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Klooster Bethanië

In 1914 the Dominican sisters came to the Netherlands from Belgium. Fleeing from the war in their own country, they had a retreat house (monastery) designed here by city architect Jules Kayser.
A home for young ladies, the nuns focused on the care/support of young women.
During the war, the Germans took possession of the monastery, because it was within the boundaries of the Fliegerhorst.
A total of 6 army buildings, 1 officer's canteen and 2 tennis courts were built on the monastery grounds (sources: aerial photo, inventory card of the monastery administration, own field research). The monastery served as accommodation for a so-called Flughafenbetriebs company until the new alloy buildings to the east of the monastery grounds were completed
The monastery itself was a municipal monument for many years, until the municipality sold it to an investment company. Now migrant workers are housed there.

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Source

  • Text: Herdenken in Venlo, Marcel Hogenhuis
  • Photos: Herdenken in Venlo