Geldrop-Mierlo, the youngest municipality of Noord-Brabant
On January 1st, 2004, the merger of the neighbouring municipalities Geldrop and Mierlo has resulted in the new municipality Geldrop-Mierlo: a medium-sized municipality of a good 40,000 residents in the urban area of southeastern Brabant. The municipality Geldrop-Mierlo comprises the core of Geldrop and Mierlo. Geldrop has over 28,000 residents and is therefore the largest core in terms of population. Although Mierlo has fewer residents – over 10,000 – it has a considerably larger surface area (18.09 hectares) than Geldrop. In total, the municipality Geldrop-Mierlo measures 31,90 hectares. Geldrop-Mierlo is multifaceted; this characteristic is also portrayed in the logo of the municipality. The logo symbolises two cores that distinguish themselves from each other while they also complement each other: Mierlo, the municipality with lots of greenery and its rural character; Geldrop, characterised by industry throughout its history, but with an urban character. Together they form a comfortable entity. Proud and self-confident!
Facilities
The municipality boasts good facilities in the sphere of education. Both cores have sufficient playgroups and primary schools; Geldrop also has a school for special education and secondary education (Strabrecht College). Geldrop-Mierlo also has care facilities: nursing homes and the St. Annaziekenhuis (hospital). The municipality offers a range of leisure and recreational activities; you can find countless indoor and outdoor sports accommodations: both cores also have a flourishing club life. And of course, in Geldrop and Mierlo you will find all (shopping) facilities, such as post offices, banks, supermarkets and attractive shops.
Business life
Thanks to its location between the two most important industrial cities of southeast Brabant, over the last decades the Mierlo core has developed into a commuter community. Most of the Mierlo population commutes to Eindhoven and Helmond on a daily basis. The agrarian character that Mierlo had in earlier days is only evident to a small extent in the outskirts. So Mierlo forms a lesser part of the core of the Geldrop working community. A small part of the population earns a living in agriculture and horticulture. Towards the end of the summer, bean- and cornfields form the scene of the outskirts, followed by Brussels sprouts in the fall. Many of the agricultural and horticultural products are still sold via its own Mierlo auction, De Kerseboom. A name that reminds one of the illustrious cherry history of the village, which is primarily known for the cherry variety “Mierlose Zwarte”. Just like the rest of Eastern Brabant, Mierlo has quite a few intensive cattle farms, where mostly pigs and chickens are fattened up. There are also jobs in the retail trade, the service sector and in industry. Industrial parks De Smaale and Oudven are located on the industrial grounds. Thanks to its location between the two most important industrial cities of southeast Brabant, over the last decades the Mierlo core has developed into a commuter community. Most of the Mierlo population commutes to Eindhoven and Helmond on a daily basis. The agrarian character that Mierlo had in earlier days is only evident to a small extent in the outskirts. So Mierlo forms a lesser part of the core of the Geldrop working community. A small part of the population earns a living in agriculture and horticulture. Towards the end of the summer, bean- and cornfields form the scene of the outskirts, followed by Brussels sprouts in the fall. Many of the agricultural and horticultural products are still sold via its own Mierlo auction, De Kerseboom. A name that reminds one of the illustrious cherry history of the village, which is primarily known for the cherry variety “Mierlose Zwarte”. Just like the rest of Eastern Brabant, Mierlo has quite a few intensive cattle farms, where mostly pigs and chickens are fattened up. There are also jobs in the retail trade, the service sector and in industry. Industrial parks De Smaale and Oudven are located on the industrial grounds.
Places of interest
Geldrop Castle The central part of the castle was built in 1616 on the old foundations of a 14th-century fortress. It is situated in a lovely park in English landscape style in the middle of the heart of Geldrop (Mierloseweg 1). All around the castle, which, after a number of years, may now be called a historic country estate, you can find a number of other national monuments. For example, Baron z’n Hof features a Victorian greenhouse and an Orangery, both of which are still in use. Next to the castle is the former coach house, where the IVN (Nature and Environmental Eduction) offers exhibition space. The castle also features the wedding room of the municipality of Geldrop. A number of 19th-century ‘style rooms’ in the castle are hired as party- or meeting rooms. It is definitely worth the effort to visit the Antiquities’ Room, where historic objects have been donated by Geldrop residents. It also boasts scores of documents and photographs of historic significance. Visual arts are on display on the second floor in the exhibition halls.
