The best city hikes and walks in Prinsenbosch

An oasis of tranquility in the center of Breda. A historic place that still breathes the atmosphere of centuries ago. On the Begijnhof, you will also find an extensive herb garden. The Beguines had extensive knowledge of medicinal herbs and used them extensively in healthcare.

It is also certain that around 1500 a new stone church was built in Gilze, a cruciform church with a tower. But it didn't stand there for long. In 1584, plundering soldiers set it on fire. Only a ruin remained. The parishioners provisionally sealed off a small part to still be able to use the church. Because it would take a long time before they had enough money to start the reconstruction. Only in 1609 were the tower and the nave restored; the two transepts were still open at that time. And it was 1617 before the church was completely finished again. This year still stands at the top of the middle gable of the church. The entrance was also in that same gable at the time, but the parishioners later bricked it up with a tombstone. In the current church, this is the oldest part. Despite all efforts, the Catholics lost their church again more than thirty years later. And from 1648 onwards, they had to make do with a hidden or barn church. This was because after the Peace of Münster, the Protestants also took over the churches. When the Catholics were allowed to use their church again in 1818, after one hundred and seventy years, it soon became apparent that the building had become too small. The number of parishioners had increased considerably over the years. Therefore, between 1880 and 1881, it was enlarged and embellished. Two side aisles were added along the nave.

On the outside of the church of Petrus’ Banden in Gilze is the year 1617. That was when the reconstruction of the church that had been destroyed in 1584 was completed. That happened as a result of the war actions around Gilze. https://www.bhic.nl/ontdekken/verhalen/de-sint-petrus-bandenkerk-in-gilze

In 1994, a wooden well was found during excavation work. This well is archaeological proof that Gilze is at least 1000 years old. Experts call the well unique in its kind for the Netherlands and even for Europe.

MEZZ is a popular music venue in Breda known for its live pop music and dance parties. The building, designed by Erick van Egeraat, is often called 'the copper peanut' because of its unique design.

Information about the work: After the death of Vincent van Gogh's father, his mother and sister moved to Breda. The small town house was far too small for all their belongings. The mover and carpenter who helped the mother and sister move, suggested storing their belongings in his storage facility on the Ginnekenstraat. The mother and sister were not happy in Breda and eventually moved to Leiden. They did not take the crates that they had stored with the mover/carpenter. Years later, the crates were opened and the belongings were sold on to a market trader. The trader tried to sell the 'not valuable' works of art for a dime on the Grote Markt. After some time, the market trader heard that the works of art were made by Vincent van Gogh. Regretting his actions, he tried to find the sold works. Although he found a number of works, a large part is still missing.

A work from 2015. On the site of the bicycle shed where Ilse Weisfelt made her mural, there used to be a horse stable. Hence a playful mix of present and past, with a rider on a bicycle and a cyclist on a horse.

Artist Dadara created a ‘visual mindfuck’, a response to the fact that we now see more art via social media than in reality and that our physical environment is becoming increasingly digital.