Berlicum

• Name — Berlicum • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — Netherlands • Subdivision Type1 — Province • Subdivision Name1 — North Brabant • Subdivision Type2 — Municipality • Subdivision Name2 — Sint-Michielsgestel • Elevation M — 19 • Area Total Km2 — 8.31 • Population Total — 3,400 • Population As Of — 2021 • Population Density Km2 — auto • Timezone — CET • Utc Offset — +1 • Timezone Dst — CEST • Utc Offset Dst — +2 • Postal Code Type — Postal code • Postal Code — 5258 • Area Code Type — Dialing code • Area Code — 073 • Blank Name Sec1 — Transport • Blank1 Name Sec1 — Major roads • Blank1 Info Sec1 — A59, A2, N279

The historic town centre is 'Raadhuisplein' (town hall square), on the northwestern edge of the town. The square is dominated by the neoclassical former town hall, known as 'De Plaets' (1845). Another notable building at the square is former mayor's mansion at number 18, with its distinctly white facade. Behind the former town hall is the Protestant 'Samen-op-Weg' church, a national monument dating back to the 14th century. The building was originally a Roman Catholic church under the care of priests from the nearby norbertine Berne Abbey. It became a Protestant church in 1648, when the region became part of the Dutch Republic after the Peace of Westphalia. Under the peace treaty, Catholics were allowed to exercise their religion in private. A clandestine church was built in 1676. In 1837, this church was replaced by a neogotical church building. Funding was provided by a government programme to compensate the loss of historically catholic church buildings during the Reformation period. The new church, named after Saint Peter ('R.K. Sint-Petruskerk') and located at Kerkwijk 44, was subsequently enlarged several times. Both churches were heavily damaged during Operation Market Garden at the end of the Second World War, along with many other historic buildings in Berlicum, but were restored after the war. The new Saint Peter's church was substantially smaller than its predecessor and was provided with a traditionalist facade. An additional catholic church in neoromanesque style was built in the nearby village of Middelrode.

After the Second World War, Berlicum became a commuter town. In the 1970s a modern shopping centre, 'Mercuriusplein' square, was created in the geographical heart of the town. Most of the retail stores, three supermarkets and a weekly food market are located here. On the northern side of the square is the new town hall, established in 1982 and in use until the municipal reorganisation in 1996. The building was then transformed into apartments and stores. In the face of secularization and rising maintenance costs, the diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch decided to close the church of Saint Peter in 2012. Catholic religious services are now provided at the Sacraments church in Middelrode.

The N279 highway along the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal connects the town with the two major commercial and industrial hubs in the region: 's-Hertogenbosch to the northwest and Veghel to the southeast. Regular public transport between these cities is provided by Arriva bus line 158, which has multiple stops in Berlicum.

• Herman de Man (1898–1946), novelist • Miriam Oremans (1972), tennis player • Esther Verhoef (1968), writer • Jordens Peters (1987), soccer player • Romijn Conen (1967), actor • Henriëtte Ronner-Knip (1821–1909), painter • Stef Doedée (1987), soccer goalkeeper

• Illustration — Berlicum, former town hall (De Plaets) • Illustration — Berlicum, Protestant church • Illustration — Berlicum, former mayor's mansion • Illustration — Berlicum, municipality in 1866 • Illustration — Berlicum, Saint Peter's church in 1933