Guest post by Marco
Today i had business in Breda, so it was also a good oppertunity to make a walk in the old centre.
The name Breda descends from a contraction of the Brede (wide) Aa.
This is the point where two rivers (the Mark and the Aa) flow together.
In 1252 Breda obtained its municipal rights, and at the beginning of the 14e century Breda was walled in. Also in that century the city was surrounded with mouts, so called “singels”.
Around the city you can still find them.
All the streets surrounding the city were laid in an oval shape, wich is a noticeable sign for old fortified cities.
In the centre are a lot of monuments, but there is one monument that makes Breda recognisable from a great distance, and that is “De Gote” or Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kerk. This beautifull church from the 15e century can be admired from almost every point in Breda.
In the historycal city centre lies the peaceful “Begijnhof”. Untill 1990 the court was inhabited by beguines, the statue in the garden still reminds of them.
In the herb-garden you will find hundreds of different herbs.
Of course Breda also have modern architecture, in the years it grows into a city with around 160.000 inhabitants, so the city also grows.
In a next visit i will show and tell you about that.
Apert from its history and its culture Breda is, above all, known for its kindhearted burgundian atmosphere wich is characteristic for all of the older, southern cities, where one knows how to enjoy life.
The big square near the church is a great place to try this.
I tried it too, and…….it’s truth!
When i sit there in the sun i saw a small market for old books and records.
So, i was home late, hahahaha.
