Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Eighty Years' War

Since 1265 Ostend is known as a "town". It was located at the "eastern end" of an island, named Testerep. As the coastline was pretty unstable, a new Ostend was founded futher inland, behind dikes. Ostend was frequently taken, ransacked and destroyed by conquering armies. The Dutch Gueuzen took control of the town. The following siege (1601 to 1604) by Spanish troops ended in the bloodiest battle of the Eighty Years' War, costing more than 80.000 dead or wounded. When, after the War of the Spanish Succession, Ostend belonged to the Austrian Empire, Charles VI founded the "Oostendse Compagnie" in 1722, that had a trade monopoly with Africa and the Far-East and was allowed to found colonies overseas. But only five years later the "Compagnie" was forced to stop its activities because of Dutch and British pressure. Since Belgium existed in 1930 Ostend prospered. In 1838 a railway connected the twon with Brussels and Ostend became a transit harbour to England. Belgian kings Leopold I and Leopold II liked to spend their holidays here and the aristocratic Belgium followed. Posh villas were built and by end of the 19th century Ostend was known as "the queen of the Belgian sea-side resorts". Ostend was an elegant "Belle Epoque Town. This ended in WWI and WWII, as both wars brought destruction to Ostend. This devastation plus the rise of mass tourism in the 1960s and 1970s changed the architecture of Ostend. A small beauty, squeezed between modern buildings.

Since 1265 Ostend is known as a "town". It was located at the "eastern end" of an island, named Testerep. As the coastline was pretty unstable, a new Ostend was founded futher inland, behind dikes. Ostend was frequently taken, ransacked and destroyed by conquering armies. The Dutch Gueuzen took control of the town. The following siege (1601 to 1604) by Spanish troops ended in the bloodiest battle of the Eighty Years' War, costing more than 80.000 dead or wounded. When, after the War of the Spanish Succession, Ostend belonged to the Austrian Empire, Charles VI founded the "Oostendse Compagnie" in 1722, that had a trade monopoly with Africa and the Far-East and was allowed to found colonies overseas. But only five years later the "Compagnie" was forced to stop its activities because of Dutch and British pressure. Since Belgium existed in 1930 Ostend prospered. In 1838 a railway connected the twon with Brussels and Ostend became a transit harbour to England. Belgian kings Leopold I and Leopold II liked to spend their holidays here and the aristocratic Belgium followed. Posh villas were built and by end of the 19th century Ostend was known as "the queen of the Belgian sea-side resorts". Ostend was an elegant "Belle Epoque Town. This ended in WWI and WWII, as both wars brought destruction to Ostend. This devastation plus the rise of mass tourism in the 1960s and 1970s changed the architecture of Ostend. This modern building from end of the 1920s / early 1930 survived WW2 and the property boom of the 1960/70s.

Since 1265 Ostend is known as a "town". It was located at the "eastern end" of an island, named Testerep. As the coastline was pretty unstable, a new Ostend was founded futher inland, behind dikes. Ostend was frequently taken, ransacked and destroyed by conquering armies. The Dutch Gueuzen took control of the town. The following siege (1601 to 1604) by Spanish troops ended in the bloodiest battle of the Eighty Years' War, costing more than 80.000 dead or wounded. When, after the War of the Spanish Succession, Ostend belonged to the Austrian Empire, Charles VI founded the "Oostendse Compagnie" in 1722, that had a trade monopoly with Africa and the Far-East and was allowed to found colonies overseas. But only five years later the "Compagnie" was forced to stop its activities because of Dutch and British pressure. Since Belgium existed in 1930 Ostend prospered. In 1838 a railway connected the twon with Brussels and Ostend became a transit harbour to England. Belgian kings Leopold I and Leopold II liked to spend their holidays here and the aristocratic Belgium followed. Posh villas were built and by end of the 19th century Ostend was known as "the queen of the Belgian sea-side resorts". Ostend was an elegant "Belle Epoque" Town. This ended in WWI and WWII, as both wars brought destruction to Ostend. This devastation plus the rise of mass tourism in the 1960s and 1970s changed the architecture of Ostend. Of course, such an elegant sea-side resort had a passage for the affluent visitors end of the 19th century.

Since 1265 Ostend is known as a "town". It was located at the "eastern end" of an island, named Testerep. As the coastline was pretty unstable, a new Ostend was founded futher inland, behind dikes. Ostend was frequently taken, ransacked and destroyed by conquering armies. The Dutch Gueuzen took control of the town. The following siege (1601 to 1604) by Spanish troops ended in the bloodiest battle of the Eighty Years' War, costing more than 80.000 dead or wounded. When, after the War of the Spanish Succession, Ostend belonged to the Austrian Empire, Charles VI founded the "Oostendse Compagnie" in 1722, that had a trade monopoly with Africa and the Far-East and was allowed to found colonies overseas. But only five years later the "Compagnie" was forced to stop its activities because of Dutch and British pressure. Since Belgium existed in 1930 Ostend prospered. In 1838 a railway connected the twon with Brussels and Ostend became a transit harbour to England. Belgian kings Leopold I and Leopold II liked to spend their holidays here and the aristocratic Belgium followed. Posh villas were built and by end of the 19th century Ostend was known as "the queen of the Belgian sea-side resorts". Ostend was an elegant "Belle Epoque Town. This ended in WWI and WWII, as both wars brought destruction to Ostend. This devastation plus the rise of mass tourism in the 1960s and 1970s changed the architecture of Ostend. The café "Fats Domino" is located in an old building dating to the end of the 19th century.

