Monuments in 's-Hertogenbosch - Part 1

In 's-Hertogenbosch, you will find municipal monuments and national monuments. Municipal monuments are protected because they are important to a municipality, they are often image-defining, a national monument is of national importance. During my research for this article, I found out that we in 's-Hertogenbosch really have a lot of monuments. According to the website monumenten.nl, you can find 544 national monuments and 220 municipal monuments in the city. In this article, I will write something about the monuments where you can experience something.%26nbsp;

De Sint Jacobskerk and the Groot Tuighuis

The first St James church (The Old St James and now Groot Tuighuis, located in Bethaniëstraat) was a chapel and guesthouse for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostella, among other things, around 1430. After 1560, it took on the function of a parish church. After the siege in 1629, this church was also used for Protestant services, as the Catholic faith had been outlawed. Later, it was used as a carriage house, horse stable, military arsenal and harness house. During this period, floors were also placed in the building. Until about the end of World War I, the infantry occupied the building. The North Brabant Museum started in this building until it grew out of its seams and moved. Now the Heritage Department of 's-Hertogenbosch is in the building and is currently undergoing extensive renovation. Soon you will find a modern heritage centre here.

In 1844, the second St James church was built in Hinthamerstraat. This church was a Waterstaatkerk and was therefore built with financial support from the government.

The third St James church was built in 1905 on the site of the second church. The first service was held there in 1907 and the last in 2002. The Jheronimus Bosch Art Center was opened in the church in 2007 and it is also an event venue.

Want to read more about parks in Den Bosch? Read the article: Parks in 's-Hertogenbosch.

Goulmy and Baar, Willem II

In 1856, Eugène Goulmy was born in 's-Hertogenbosch, an enterprising and intelligent child. He is not a head of studies but a real doer and he travels the country to be apprenticed to some cigar factories. He develops into a craftsman. At 20, he obtains a declaration of majority so that he can start his own workshop. He is very successful and therefore enters into a partnership with Rudolph Baar. Together they establish the NV Nederlandse Sigarenfabriek Goulmy %26amp; Baar and open a tobacco palace in Amsterdam. But for Eugène, the south of the country continues to lure, he is after all from Bossen and wages in the south are considerably lower than in the capital. In consultation with the city council, a cigar factory is opened in 's-Hertogenbosch. At first, the factory is located in the city centre, but is soon too small so premises are built in the new Het Zand district. After an extension in 1907, it is the largest cigar factory in the country, all cigars are made by hand and a very large part is destined for export. After the First World War, the industry goes through a difficult time and there is little work for the cigar makers and in 1929 the cooperation between Goulmy and Baar comes to an end. The factory is taken over by the owner of the Willem II factories, a cigar factory from Valkenswaard, and from then on cigars are made by machine. Due to the shrinking market and mechanisation, employment declines and Willem II only uses the premises in 's-Hertogenbosch for four years. After that, there is no more cigar factory in 's-Hertogenbosch. During World War II, the building's cellars serve as an air-raid shelter and the building suffers considerable damage. The damage was repaired after the war and in 1979, the municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch bought the building and now you can find the W2 Poppodium, various studios and the Koninklijke Harmonie (Royal Wind Band) has its rehearsal space here.

The Kruithuis

The word says it all: the Kruithuis is a building where ammunition is stored. This is the only Kruithuis from the Eighty Years' War that still exists. It is a hexagonal building, the outer walls are a metre thick and made of brick and stone. There is a courtyard with less thick walls. The building was designed so that if ammunition exploded, the building would fly into the air in such a way that it would not damage the city. After the siege of 's-Hertogenbosch, it housed an arms factory, among other things. During World War II, several statues were stored there, including the statue of Hieronymus Bosch. The people of Bosschen were afraid these would fall victim to the violence of war or the smelting furnaces of the occupying forces. After the war, a school for architects settled there and then the Stedelijk Museum. Now, Stedelijk Overleg Kunstenaars 's-Hertogenbosch has found its place in the Kruithuis and you can regularly visit exhibitions there.

Living around the Kruithuis is also beautiful. vb%26amp;t Makelaars also has a branch in Den Bosch. So if you are looking for a dream home in this historic neighbourhood between De Dieze, Aa and Dommel, our Estate agent in Den Bosch can help. If you already own a home and want to sell it, we can also provide a free valuation without any obligation. That way, you can determine your budget for the new home in, for example, the beautiful street: Van der Weeghensingel.

The Leeuwenburg (Hotel Central)

This spot on the market of 's-Hertogenbosch is just about the oldest built-up place in the city and as early as the early 15th century, there is talk of a stone house owned by a noble family. History tells that Emperor Maximilian of Austria and his second wife stayed here. The building was inhabited until 1639, after which the main guard of the military ordnance found its place there. After that, the post office occupied the building and from 1896 it was put to use as a hotel and restaurant. So when you spend the night here, you sleep in the place where celebrities slept 500 years ago but where Prince Amadeiro still sleeps every year during Carnival.

St John's Cathedral and its tower

The official name of our Saint John is: the Cathedral Basilica of Saint John Evangelist. The cathedral has been through a lot. Think of the fires that affected the cathedral, the wars that besieged the inhabitants of 's-Hertogenbosch and, of course, the many restorations. There is so much to tell that a guided tour is definitely recommended. It is also possible to climb the tower under supervision. You will pass the carillon and have a good look at the clockwork. At the top of the tower is an exhibition about its construction and restoration. And then the view, you can see all of 's-Hertogenbosch! And next to the cathedral is Museum De Bouwloods, from this spot the construction and restoration work was coordinated and they can tell you all about it in the museum.
In December and January there is a nativity scene in the Sint Jan, which has a changing theme every year and is put together with life-size Christmas figures and stuffed animals from all over the world.

Read more about nature reserves near Den Bosch? Read this article: Nature reserves in and near 's-Hertogenbosch.

The Water Tower

Built in 1885 after the abolition of the fortification law, the Watertoren is located right behind the fortress walls of 's-Hertogenbosch. The tower is 33 metres high and made entirely of brick. The design and use of bricks make it look more like a castle tower than a water tower. The tower's two reservoirs are flat-bottomed and the water tower provided constant pressure on the water pipes. It also served as a buffer for the city of 's-Hertogenbosch. Since 1974, the water tower is no longer in use and you will find offices and a restaurant here.