Koningsplein 10 Mansion

At Koningsplein 10 stands a stately townhouse that embodies more than 150 years of Asten’s history. Where a listed building now stands, there used to be small cottages and a tannery. A fire in 1876 destroyed the cottages, after which the council bought the site and planned new developments. Around 1879, the new post and telegraph office was built on this site, a name that can still be seen – in part – on the façade when the sun is low.

From 1882 onwards, the postmasters lived here. The ground floor of the building comprises a small office, a conservatory and a kitchen. Upstairs there are four rooms and a large attic. The building remained a post and telegraph office until 1920, after which the post office moved to the Markt.

It was then given a new purpose: the mayor’s residence. Mayor Willem Wijnen, who lived here from 1922 to 1944, deserves a special mention. On the occasion of his 25th anniversary in office in 1935, the townspeople presented him with a fountain, which was installed on Koningsplein (unfortunately, the original no longer exists; a replica stands on Burgemeester Ruttenplein).

The tragedy of 1944

During the Second World War, Wijnen refused to nominate residents of Asten for forced labour. He believed that this ‘did not serve the Dutch interest’ and did not give in, even under pressure. On the night of 14–15 August 1944, the Germans dragged him and his fellow mayor, Piet Smulders of Someren, from their beds, abducted them and executed both mayors in cold blood on the Kanaaldijk Zuid in Someren. The murder deeply shocked Asten. After the war, Wijnen was remembered as a man who remained true to his conscience, even when doing so put his life in mortal danger. For the past few years, a Stolperstein has been laid in front of Koningsplein 10, ensuring that passers-by do not forget his name and his courage. Today, the listed building is a private residence.