Holiday apartment in Venray: discover culture, nature and history

The Ysselsteyn German war cemetery is a site of particular historical significance: it is the only German military cemetery in the Netherlands and, at 28 hectares, the largest German military cemetery in the world by area. The site contains the graves of more than 31,598 deceased persons.

Culture and history

At the visitor centre of the Ysselsteyn German war cemetery, a multimedia exhibition combines the history of the site with a searchable database containing the personal life stories of those buried there. The exhibition can be visited free of charge seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Guided tours share additional remarkable stories alongside the graves of German soldiers.

History can also be experienced at various locations in Venray itself. The “In Hemelsnaam” presentation in the tower of St. Peter’s Bandenkerk tells the story of the church and tower’s construction, destruction and reconstruction. From the tower, Venray can be viewed from a height of around 50 metres; on a clear day, Nijmegen is visible. The Museum of Psychiatry offers an interactive journey through the past, present and future of psychiatry.

The Venrays Museum presents the development of psychiatric care in Venray. It also tells the story of Venray’s historical role as a market town with international trading relations, as well as its history as a refuge for persecuted Catholics. Other topics include monuments, religious symbols, historic buildings, churches and chapels.

The fair in Venray Centrum is organised annually by the Municipality of Venray together with numerous other parties.

Routes and experiences

Several routes connect historic sites with different forms of transport. The 59-kilometre “Venray Remembers” cycling route connects the German war cemetery in Ysselsteyn with the War Museum in Overloon. The “Venray Remembers” walking route of the same name connects a virtual history at St. Peter’s Bandenkerk with several sights relating to wartime history. At designated locations along the routes, the Venray Remembers app projects augmented-reality videos into the surroundings.

The “In de schaduw van de tijd” cycling route passes through nature, history and art. The Culttours Venray consist of walks of around 3.5 kilometres to places of interest, focusing on psychiatry, religion and education.

Nature and landscape

Odapark in Venray combines an 11-hectare landscape park and nature area with a centre for contemporary art. Three exhibitions of contemporary art are presented there each year; lectures, workshops and concerts also take place. On the first Sunday of each month at 2:00 p.m., Odapark offers a guided tour of the sculpture forest.

Geijsteren Estate covers around 700 hectares, and the Oostrumse Molenbeek stream runs through the estate. A route through the estate leads to St. Willibrordus Chapel, which dates from 1680, and includes the Rosmolen, a former watermill farm complex. The walk through Geijsteren Estate is available in three different lengths. Another section of the route passes through the Boschhuizerbergen area, characterised by drifting sands and juniper trees.

The restored Geijsteren Castle Ruins are open to visitors. Guided visits are possible by prior reservation or as part of the circular walks mentioned above.

Water and nature

In Wanssum, which is part of the Municipality of Venray, the marina has more than 200 modern berths, the necessary facilities and a café with a terrace. Also in Wanssum, which is part of the Municipality of Venray, the reopening of an old branch of the River Maas and other measures created a water-rich natural landscape area called Maaspark Noord-Limburg. It has walking and hiking trails as well as stepping stones across streams.

Outdoor activities in Venray and the surrounding church villages include canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and boating.

Getting there

Venray can be reached by train via the Maaslijn railway line. Several bus routes run from Venray railway station to the centre and other locations in Venray.

Other places at this destination level: Geijsteren, Venray, Oostrum, Blitterswijck, Veulen, Merselo, Wanssum, Ysselsteyn, Smakt.

To the overview of higher-level destinations: Limburg.