Since 1265 Ostend is known as a "town". It was located at the "eastern end" of an island, named Testerep. As the coastline was pretty unstable, a new Ostend was founded futher inland, behind dikes. Ostend was frequently taken, ransacked and destroyed by conquering armies. The Dutch Gueuzen took control of the town. The following siege (1601 to 1604) by Spanish troops ended in the bloodiest battle of the Eighty Years' War, costing more than 80.000 dead or wounded. When, after the War of the Spanish Succession, Ostend belonged to the Austrian Empire, Charles VI founded the "Oostendse Compagnie" in 1722, that had a trade monopoly with Africa and the Far-East and was allowed to found colonies overseas. But only five years later the "Compagnie" was forced to stop its activities because of Dutch and British pressure. Since Belgium existed in 1930 Ostend prospered. In 1838 a railway connected the twon with Brussels and Ostend became a transit harbour to England. Belgian kings Leopold I and Leopold II liked to spend their holidays here and the aristocratic Belgium followed. Posh villas were built and by end of the 19th century Ostend was known as "the queen of the Belgian sea-side resorts". Ostend was an elegant "Belle Epoque Town. This ended in WWI and WWII, as both wars brought destruction to Ostend. This devastation plus the rise of mass tourism in the 1960s and 1970s changed the architecture of Ostend. Many of the old historical building, dating back to the "Belle Epoque", have "lost" their ground floor when shops moved in or existing ones got modernized. Sometimes these conversions lack sensibility.

Since 1265 Ostend is known as a "town". It was located at the "eastern end" of an island, named Testerep. As the coastline was pretty unstable, a new Ostend was founded futher inland, behind dikes. Ostend was frequently taken, ransacked and destroyed by conquering armies. The Dutch Gueuzen took control of the town. The following siege (1601 to 1604) by Spanish troops ended in the bloodiest battle of the Eighty Years' War, costing more than 80.000 dead or wounded. When, after the War of the Spanish Succession, Ostend belonged to the Austrian Empire, Charles VI founded the "Oostendse Compagnie" in 1722, that had a trade monopoly with Africa and the Far-East and was allowed to found colonies overseas. But only five years later the "Compagnie" was forced to stop its activities because of Dutch and British pressure. Since Belgium existed in 1930 Ostend prospered. In 1838 a railway connected the twon with Brussels and Ostend became a transit harbour to England. Belgian kings Leopold I and Leopold II liked to spend their holidays here and the aristocratic Belgium followed. Posh villas were built and by end of the 19th century Ostend was known as "the queen of the Belgian sea-side resorts". Ostend was an elegant "Belle Epoque Town. This ended in WWI and WWII, as both wars brought destruction to Ostend. This devastation plus the rise of mass tourism in the 1960s and 1970s changed the architecture of Ostend. Many of the old historical building, dating back to the "Belle Epoque", have "lost" their ground floor when shops moved in or existing ones got modernized. Sometimes these conversions lack any sensibility. The old inscription reads "PHARMACIE AL ELEPHANT".

Since 1265 Ostend is known as a "town". It was located at the "eastern end" of an island, named Testerep. As the coastline was pretty unstable, a new Ostend was founded futher inland, behind dikes. Ostend was frequently taken, ransacked and destroyed by conquering armies. The Dutch Gueuzen took control of the town. The following siege (1601 to 1604) by Spanish troops ended in the bloodiest battle of the Eighty Years' War, costing more than 80.000 dead or wounded. When, after the War of the Spanish Succession, Ostend belonged to the Austrian Empire, Charles VI founded the "Oostendse Compagnie" in 1722, that had a trade monopoly with Africa and the Far-East and was allowed to found colonies overseas. But only five years later the "Compagnie" was forced to stop its activities because of Dutch and British pressure. Since Belgium existed in 1930 Ostend prospered. In 1838 a railway connected the twon with Brussels and Ostend became a transit harbour to England. Belgian kings Leopold I and Leopold II liked to spend their holidays here and the aristocratic Belgium followed. Posh villas were built and by end of the 19th century Ostend was known as "the queen of the Belgian sea-side resorts". Ostend was an elegant "Belle Epoque Town. This ended in WWI and WWII, as both wars brought destruction to Ostend. This devastation plus the rise of mass tourism in the 1960s and 1970s changed the architecture of Ostend. A well restored art nouveau jewel between high rise apartment blocks. Most of these apartments have "seaview" and are holiday apartments.

