Kessenich

Kessenich (German pronunciation: [ˈkɛsənɪç] ⓘ) is a village in the Belgian province Limburg.

Kessenich is the end of the Grensmaas, the part of the Meuse who forms a natural border with the Dutch province Limburg.

The region of Kessenich is dissected by several rivers: the Abeek, the Itterbeek and Witbeek on their way to the Meuse.

After the fallof the Western Roman Empire, a shire covering Kessenich, Thorn, Aldeneik and some other villages came into existence.

Kessenich became an imperial free city, since the 14th century united with the county Bronshorn (Hunsel).

When the Dutch-British troops withdrew from the region under the leadership of the Duke of Malborough during the Spanish Succession War, Kessenich was plundered in 1714, besieged the castle and the countess captured.

In the whole region it is still the annual tradition to burn a straw doll, which the Duke of Marlborough should propose.

In 1839, the province is divided with de Meuse as limit into a Belgian and a Dutch part.

The division of Kessenich and surroundings before the 18th century.