Proverbial route - Humming Lock

De Bromsluis used to be a secret tunnel under the rampart. It was made in the early 17th century as part of the Heusden fortifications to protect the town. Today you can walk on, through and under the Bromsluis.

Opening your lock
A lock allows you to control two waters with different water levels. The tunnel of the Bromsluis could be closed with a gate to keep high water from the Maas out of the city.

Opening your lock can be used both literally and figuratively. If you take it literally, you open a lock with water. In the figurative sense, in other words, in the proverb, lock means mouth. Therefore, to open your sluice means to have a big mouth, or to be bold!

Secret escape route
The Bromsluis was the perfect escape route when the enemy attacked Heusden. People from the town could leave the town through the tunnel. Via the ravelijn that you see in front of the Bromsluis, they could flee to the mainland. They did not do that with boats, but probably via hidden stepping stones in the water. Of course, the enemy did not understand that!

Having your sheep on dry land
Sheep regularly walk on the ramparts. Someone who has his sheep on dry land has earned enough money and no longer has to work hard.

The proverb has been around since the 16th century. When high water was expected, farmers had to move their sheep from pastures to higher areas, such as a dike. If you had your sheep on dry land (land), you had it good: you would not lose sheep from the flock.

Continue route
Walk back through the Humming Lock and turn left. You are now walking straight towards the playground and the old castle ruins.