Until 1794, when French troops invaded The Netherlands, Uden was one of the important places in the Land van Ravenstein, an autonomous state enclosed by territory of the Republic or territory under its occupation. This country had existed since the 12th century, and declared complete freedom of religion in its territory in 1631. Since that time Uden has been an important center of Roman Catholicism that has accounted for many of the village's monuments.

Towering high above the landscape this church named St. Petrus' Stoel te Antiochië marks Uden's location from quite some distance. It's one of architect Carl Weber's impressive domed churches, and was built in 1890 as a replacement of a medieval church which was destroyed by fore in 1886.

Location: Kerkstraat 24

The religious freedom of 1631 attracted several monastic orders, forced to flee from other parts of the Netherlands which were dominated by calvinists, to settle in Uden. In 1638 the Kruisheren, an order of canons, found refuge in Uden and built a new monastery. In 1904-1905 that monastery was replaced by a new Kruisherenklooster, designed by C. Franssen. It's a big neo-Gothic complex of which the picture shows the church.

Location: Kerkstraat 8

The Birgittinessenklooster Maria Refugie is another example of a complex built by a religious order in exile. It was built from 1714 to 1719 on the premises of a ruined castle. The chapel was finished in 1739. Part of the convent was a farm which today, together with one of the wings of the actual convent, houses a museum of religious art.

Location: Vorstenburg 1