In the Middle Ages, the Langstraat was a marshy, isolated area. In 1422, the Count of Holland ordered the construction of a dike, on which a ribbon of settlements arose. As a result of peat extraction, narrow plots of land arose perpendicular to the dike, separated by ditches or hedges: the parallel plots of land. Farmers started tanning leather, because little grew on the remaining sands. The industrial revolution led to the construction of the Halve Zolen railroad, named after the leather products transported via the single track. Today, the railroad serves as a bicycle path. The route of over 20 kilometers runs from Geertruidenberg to Drunen. The Halvezolenroute tells the story of De Langstraat. In addition to five impressive works of art, there are animated films and poems. The images can be viewed and listened to via the cycling and walking route app 'Brabant Vertelt'.
