Moresnet

The fascinating story of the most peculiar country ever to exist

‘Historical storytelling of the highest order.’ ••••• NRC

Moresnet was the most peculiar country ever to exist. The miniature state, wedged between Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, was created by accident, yet after a few years, its few hundred inhabitants began behaving like a real people. They had their own capital (the village of Kelmis), a ‘head of state’ (the mayor) and a defence force (the lone constable). The freedom Moresnet enjoyed, as well as its extremely low taxes, soon attracted thousands of adventurers from around the world. It became a model of how people from different cultures can coexist peacefully. In fact, some believed that world peace would begin in Moresnet. Dreamers wanted to establish an ideal state in this tiny speck on the map. But just as they were ready to implement their plan, the First World War erupted, and the miniature country was swallowed up.

Author and historian Philip Dröge explores the remarkable story of Moresnet. How did this unlikely little country come into existence? Who lived there and what was life like in this geographical anomaly? Dröge tells a fascinating story about thieves, gamblers, smugglers, miners and a dreamer who wanted to make Moresnet the ideal society – and almost succeeded.

Philip Dröge is a Dutch historian, columnist and journalist. He has written multiple acclaimed and award-winning non-fiction books. His works have been translated into German and Italian, and he was nominated for the Libris History Prize.