Grote Markt — The Square That Burned Itself Open

Stadhuis (Grote Markt 38) rebuilt after the fire; current Louis-XVI façade by Philip Willem Schonck, 1766–1768. A blindfolded Justitia with scales stands above…

Grote Kerk — Princely Tombs and a Mummified Cat

Brabantine Gothic, choir started 1410, tower 1468–1509 (97 m), completed 1547. Vault frescoes (1533) by Tommaso Vincidor, a pupil of Raphael. A 15th-century mu…

Begijnhof & Waalse Kerk — The Hof That Nassau Protected

Begijnhof founded c. 1267 by Hendrik V van Schoten and Sofia van Berthout. 29 houses, a chapel, and a herb garden with ~300 plant species. Placed under the per…

Kasteelplein — The Castle Where Orange Lived

1536: Henry III rebuilds the castle into the first Renaissance palace north of the Alps, by Italian architect Tommaso Vincidor. Later rebuilt by William III (1…

Spanjaardsgat — The Gate That Remembers a Peat Boat

Two round towers: Granaattoren (left) and Duiventoren (right), joined by a water gate. Turfschip ruse: 4 March 1590, 72 soldiers under Charles de Héraugière, s…

Haven & Nieuwe Vismarkt — The Harbour That Came Back

Haven of Breda: navigable arm of the river Mark, active as a commercial harbour from medieval times. 'Nieuwe Vismarkt' (new fish market) laid out here after th…