Breda - culture
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Culture
There are many monuments in the city center of Breda. You can recognize one monument from afar: the 'Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kerk ' or the ' Grote Kerk '. This beautiful church from the 15th century can be seen from almost every point in Breda. Kasteel van Breda shows the historical relationship between Breda and the house of Oranje Nassau. The Castle of Breda is currently used by the KMA. Next to the castle is the Valkenberg city park. Until 1812, this park served as a castle garden for the Lords of Breda. In addition, many more monuments are worth visiting, such as the Spanjaardsgat, the Begijnhof or Kasteel Bouvigne.
Kasteel van Bouvigne
Bouvigne Castle is located below the Ginneken and near the Mastbos south of Breda.
The estate dates from the 15th century and consists of a fairytale castle surrounded by three special gardens: a French, an English and a German garden. In 1554, the castle appears for the first time in an official deed: the will of the former owner Jacob van Brecht. It started as a stone house, on which the first floor of the tower was later built (between 1554 and 1611).
The beautiful gardens at the castle are usually free to visit and the castle itself only on special days. The castle is currently owned by the Brabantse Delta water board.
Spanjaardsgat
The Spanjaardsgat is a water gate with the two heptagonal defense towers. These two defense towers recall the time when Breda was in the hands of the Spaniards (1590).
The ruse with the Turfschip of Breda is one of the most famous incidents of the Eighty Years' War. The skipper Adriaen van Bergen from Leur smuggled an army of 75 men into the castle with his peat ship. Around midnight, the soldiers emerged and overran the occupiers of the castle.
Begijnhof
The Begijnhof is located in the old city center of Breda. Beguines have been a movement of devout Catholic women since the late 12th century. In 1535 the Breda Beguines moved to their current location on Catherinastraat, where they continued to live for more than 450 years (until 1990).
The beguinage is a complex surrounded by walls consisting of houses and a small church. The 29 houses divided over two courtyards are grouped around a herb garden. Today the Beguinage serves as a residential court for unmarried women.
Breda Kasteel
This castle is located on the Kasteelplein in the center of Breda. It doesn't look like a castle as people are used to. Only on the outside are two heptagonal towers (Spaniardsgat) visible. In 1350 the Dutch nobleman Jan II van Polanen, Lord of Breda, turned a fortress into a strong castle with a moat and four corner towers. The building will be fitted into the defenses of Breda. Over the years, the castle has been renovated and enlarged several times.
In the French period (18th century), the castle of Breda served as a barracks and military hospital. In 1826, King Willem I made the castle of Breda available to the Royal Military Academy (KMA). Since that time, the KMA has been located in the castle of Breda.
Stadhuis
Breda's city hall is located on the Grote Markt. It used to be three houses. In 1768, one facade was added by Philips Willem Schonck, making it look like a whole from the outside. Above the entrance is a statue of a woman with a blindfold and a pair of scales.
Here only weddings of the citizens of Breda take place and receptions of the mayor of Breda. The modern town hall/city office with all its services for the citizens is located at 10 Claudius Prinsenlaan.
The Grote Kerk
The Grote Kerk or Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk is the most important monument in Breda. The church is located in the center of Breda on the Grote Markt. The construction of this church started in 1410 and more than 130 years later (1547) the church was completed.
The tower of the church (97 meters high) is visible from afar and can be climbed on some days. Upstairs there is a beautiful view over the Grote Markt and the city. Few services are held in the church today.
The building can be visited and is also used for concerts, symposia, trade fairs, school excursions and exhibitions.
Koepelgevangenis
The Breda koepelgevangenis was built in 5 years (1882 to 1886). The building was designed according to the panopticon principle: from the center of the circular complex, the guards could keep a constant eye on the prisoners.
The complex was designated a national monument in 2001. Today it is no longer used as a prison. The 'prison' is now for sale and until then entrepreneurs, artists, volunteers, companies, institutions and organizations can develop numerous activities. All this under the name 'FutureDome'.
Chassé Theater
The Chassé Theater is located in the center of Breda. The Chassé Theater is a large theatre, in addition there are also Chassé Cinema (with a cinema with three cinemas), a catering facility and a large foyer. The theater is housed in a modern building with a striking undulating roof.
The theater dates from 1995. The Holland Casino can be reached via the theater. Every season, the Chassé Theater offers an extensive theater program with many different genres and for various target groups and ages.
Holland Casino
The Holland Casino in Breda opened in October 1987. The Holland Casino is located in the old monastery barracks and is connected to the Chassé Theater.
The Holland Casino is located in the center of Breda. Holland Casino Breda is not only one of the largest, but also one of the most wealthy casinos in the Netherlands. The casino of Breda has 7 different gaming rooms. There are 7 bars, a museum and a restaurant.
Poppodium Mezz
De Mezz is located in the center of Breda. The Mezz has been completely developed as a pop stage. As far as the Mezz is concerned, it is always 'live', with a lot of attention for everything that makes a live performance a real experience. 'Mezz concerts & dance' is the vibrant heart of all pop culture activities.
Mezz has a room that can accommodate 650 pop lovers. For a smaller audience, there is a stage in the adjacent Mezz café that can accommodate 150 visitors.
Watertoren
The water tower on the Wilhelminasingel in Breda was designed by architect Jan Schotel and was built in 1893-1894. The water tower has a height of 42 meters and has one water reservoir of 500 m3.
The tower was converted into office space in 1976. In the past, a water tower had an indispensable function. It was a 'storage vessel' that ensured that water under pressure reached the citizens in the flat country.