Mauritshuis, Willemstad, West Brabant

Despite its diminutive size, Willemstad is a town.  Small but definitely a town.  A fellow blipper asked me recently 'When is a town a town?'  The answer is 'When it has the right to tax its residents.'  I don't know if that is the same in other European countries and the UK, but that's a good way to define it here in The Neth.  Apparently, the number of inhabitants doesn't really count for very much, if at all.

As with many other very old towns, Willemstad has its share of old buildings, including the windmill.  This building, the Mauritshuis, was built in 1623.  Translated, it means Maurit's House, probably after one of William of Orange's brothers, who supervised the fortifications and defenses.  You see, Willemstad is small because, actually, it is a fort.  The entire town was a garrison.  Eventually, the soldiers were allowed to bring their families along and that's how the town grew.

End of history detour.  Shot this on my way home from work, as you have already probably guessed.  Correction work this evening, which I want done as quickly as possible so that I can begin with the next Marquez book.

THANK YOU for dropping by yesterday!