to 20 km away. That was pure hell for animals and farmers. The most difficult part of the route was therefore called "De Hel" (Hell). There, north of De Lutte, this monument was unveiled in 2013. A sign says that farmers were forbidden to breed horses for 7 years, because all the strength of the horses was needed to transport stones.