Breda between church and park: the castle stays at a distance

The Grote Kerk Breda calls itself a house of stories with a history of 750 years. Its own site also gives a central place to the mausoleum of the Nassau-Dillenburg family, ancestors of the Dutch royal family. It is one of the reasons to choose the church as a historic starting point for a walk through Breda.

From 3 July to 1 November, the exhibition Één liefde, vele gezichten – een stad in beeld is on the programme. Admission to the exhibition is free.

The Grote Kerk is at Kerkplein 2, about a ten-minute walk from Breda station, according to the visitor information. The church is usually open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 to 17.00 and Sunday from 13.00 to 17.00. For Sunday 18 October the site mentions a closure.

According to Explore Breda, Stadspark Valkenberg connects the station with the town centre. The name refers to falcons that were once kept at the castle for hunting. Henry III and his wife later had an Italian garden laid out here; the area then received a park in the French style.

Breda Castle is normally closed to visitors. Gilde Breda offers guided tours of the castle grounds; the next one is on Saturday 24 October at 14.00. Booking is available through Explore Breda. The castle is on military grounds and is not freely accessible.

Visitors aged twelve and over can climb the church tower. The route has 287 steps and narrow passages; the church lists tickets and times.