Since 1265 Ostend is known as a "town". It was located at the "eastern end" of an island, named Testerep. As the coastline was pretty unstable, a new Ostend was founded futher inland, behind dikes. Ostend was frequently taken, ransacked and destroyed by conquering armies. The Dutch Gueuzen took control of the town. The following siege (1601 to 1604) by Spanish troops ended in the bloodiest battle of the Eighty Years' War, costing more than 80.000 dead or wounded. When, after the War of the Spanish Succession, Ostend belonged to the Austrian Empire, Charles VI founded the "Oostendse Compagnie" in 1722, that had a trade monopoly with Africa and the Far-East and was allowed to found colonies overseas. But only five years later the "Compagnie" was forced to stop its activities because of Dutch and British pressure. Since Belgium existed in 1930 Ostend prospered. In 1838 a railway connected the twon with Brussels and Ostend became a transit harbour to England. Belgian kings Leopold I and Leopold II liked to spend their holidays here and the aristocratic Belgium followed. Posh villas were built and by end of the 19th century Ostend was known as "the queen of the Belgian sea-side resorts". Ostend was an elegant "Belle Epoque Town. This ended in WWI and WWII, as both wars brought destruction to Ostend. This devastation plus the rise of mass tourism in the 1960s and 1970s changed the architecture of Ostend. The once nice ensemble is pretty run down. Over the "Friture Kombuis" the inscription "Villa Rembrandt" is still visible.

Since 1265 Ostend is known as a "town". It was located at the "eastern end" of an island, named Testerep. As the coastline was pretty unstable, a new Ostend was founded futher inland, behind dikes. Ostend was frequently taken, ransacked and destroyed by conquering armies. The Dutch Gueuzen took control of the town. The following siege (1601 to 1604) by Spanish troops ended in the bloodiest battle of the Eighty Years' War, costing more than 80.000 dead or wounded. When, after the War of the Spanish Succession, Ostend belonged to the Austrian Empire, Charles VI founded the "Oostendse Compagnie" in 1722, that had a trade monopoly with Africa and the Far-East and was allowed to found colonies overseas. But only five years later the "Compagnie" was forced to stop its activities because of Dutch and British pressure. Since Belgium existed in 1930 Ostend prospered. In 1838 a railway connected the twon with Brussels and Ostend became a transit harbour to England. Belgian kings Leopold I and Leopold II liked to spend their holidays here and the aristocratic Belgium followed. Posh villas were built and by end of the 19th century Ostend was known as "the queen of the Belgian sea-side resorts". Ostend was an elegant "Belle Epoque Town. This ended in WWI and WWII, as both wars brought destruction to Ostend. This devastation plus the rise of mass tourism in the 1960s and 1970s changed the architecture of Ostend. The Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk was built after the previous church on this site had burned down. King Leopold II supported the erection of the large Neo-Gothic church, consecrated in 1908.

1648 a peace treaty was signed in this town hall, a second one was signed in neighboring Muenster. Both forming the "Peace of Westphalia", that ended the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) in the Holy Roman Empire, and the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648) between Spain and the Netherlands. The treaties ended as well diplomatic conference, that lasted five years. Muenster housed the catholic parties, Osnabrueck the protestant parties. This "pax universalis" gave orientation to european history upto the french revolution. The building on the right was the public weigh house, built 1532. In the sky on the very right is a gargoyle of the lutherian St. Mary church (used be the swedish delegation during the peace-conference). Like the town hall, the weigh house and most other houses around the market it was bombed and burnt down during WWII. The whole area was rebuilt in the 1950s.

Muenster, the cultural centre of Westphalia, is a city with a population of more than 250.000 of which nearly 50.000 are students at the University of Muenster. This surely helped Muenster to gain the status of the "bicycle capital of Germany". Charlemagne sent out St. Ludger in 792 to evangelise the area, so Ludger founded a school here and later was the first bishop of Muenster. During medieval times Muenster was a leading member of the Hanseatic League. The wealth can still be seen in the gothic architecture of the merchant´s houses. The devasting Thirty Years' War was ended here. Over a period of four years the parties negotiated here and at Osnabrueck (50kms to the north). Finally in 1648 the "Peace of Muenster" was signed in this town hall, part of what became known as the "Peace of Westphalia". Actually the treaty was signed in two places. Here and in the town hall of Osnabrueck. The "Peace of Westphalia" ended as well the "Eighty Years' War" between the Spanish empire - and some provinces of "Habsburg Netherlands". This created the independent "Republic of the Seven United Netherlands", today known as "Kingdom of the Netherlands". Actually most of the town hall was rebuilt after WWII, as not much was left after the bombings. The facade is original, as it had been removed in the 1940s and stored as a puzzle on a safe place. In case you will follow the shots I took in Muenster: This is the place, where the Muenster Rebellion ended, as here stood the scaffold in 1535.