Editing Venlo (section)

=== Early history ===
[[File:RivierenkaartVenlo.jpg|thumb|left|Map circa 1850]]
Roman and Celtic coins have been found in Venlo; it was speculated to have been the settlement known as ''[[Sablones]]'' on the Roman road connecting [[Maastricht]] with [[Xanten]], but the little evidence there is concerning the location of Sablones speaks against this thought while there is no evidence in support of it. Blerick, on the west bank, was known as ''Blariacum''.

Documents from the 9th century mention Venlo as a trade post; it developed into one of the more important ones in the [[Meuse]]-[[Rhine]] area, receiving [[City rights in the Netherlands|city rights]] in 1343, and becoming a member of the [[Hanseatic League]] in 1375.
 
Because of its strategic importance, the city of Venlo was besieged several times. The most significant siege was that of 1702, carried on by [[Menno van Coehoorn]]. Consequently, Venlo was incorporated into the [[Generaliteitslanden]] of the [[Dutch Republic|United Provinces]] at the [[Peace of Utrecht|Treaty of 1713]]. After the [[Napoleonic Wars]] it became part of the [[United Kingdom of the Netherlands]].

In 1839-1866 Venlo was not a part of [[German Confederation]], completely surrounded by its territory.