New Landmark along the A73 Commemorates Venray’s Wartime History

A striking new landmark has recently been installed along the A73 near the Loobeek stream: the Venray Remembers landmark. This monument, officially unveiled on 29 April 2025, marks a location of great historical significance and invites reflection on the wartime history of the region.

The landmark is derived from the rest stops along the themed cycle route Aan de andere kant (“On the other side”), which connects the German War Cemetery in Ysselsteyn with the War Museum in Overloon. This route is also available by car. In the centre of Venray, there is also a walking route under the same name, which starts at the experience point near the Grote Kerk and passes various sites with a wartime history. Like the benches along these routes, the landmark features a silhouette within a dividing wall, symbolising the invitation to look to “the other side” — a reference to the different perspectives on war and peace.

The artwork was created by artist Juul Baltussen. Its base consists of a 1955 casemate bunker into which a German tank from 1941 had crashed. The structure was cut in two to symbolise the transition from war to peace. The concrete bunker was made available by the War Museum Overloon.

The location — alongside one of the main access roads to Venray — was deliberately chosen. The nearby Loobeek, also known locally as the “Bloedbeek” or “Blood Brook”, was the site of heavy fighting in the final phase of the Second World War, resulting in many casualties. With this landmark, Venray aims to honour that history and create a place that encourages contemplation and dialogue.

The realisation of the landmark was an intensive process. Permission had to be obtained from the Limburg Water Authority, the owner of the land, and the Municipality of Venray issued the necessary building permit. The project was made possible with financial support from the Province of Limburg, the Municipality of Venray, the Nelissen-Smit Fund Foundation, the Jambo Foundation, and the Tourist and Recreational Platform Venray.

As part of the project, educational materials will also be developed for schools and youth organisations. The budget is not yet fully covered, and the organisation hopes that additional (private) parties will contribute to completing the project’s funding.