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 comes 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 once built a castle there. 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. To defend itself, a wall was built around the city at the beginning of the 14th century. Wooden 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. 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.
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 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, cosy 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
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 grey 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'.
165,000 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? 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
nuns 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), Nou en? (= "So what?") and Piggenhuys (mostly men, drag-nights). They are all 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: Valkenberg Park in the city
centre (beware of gay bashers in the weekends), Liesbos Woods (near the E10
at the road to Etten-Leur), Galderse Meren (a recreation area 7 kilometres
south of Breda), Kalix Berna (a parking at the A27 direction Utrecht),
Galgenwaard (a parking at the A27 direction Breda, very popular, leather)
and Lage Aard (a recreation area direction Breda-Tilburg, which has an
unofficial nude area).