Recently I was in Roermond and came across a beautiful love story from the 19th century.
Love against all odds
In the 19th century, the paths of a Catholic noblewoman, Josephine van Afferden, and a Protestant soldier, Jacobus van Gorkum, cross. The noble lady falls in love with the officer who fights against Napoleon's troops and receives the Military Order of William for this. Although Jacobus rises to the rank of major general, he is of ordinary descent. Their love is therefore overshadowed by differences in religion, status and wealth.
Indestructible bond
Yet it does not stop them from celebrating their love and they get married. After a life full of love, Jacobus dies in 1880 and is buried in the Protestant cemetery of Roermond. In a strange place: against the wall that marks the separation between the Protestant and the Catholic cemetery. Josephine dies eight years later and is buried on the other side of the wall in the Catholic cemetery. And there, amidst the division over faith and traditions, the true love story unfolds; the graves of both lovers are connected by two hands, intertwined and reaching over the wall, as a symbol of their indestructible bond.
Believe in the power of love
Their love not only transcended the barriers of faith and social status, but even reached beyond the borders of death. The ‘grave with the two hands’ remains intact, as if to inspire us to believe in the power of love. The power to build bridges and connect us on a deeper level.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
P.S. Are you planning to come to Roermond and are you still looking for a place to stay? Then consider an overnight stay in our Airstream caravan. You probably know it from the TV program All you need is love, only ours is a lot bigger. Equipped with all the luxury to make your stay an unforgettable experience. Book now via the website of Glamping aan de Maas.
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