Breda
In 2002 Breda celebrated its 750th anniversary. In 1252 the city was granted certain privileges in a charter signed by Hendrik IV, lord of Breda. Tales that Breda should date from the ninth century cannot be verified by archives, though there are some archaeological finds dating from these earlier periods. Up to now excavations have proved permanent habitation since the twelfth century. This means that a settlement called Breda already existed before 1252.
Its name derives from a corruption of
Brede Aa (or Broad Aa) and refers to the place where the river Mark and the river Aa converge. A Brabant nobleman built a stronghold here at the end of the 12th century. Gradually farmers, fishermen and sailors came to the area, which in turn attracted merchants and craftsmen.
Breda received its character in 1252 and therefore became one of the firsts of small cities founded in the province of North
Brabant.
Can you imagine? Wooden houses; inns; lots of people; narrow
streets and unpaved paths. There were no sewers; the smell must have been unbearably. You can hear the copper beaters working.
The tinkers, the cobblers. You wander among the weavers, basket makers and other craftsmen. And every Tuesday morning (as it
still is today) you can visit the weekly market, which has been in existence since 1321.
To defend itself, a wall was built around the city at the beginning of the 14th century. Watchtowers were
located at strategic points and canals were dug all around the city. These canals still exist. A tiny Middle Age community was
created under the influence of the Dutch nobleman Jan van Polanen, who rebuilt the existing stronghold in 1350 and turned it into a mighty castle with four heavy towers at each corner and surrounded by a moat.
Whether
you lived in the Middle Ages or you are living now, there is one landmark, which the approaching visitor to Breda will recognise
from far away: the tower of the Grote or Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kerk (the Church of Our Lady). It dominates almost the whole of
Breda. It took 125 years in all to build. It is richly decorated in the Brabant gothic style on the outside, and despite the
effects of the Reformation in 1566, during which a lot of sculptures and paintings in Roman Catholic churches were destroyed, it
still has a remarkable interior. Nowadays it doesn't function as a church anymore; it houses flower exhibitions, wedding
parties, classical music concerts, etcetera.
In the 16th century the ramparts near the harbour were strengthened with the addition of two strong pentagonal towers, plus a connecting wall. A century later a gateway was made in this wall and an interior canal was constructed. This created what is called 'het Spanjaardsgat' ('Spaniards' hole). In the wars between the Northern Dutch provinces and the Spaniards, Breda changed hands at least six times. Once due to the treachery of a peat shipper who, by hiding the besiegers under a cargo of peat, was able to smuggle them behind enemy lines.
Water and green
Breda and its surroundings. You can relax and enjoy yourself in the peace and quiet.... cycling through the Markdal (valley of the river Mark). Watching the Brabant landscape and the clouds floating by. Would you prefer a walk in the leafy woods? There are plenty in the area to enjoy: the woods at Dorst, Ulvenhout, Chaam and Strijbeek. And the woods Liesbos and Mastbos bordering on the Galderse Meren, lakes where you can swim in the nude and which is a busy cruising area for gay men.
On warm summer days you can find sun worshippers and water sportsmen at the Galderse Meren (Galder lakes) and the Asterdplas.
Swimming or sailing, on a surf board or in a rubber dingy. Canoers can also enjoy themselves on the canals of Breda or on the
river Mark.
If you're looking for green grass you don't have to go far. Even in the city there's plenty of green around. Tree lined avenues and street. Grass verges and public gardens. Spacious parks like Valkenberg Park used by commuters to reach the city centre. Or to cycle through. A meeting place for lovers. A place where children play and where you can sit on a bench, close your eyes and enjoy the sunshine and where at night gay men meet for a one night stand.
Wilhelmina Park is another popular public park, close to the Breda water tower. It has large ponds and monumental trees. Merkx Park is a small, cozy park in the middle of the city, has a lot of statues and functions as an open-air museum. Living in Breda is living in the midst of nature.
Going out and shopping
Last Year Breda was awarded the title "Best City Centre of The Netherlands", due to its many shops, pubs and bars, restaurants, outdoor cafes and well preserved historical buildings.
In summer and on warm spring and autumn days, people throng into the streets and into the cafe terraces. You can hear the murmur of voices everywhere. The city centre hums like a hive. Can you see the white houses from your seat on the terrace? And as you wander about, the gray cobbled squares? Savour the characteristic southern atmosphere... and you'll begin to understand why some people describe Breda as 'the most northern city of Southern Europe'.
160,000 people live
in Breda. Most of them are very happy there. They live, work and study there. They shop, go out for an evening. To the city
centre, the shopping and nightlife centre of the region. Every Saturday some 70,000 people wander around the shops in town. You
too?
And if the crush gets too much, you can find a peace and quiet in the Begijnhof on Catharinastraat. Beautifully preserved and
restored. You can almost see the beguines still silently passing by. An oasis of calm ...right in the heart of the city.