Flour mill ‘t Nupke Flour mill ‘t Nupke (‘nupke’ means a rise, a sort of bump in the landscape, among other things) near the Molenakker in Geldrop was built in 1843. It is a so-called Beltmolen (a windmill with a raised foot). The municipality purchased the windmill in 1978 in order to preserve the monument. After it was restored, the windmill was officially put into use again in 1980.
Old Town Hall The Old Town Hall (Het Oude Raadhuis) on the Dorpsstraat in Mierlo was built in 1806 according to a design by Mierlo resident P. van Driel. In keeping with departmental regulations from the French era, the building also housed the rural policeman’s room, the lockup and the fire engine. The building was actually used as a town hall until 1963. Since the restoration in 1990, it serves as a wedding room; the local history circle and the Travel Information Office are located in the building as well. The Old Town Hall is for the most part in its authentic state.
St. Brigidakerk (church) On the place where the St. Brigidakerk now stands, a church was probably built in the 14th century, commissioned by Mr. Geldrop. In 1627 the church partially collapsed. In the second half of the 19th century it was decided to clear away the church and build a new one. Architect C. Weber from Roermond completed the present St. Brigida domed church in 1891, which was built in Roman Gothic style.
Post-mill The half-closed wooden post-mill, which is kept turning by volunteer millers, previously stood on the de Molenheide and was the property of the Heren van Mierlo (Gentlemen of Mierlo). In 1855 the mill was purchased by Anna Branten-Doers and moved to the village. You will find the mill on the Dorpsstraat in Mierlo.
TV tower A particularly striking building in Mierlo is the TV tower of the PTT. The tower was built in 1961 and has a height of 105 metres. Nowadays, in addition TV connections, the tower is used for all sorts of radio-beam links from KPN Telecom.
Opening hours of the Town Hall and the location in Mierlo: - All departments Monday-Friday from 9.00-12.30. - Population Affairs Department Monday-Friday from 9.00 -12.30, Wednesday 12.30 -16.00; Monday evening and Thursday evening from 18.00 -20.00. - You can visit the Town Hall outside of these times by appointment.
Cultural centres
Het Patronaat Het Patronaat (The Patronate) in Mierlo, donated by Countess d’Alcantara in 1913, is a protected national monument. The municipal board of the former municipality of Mierlo wanted to have a multifunctional accommodation in Mierlo, and designated the old Patronaat for this purpose. After a large-scale expansion, Het Patronaat was put into use again on 2 October 2004. It is now a social-cultural accommodation that can serve a wide range of purposes. For example, the parochial ladies’ and gentlemen's choir, a day-care centre, the Zonnebloem (Sunflower), which makes efforts for people with physical handicaps, the Play-o-theque, the diabetes service and the First Aid team use the Patronaat. Yoga, folk dance and tap dancing lessons are given, and singing, cabaret and theatre performances are held regularly.
Social Cultureel Centrum Hofdael (Social Cultural Centre Hofdael) In 2002 the Social Cultural Centre Hofdael in Geldrop was completed; it is an accommodation with lots of room for social, cultural, creative and recreational activities. Two old monumental buildings that form part of the centre offer space for the Weverijmuseum (Weaving Museum) and Creativiteitscentrum (Creativity Centre) De Wiele. The newly constructed section offers accommodations for the Geldrop Music School, the Geldrop Volksuniversiteit (Adult Education Centre), the Regional Training Centre, the National Foundation for Home Economics Extension Work and Guidance, and the Geldrop Royal Brass Band. They can use the practice-, study- and exhibition rooms. In addition, the centre has set up a number of spaces that can be hired by various groups and associations. Theatrical performances, concerts and such are regularly given in the Great Hall of Social Cultural Centre Hofdael.
