The ‘burggraaf’ is a canal that ran through the town here. In fact there was a moat that surrounded the old centre of Venray, probably from the twelfth to the sixteenth century. Crossings were built at Grotestraat and Raadhuisstraat, and a bridge stood near here at the intersection of Schoolstraat and Marktstraat. These places were watched over by the men of the town’s three militias: Hof, Eind and Zandakker. They defended the place and kept the peace.
The canal became redundant as a defence with the advent of gunpowder and it was filled with rubble. Burggraaf was filled in around the same time, the final section here is at this site.
If you want to know more about the history of Venray, then Venray’s museum is the place to be.
NOTE: The spear is located diagonally in front of the entrance of the Petrus Bandenchurch. Along the footpath near a location of Venray Remembers
Also find other Archeo Route Limburg locations