Bolwerk Zuid (former Ooster Boulevard) with the HH Martyrs of Gorcum Church. In 1944 front and tower were destroyed by the retreating German army. The church got a modern front designed by Siebers & Van Dael, with little respect for the remaining structure, in 1961, but was demolished in 1987 and replaced by an apartment building.
The former "Rusthuis Avondvrede" at the corner of Le Grandstraat and Bolwerk. 'Avond' means evening and 'vrede' peace. This building was demolished in the seventees and replaced by a rather characterless nursing home.
The street is called after the French colonel Le Grand. This officer served under general Bizanet when Bergen op Zoom, occupied by the French, was attacked by Dutch and British troops in 1814. One year later Le Grand published the book La surprise de Berg-op-Zoom.
The Le Grandstraat was constructed in 1886, laid out on the fortifications by Menno van Coehoorn (1641 - 1704), who considered Bergen op Zoom his masterpiece among all the strongholds he built or modernized, such as Breda, Coevorden, Groningen, Nijmegen and Zwolle.
This postcard was published by Fa. P. Harte.
Photo: still unknown.
www.alberthagenaars.nl
