Holset (Netherlands)

Holset is a small village in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is located in the municipality of Vaals, about 2 km west of the town of Vaals itself."ANWB Topografische Atlas Nederland", Topografische Dienst and ANWB, 2005.]

Holset is about 15 minutes by car from Aachen, just inside the dutch border in South Limburg.

It has a history that goes back until before Christ. On the small hill is the Lambertus-church, 2000 years ago there stood a temple of the Eburons (who defeated Caesar's armies). Caesar took terrible revenge and destroyed the Eburons and destroyed the temple.

Around 360 the bishop of Maastricht came to Holset to convert the population to Christianity. Some centuries later a church was built there.

Today the Lambertus-church is preferred for the celebration of marriages but also a place of pilgrimmage to the holy Genoveva of France (against eye-diseases and skin-rashes, esp. 18th century).

Holset has about 120 inhabitants, a hotel, a pub and a bed and breakfast hostel with 7 rooms.The pub "Oud Holset" (Old Holset) is opposite of the church and used to be called "Cafè Franck".

Holset is a refuge for a rare toad called "Klükske" that used to be common all over europe and is on the red list today. Their sound during mating season is similar to that of a tiny bell, hence the dutch name "Klükske"

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