Huissen

Huissen lies between Arnhem and Nijmegen, in the Betuwe, in the province of Gelderland, and its history is closely tied to the Second World War. It is now part of the municipality of Lingewaard. The town stands near the Nederrijn, the Lower Rhine, in an area that was a front line in the autumn of 1944, after the airborne landings at Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. Much of the population was evacuated, and the town suffered damage from shelling and fighting. Canadian forces liberated the area in the last months of the war. The Battle of the Reichswald, fought in February 1945 in the forest just across the German border, was part of the Allied push that followed, and the memory of these events is part of Huissen’s identity. The town was rebuilt after the war and has since grown into a busy residential community.

The main attractions of Huissen are tied to its history and its surroundings. The Liberation Monument, the Vrijheidsmonument, honours those who fought for freedom, and commemorations are held in the town each year, attended by veterans and local residents. The Huissen Museum gives information on the history of the town, including life before the war, the war years and the reconstruction. The Protestantse Kerk is among the historic buildings of the centre, which has narrow streets and traditional Dutch houses that reflect its heritage. In the 19th century Huissen was an unusual place in that it had long belonged to a different state before joining the Netherlands in 1816.

Beyond history, Huissen offers outdoor activities. The Nederrijn gives views and chances for walking and cycling along the dikes and riverbanks. The Betuwe is known for its fruit orchards, and visitors can follow guided or self-guided routes through the countryside to see the blossom in spring and the harvest in autumn. The nearby Reichswald forest, across the border in Germany, is a popular place for hiking and cycling, with trails through woods and open fields. The landscape also gives chances to see birds on the river floodplains in winter.

Huissen’s position between the two cities makes it a good base. Nijmegen, with its Roman history and student life, and Arnhem, with its museums, parks and war history, are both close, while Huissen keeps its own quieter character.

Getting to Huissen is straightforward. Buses connect the town with Arnhem and Nijmegen and with the railway stations of both cities, and local buses serve the surrounding villages. By car, the A12 and A50 motorways are close. Parking is easy in the centre.

The best time to visit Huissen is in spring, from April to May, when the fruit orchards are in bloom and the landscape is at its prettiest. Autumn is also pleasant, with harvest festivals and colourful foliage. Summer offers warm weather for outdoor activities, while winter can be cold and damp, but historic cafes and museums keep a cosy atmosphere.

A visit can be built around a morning in the town and its museum, an afternoon on the river dike and an evening back in Arnhem or Nijmegen, which keeps the plan simple and flexible.

In short, Huissen offers a peaceful retreat for those interested in history, nature and traditional Dutch life in the Betuwe, with an important chapter of the story of the Allied advance in Western Europe on its doorstep.