Page 369 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

NOR TH BR ABANT  367

Lady). It is prominent on the
Grote Markt and cannot be
missed. Construction of this
magnificent Brabant Gothic-style
church began in 1410; in 1995–8
it underwent restoration.
At the Spanjaardsgat water-
gate, near the castle, legend
has it that in the 16th century,
during the 80 Years War of
independence from Spain,
Adriaen van Bergen tricked
his way past the Spanish with
a peat barge full of soldiers
and liberated the town.
Breda’s Museum is housed
in the old barracks of the The basilica of Oudenbosch, a miniature copy of St Peter’s in Rome
Chassékazerne. The museum
displays interesting exhibits 7 Bergen op Zoom original chapel. The lords of
that illustrate local history. Bergen op Zoom built the
Road Map B5. * 66,200. £ @
n Korte Meesstraat 19 (0164- Markiezenhof, which was
E Breda’s Museum 277482). ( Thu. finally completed in 1511. The
Parade 12–14. Tel 076-5299300. Open castle is today a museum, with
10am–5pm Tue–Sun. & 7 - The old town of Bergen op period rooms and an unusual
Zoom grew around a chapel collection of fairground items.
that was dedicated to St There are also changing
5 Oudenbosch Gertrude. In 1260, Bergen op exhibitions, which vary from
Zoom was granted its town cultural history to modern art.
Road Map B5. * 13,000
(municipality of Halderberge). charter, after which it enjoyed
£ @ n Parklaan 15 (0165-390555). a period of prosperity. The E Markiezenhof
( Tue pm. 15th-century St Geertruids­ Steenbergsestraat 8. Tel 0164-277077.
kerk, with its striking tower, Open 11am–5pm Tue–Sun.
Between 1860 and 1870, stands on the site of the & 7 -
Oudenbosch was the point
from which the Zouaves set The Surrender of Breda
out on their journey to Rome
to defend the pope against During the 80 Years War, Breda was kept under siege by Spain for
Garibaldi. Upon their return, they ten months, before finally surrendering to Ambrosio Spinola’s
had the architect PJH Cuypers troops on 5th June 1625. The moment of capitulation is captured
(see p375) build a miniature in Velázquez’s painting, known as both The Surrender of Breda and
replica of St Peter’s basilica in Las Lanzas – the lances – after the line of weapons that dominate
Rome, the Basiliek van de HH the background. Velázquez, the great court painter of King Philip
Agatha en Barbara (Basilica of IV, is said to have painted the scene from memory. His picture
SS Agatha and Barbara). shows the moment when the commander of the Dutch troops,
on the left of the picture in a supplicating position, hands the key
of the Dutch fortress to a straight-backed Spinola. The painting
6 Willemstad is famous for its composition, with the canvas divided into two
balanced parts: left and right contain a group of soldiers and
Road Map B4. * 2,300. a horse, while
@ n Lantern Dijk 12. ( Mon. the fore- and
background are
The Bastions of Willemstad split into human
were built in 1583 by William activity and the
of Orange. The Mauritshuis smouldering city
(1623), the former hunting behind. The work
lodge of Maurice, Prince of is also noted for
Orange, is today a museum. the lively way it
The influence of the Oranges portrays the men,
can also been seen in the white several of whom
Oranjemolen mill (1734). There look the viewer
is a pleasant harbour and a directly in the eye.
tree-lined “Wedding Walk”, The painting now
which leads to a domed church, hangs in Madrid’s
the Koepeikerk. Museo del Prado. The Surrender of Breda by Velázquez

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