Where the name comes from
Hendrik van Vianden and castle Vredelant
Bishop Hendrik van Vianden granted Vreeland its town rights in 1265 and built castle Vredelant there. Our restaurants carry his name.
Hendrik van Vianden was provost of Cologne and bishop of Utrecht. He had castle Vredelant built as a border stronghold between Utrecht and Holland, placed to keep the peace. A settlement grew around the castle, and when a church followed, Vredelant received town rights, with the right to hold a market and levy tolls.
In 1279 the castle was besieged by count Floris V of Holland, while the lords of Amstel defended it. Today the archaeological monument lies under the grass of the Sperwerveld in Vreeland.
The great market stood on the main axis of the town, in today’s Breedstraat, where we are. The rectangular street plan of the bastide is still there after eight centuries.
Our bar menu carries his name too: Van Vianden.
