Mijlpijlen

Mijlpijlen are milestone markers along roads that indicate the distance to towns and other destinations. The term is Dutch, and the plural mijlpijlen is used to describe signs on both historic and modern roads. Distances are typically shown in kilometers in the Netherlands and Belgium, while older or rural examples may display miles.

Most mijlpijl designs consist of a post or pillar, sometimes with an arrow-shaped plate or carved inscription. The signs may be made of stone, metal, or wood, and can bear the name of the destination, the distance, and occasionally the year of installation or the municipality. The appearance varies by region and era, reflecting local architectural styles and materials.

Historically, milestone markers served as navigational aids within road networks before the widespread adoption of standardized signage. In the modern era they have largely been supplanted by metric distance signs, and many mijlpijlen have been removed, relocated, or degraded. Surviving examples are valued as cultural heritage and can be found along historic routes, in rural areas, or in museums.

Preservation efforts vary by country and region, with some mijlpijlen protected as historical artifacts or integrated into heritage landscapes. They are often cited in discussions of historical road infrastructure and regional identity, illustrating how travelers once estimated distance and travel time before modern signage.

See also: Milestone, Milepost, Waymarker.