Historic Center of Wassenberg

City with keep

Wassenberg was first mentioned in a document in the “Klosterrather Annals” (Annales Rodenses). Klosterrath is today's Rolduc near Herzogenrath. In 1020, Emperor Henry II (1002 - 1024) gave the Flemish nobleman Gerhard von Antoing rich land holdings in Wassenberg in return for services rendered. After the expansion of the motte (original castle), his descendants called themselves “Count of Wassenberg”. Count Gerhard III of Wassenberg and Geldern is also considered the founder of the Wassenberg St. George's Abbey and the builder of the St. George's Provost Church.The founding document from September 30, 1118 is still preserved in an older copy. The abbey and church helped determine the fate of the town for centuries.