Millen is a small, but historically not unimportant church village in the municipality of Selfkant (Germany), on the border near Nieuwstadt and Sittard. Millen itself has a rich past, but it has also played its own role in the history of the Netherlands.
The latter also applies to the region and the municipality of which this westernmost village in Germany is part. The Roode Beek, which now flows past Millen, but historically rippled right through the village, has been a state border since 1815.
Millen was split after Napoleon's defeat, separating the village and its castle ever since. On April 29, 1949, Selfkant, and therefore also Millen, was annexed by the Netherlands.
This Dutch period lasted until August 1, 1963, when Selfkant was handed over to Germany again. On the right bank of the Roode Beek is a special church, the interior of which is especially valuable.
This Sint-Nicolaaskerk was originally an early Romanesque hall church built with Maas boulders and is dedicated to Sint-Nicolaas. The church used to belong to the old Castle Millen, of which now only a ruin of the castle tower remains.
The Church of Saint Nicholas is one of the most valuable buildings in the region in terms of art history. It is unique in that it has remained largely unchanged in shape despite multiple modifications. The choir and apse date from around the year 1000.
Today, the exterior of the church is predominantly Romanesque, while the interior is characterized by extensive stucco work on the walls and ceilings, mainly from the 17th century. Because of the relics of St. Quirinus, who is also its namesake, Millen appears as a place of pilgrimage as early as 1126.
The new castle Millen was built in the seventeenth century about a hundred meters from the old castle. The new castle cannot be visited, but can be seen from the road. The ruins of the old castle are partly visible, especially in winter.
This text has been automatically translated using an online translation service.
