Martin tower Liberation routesThe Martinus tower in the small town of Gennep is a permanent reminder of WW2 and lets us know that peace and freedom cannot be taken for granted. It is the only tower on the Meuse River from Mook to Roermond that survived the war. When retreating behind the Meuse, the Wehrmacht blew up the church towers on the left bank of the Meuse and placed lookouts in the towers on the right bank of the Meuse. These towers were then smashed by Allied artillery. All but one: the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/787/martinus-tower">Gennep's Martinus tower</a>.The tower was on the front line from September 1944 to February 1945. Had one been in the spire in September 1944, one would have seen thousands of paratroopers and hundreds of Gliders land over neighbouring Groesbeek as part of Operation Market Garden. On 8 February, the front moved again. More than 1,000 guns shelled the neighbouring Reichswald forest and one could have watched from the tower as a roller of steel and fire swept across the great forest. Operation Veritable, the last major battle on the western front, had begun.Today, the Martinus Tower is a visitor centre with many reminders of this time. In particular, the Martinus Tower Liberation Routes, with starting and finishing points at the Martinus Tower, show the numerous traces of the tough battle in the region. The routes include the largest and second largest war museums in the Netherlands (Overloon and Groesbeek). The British Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and Kriegsgräberstätte Donsbrügen, among others, are located in and near the Reichswald. The routes pass numerous monuments and ruins and 14 audio spots/listening boulders tell the special stories at these locations.The 8 Martinustoren Liberation Routes can be found on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://martinustoren.nl/en/liberation-route">Martinustoren website</a>. On the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/12/gennep-and-the-price-of-freedom">Liberation Route website</a>, one can find another special route: Gennep and the price of freedom.The routes go through 4 beautiful Natura 2000 landscapes: the St Jansberg, the Reichswald, the Maasduinen and the Maasheggen.Entry to the Martinustoren visitor centre is free.&nbsp;Gennep's Martinus tower<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/787/martinus-tower">https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/787/martinus-tower</a>Martin tower Liberation routes<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://martinustoren.nl/en/liberation-route">https://martinustoren.nl/en/liberation-route</a>Gennep and the price of freedom<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/12/gennep-and-the-price-of-freedom">https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/12/gennep-and-the-price-of-freedom</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Netherlands

Martin tower Liberation routes

Half-marathon across both banks of the Meuse between the bridges at Grave and Heumen, which were of great importance during World War II. Entry fee: €15.00.

Bridge2Bridgerun

<h4>Part 1: Smuggling Reenactment &amp; Procession (26 April, 1-4pm)</h4>Feel the pulse of history as a dramatic boat-smuggling reenactment unfolds. Join the procession from Norman’s Warehouse to Gorey Pier, following a horse-drawn cart symbolizing wartime escapes. Along the way, musical performances will bring the story to life, with stops at Georgetown, Grouville Church, and Gorey Church.After D-Day, brave Jersey men risked their lives to escape Nazi-occupied Jersey for France. Relive this compelling history as musicians and reenactors tell their story through song and procession, blending heritage and artistry for an unforgettable afternoon.<hr><h4>Part 2: Granville RIB Adventure &amp; Concert (17 May, 8:30am–1:30pm)</h4>Recreate the daring escape from Jersey to France aboard a high-speed RIB departing Gorey at 8:30am. Cross the Channel to the beautiful port of Granville, where you’ll explore the historic town and attend a stirring event at Notre-Dame de Granville (11:30am–12:15pm). Through dramatic readings and live music, the stories of escapees come vividly to life.Return to Jersey by 1:30pm, but the adventure doesn’t end there! Join us for Part 3, an evening concert at Gouray Church (6pm) where a renowned string quartet will perform a captivating program inspired by the seas.<hr><h4>Part 3: The Gorey Story &amp; Boat Launch (17 May, 6–7:30pm)</h4>End your journey with an emotionally charged concert at Gouray Church featuring acclaimed violinist Harriet Mackenzie, violist Dorothea Vogel, and cellist Urška Horvat. Immerse yourself in hauntingly beautiful music inspired by the courage of those who fled Jersey by boat between 1944-1945.As night falls, witness the ceremonial launch of the escape boat at Gorey Harbour (7:30pm), a symbolic tribute to the spirit of resilience and hope that defined this pivotal time in history.<hr>✨ Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime journey into history, brought to life with music, adventure, and storytelling.📅 For Tickets: Call 01534 761767 or visit <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.musicjersey.com">www.musicjersey.com</a>.

Martin tower Liberation routes

Bridge2Bridgerun

Escape to France: A Three-part Experience

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Martin tower Liberation routes

Bridge2Bridgerun

Escape to France: A Three-part Experience

Register your event on Europe Remembers