Perhaps you just have been shopping along the Shopping Route, or you've followed the Antique Route. It's winter and it's cold. You could warm yourself up in a bar or a good restaurant. There's a wide variety to choose from. Ranging from pub food to high-class restaurants. In the culinary field Breda has quite a reputation as a gourmet's paradise. What would you like to do after you've eaten? See a film in one of the cinemas? Raise a glass in one of the many bars? Trip the light fantastic across the dance floor in a disco? Enjoy an evening of theatre at the Chassé Theatre? Place a chip on red at the Holland Casino Breda? In Breda the choice is yours.
Gay Breda
Among the two hundred and fifty pubs and bars in Breda are some fine gay pubs: Venise Bar (a friendly, mixed crowd) and Piggenhuys (mostly men, drag-nights). They are both in the city centre. Besides these gay bars you could also go to just any other pub, bar or club: most of them are gay-friendly.
Breda has also some great cruising areas: Liesbos Woods (near the E10 at the road to Etten-Leur), Galder Lakes (a recreation area 7 kilometres south of Breda where you can also sunbathe and swim in the nude), Kalix Berna (a parking at the A27 direction Utrecht) and Galgenwaard (a parking at the A27 direction Breda, very popular, leather).
Public events
Breda hosts a wide variety of annual events. Whether you like Jazz, are fond of horses, like to dance or sing along... the large amount of events will certainly offer you a chance to live out your passion. The biggest and most important are the following:
Carnival
To celebrate the beginning of Lent in February, Breda (as is the whole of the south of The Netherlands) is immersed in a five day period of partying in pubs, bars and in the streets. People dress up in the most outrageous costumes, Oompah bands march through town and there are concerts and balls. On Monday there is the big Carnival Parade with dozens of colourful floats.
Smaakvol Breda (Delightful Breda)
In May top chefs from restaurants in Breda and surrounding areas present themselves in stylish marquees at Chassépark. They prepare a number of dishes typical for their restaurants for people to taste and savour.
Breda Jazz Festival
Since 1971 the annual Jazz Festival takes place in June. This 4-day festival offers a broad variety of jazz music: classical jazz, dixieland, swing, jump 'n jive as well as special theme concerts. Most concerts take place on outdoor stages in the historic city centre of Breda and are free to the public. The indoor concerts cost from €12.50 to €22.50 and feature some of the biggest names in the international world of jazz.
Breda Balloon Fiesta
Breda Balloon Fiesta in August is one of the biggest hot-air ballooning events in The Netherlands. Every night at 7.00 p.m. around 35 hot-air balloons from home and abroad, in all kind of colours, shapes and seizes, take off and glide across Breda and the surrounding area.
Boogiedown Breda
In August the annual hip hop and reggae-festival is held at Chasséveld. Thousands of fans party at the sound of (inter)national artists and DJ's and try out their moves at the (temporarily erected) skateboarding rink.
Outdoor Brabant
Each year in September, a major equestrian event is being organized in Breda: Outdoor Brabant. Participants in all kinds of equestrian disciplines are doing their utmost during four days. Horse jumping and eventing are by far the most spectacular parts of the contest.
Redhead Day
Also in September thousands of redheads from all over the world get together in Breda! Walking in the middle of all these redheads is really something special. Redhead Day takes place in the whole city centre of Breda. There are about 50 activities: individual photo shoots, a fashion show, lectures about red hair, and much more.
Strip festival Breda
The Breda Comic Strip and Cartoon Fair takes place in mid-September. There are meet and greets with (inter)national strip cartoonists, who sign and sell their work at The Graphic Museum; the prestigious Dutch Marten Toonder Award is presented to the best comic writer or cartoonist for his/her whole work, and a major auction is held at Chassé Theater.
Breda Barst
Breda Barst is a two-day, free open-air pop festival in Breda in the middle of September and the last one of the summer-season in The Netherlands. Besides renowned national and international acts, a large number of local and regional bands perform on five stages in Valkenberg Park.
Breda Photo
From September until October Breda lives and breaths photography. Dozens of photographers from all over the world show us their vision on the present world that is up side down. The core of the festival is an enormous exhibition in all museums and art galleries of Breda. The eye catcher of the festival is the outside exhibition XXL with hundreds of enormous photographs scattered around the city.
Singelloop
On the first Sunday in October tens of thousands people participate in the annual Amgen Singelloop, a running event through the historical city centre and along the canals of Breda. First there is the race for the (semi-)professional runners and the Dutch Marathon Championship. These are followed by the Family Run. Cheered by the spectators children run with their parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts their track through the inner city. Winning is not the main goal, taking part is.
Watch three videos about Breda
To give you an impression of my lovely home town I'm presenting three videos made by the local Tourist Office.