National Park The Biesbosch

The Biesbosch is one of the largest nature reserves in the Netherlands. At the Tourist Information Point in Geertruidenberg, you can find information about boating, hiking and cycling in this unique nature reserve.

The Biesbosch has been of great influence on the development of the municipality of Geertruidenberg. Raamsdonksveer has had a connection with the Biesbosch for centuries. Biesbosch workers often lived with their large families of children in small houses, in a maze of alleys on the Sandoel. The street names still have to do with the Biesbosch: Kadepad, Rietstraat, Biezenstraat, Griendstraat. In the winter, from November to March, the men left early on Monday mornings by rowboat for the Biesbosch. The reeds and brushwood were cut, sorted and tied together into large bundles on the spot. After the winter season, the harvest was sold or processed into reed mats, baskets and hoops for barrels and kegs. William of Orange gave Geertruidenberg the right to trade the expensive salmon, shad and sturgeon from the water throughout Europe, which naturally led to increased prosperity.