Aardenburg
Aardenburg is a small city (population as of 2001: 2,130) close to the Dutch border with Belgium. It is part of the Sluis Municipality, located in the province of Zeeland. Its original name was Rodenburgh (Red Castle).
Aardenburg houses the most complete example of the Scheldegotiek, the Sint-Baafskerk. It is also still possible today to see remains of some of the fortifications that used to enclose the city.
History
Aardenburg was granted city rights in 1127 and is thus one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and is the oldest city in Zealand.Archeologist haves found proof of settlement as early as 4500 BC. After the Second World War restorations to damaged buildings uncovered fragments of Roman rooftiles, of which some bear the markings of a Roman military post, as well as black vases and Roman sandals. The most significant find, however, was that of a Roman building with a foundation of 18 by 10 meters. The Roman Castellum was in use from 175 to 270 AD.
On top of the foundations of this Roman building there were the remains of a Medieval building, which was destroyed in 1383 according to later accounts.
Until January 1, 2003, Aardenburg was in the municipality of Sluis-Aardenburg.