Historische bestemmingen

Brabant is Vincent van Gogh’s homeland (1853 - 1890). Van Gogh’s masterpieces are scattered throughout the world, but their roots are in Brabant. Here is where Van Gogh produced his first masterpiece ‘The Potato Eaters’. To this day, Vincent’s footsteps can be traced in places like Zundert, Nuenen, Tilburg, Etten-Leur and ’s-Hertogenbosch. You can see the house where he was born, his young brother’s grave, his art class at school, the parsonage and several churches where his father worked. Nuenen is a historical village that offers a walking tour along 23 locations related to his work. The Noordbrabants Museum in ‘s-Hertogenbosch houses original works by Van Gogh in ‘The Story of Brabant’.

Basilica Oudenbosch of the Holy Agatha and Barbara A hidden gem in the Western part of North Brabant. This church is unlike any other church in the Netherlands. Just like the center of Oudenbosch, where the church is located, it’s inspired by Roman architecture. The church and historical center around it are worth the visit. In the Oudenbosch Basilica and the museums surrounding it you’ll discover the special connection that Oudenbosch has with Rome and Vatican city.

’s-Hertogenbosch is one of the oldest medieval cities in the Netherlands. The maze of narrow medieval streets and alleyways can be explored on foot. Another option is to marvel at the picturesque bridges and perfectly preserved historical buildings from a small boat: admire Den Bosch from its waterways, the Binnendieze. You will gain an entirely different perspective floating beneath the walls of the fortified city. When you visit the capital city of Brabant, make sure that the Den Bosch delicacy is on your menu. Find a table at one of the many outdoor cafes and order a ‘Bossche Bol’ (chocolate ball) with your coffee. The Korte Putstraat in the historical city centre is a street known across the country for offering culinary treats in a variety of cuisines. Throughout the year, all the eateries have extensive outdoor seating areas. You will find two museums in the middle of the city, the Noordbrabants Museum and the Design Museum Den Bosch. Together, they form the Museum Quarter, already dubbed ‘the Dutch branch of the Guggenheim’. The lovely Sint-Janskathedraal on the corner of the Parade impresses through its size and enormous wealth of sculptures.

Together with St. John’s Cathedral in ’s-Hertogenbosch, the Grote Kerk church in Breda and the Markiezenhof in Bergen op Zoom, Kasteel Heeswijk is one of the four official Top Monuments in Brabant. You can experience the chequered history of almost one thousand years of power, pride and culture of the elite of Brabant, all prominently located in the River Aa valley close to ’s-Hertogenbosch. The castle is also the Nature Gateway to Brabant and is encircled by the Heeswijk Estate where you can spend some relaxing time among beautiful countryside. Come and enjoy this imposing monument weekly from Tuesdays to Sundays. ‘Bij de Barones’ is the place for visitors to the castle and estate to enjoy coffee, lunch or drinks in beautiful historic surroundings!