Refresh Magazine

Breda city 1252 - 2017
BREDA'S
MANY SURPRISING
FACETS
The history of Breda at a glance
12 th century
A small settlement takes shape on the site
where the Aa and Mark rivers meet
1252 Breda is granted town privileges
early 14 th century
Town is walled in
Breda is bursting with music
Comic books are as uncompromisingly popular
as ever. Comic artists and publishers from all
around the world meet their fans and readers in
Breda during the Stripfestival. There is live
drawing, meet & greet sessions, films,
presentations, quizzes and more. The festival has
a huge attraction for fans from near and far.
The same goes for Breda Barst, a two-day pop festival
in the heart of the city that is free of charge.
It began in 1995 and has become a full-fledged
event. With four stages from which to choose,
festivalgoers can enjoy pop, rock, hip hop and
dance, as well as street theatre, artistically-minded
acts and children's events. Another festival, Breda
Jazzfestival to be precise, has been around longer
than Breda Barst. A true tradition!
For four days, starting on Ascension Day,
Breda is completely crammed with music.
The festival is an annual event dating back to
1971, making it one of the oldest and most
popular jazz festivals in the Netherlands.
Bands play everywhere in the city centre,
and this music festival consistently draws
masses of people.
Sportsmanship and friendly vibes
Not a building, not a historic event, nor a
happening, but an institute. That is professional
football organisation NAC.
The Breda club was formed in 1912 when the
clubs NOAD and Advendo merged. Despite the
club's modest wins (national champion in 1921
and cup winner in 1973), it has a large following of
loyal fans. The 'Avondje NAC' ('Night of NAC')
is notorious in the Dutch football world.
Opponents are often impressed by the fanatic
supporters in the stadium, but for NAC fans the
evening is all about friendly vibes. The Singel Run
likewise pairs sportsmanship with friendly vibes.
From 1986 onward, the Singel Run has taken
place in Breda in October every year.
The race through the city's streets features
separate competitions for professionals and
enthusiastic sports aficionados. It is an event that
aartsenfruit has supported since 2010. In 2016,
the run attracted nearly 20,000 runners and tens
of thousands of spectators along the route.
Together, all of these people turned it into one
big party. That friendly vibe is typical of Breda!
1321 The first weekly market (is still held today)
1350
1403
1468
Nobleman Jan van Polanen purchases
Breda. He converts the existing fortress
into a castle
Van Polanen's granddaughter marries
Engelbrecht van Nassau, one of the
forefathers of the Dutch royal family
Construction starts on the
characteristic tower of the Grote Kerk
(Church of Our Lady)
1500 - 1540 Breda's Golden Age
16 th century Defences are fortified
1544
1554 Castle Bouvigne
1568 - 1648
1590
1635
1637
William of Orange-Nassau inherits all of the
House of Nassau's property, including Breda
Eighty Years' War: the Protestant
Dutch are at war with Catholic Spain.
Breda is frequently in the line of fire.
William of Orange leads the revolt
against the Spaniards.
Peat barge ruse Breda liberated
(temporarily) from the Spanish occupier
Diego Velazquez paints
'The Surrender of Breda'
1793 - 1813 French occupation
1828
Definitive recapture of Breda by the
Dutch Republic (northern Netherlands)
The Koninklijke Militaire Academie
(Royal Military Academy) moves into
the former castle
1907 The foundation of aartsenfruit
1940
De Vlucht ('The Flight'):
50,000 Breda residents flee the city at
the outbreak of the Second World War
1944 Polish forces liberate Breda on 29 October
> 1945
1971
After the war, Breda grows rapidly:
new residential neighbourhoods,
industry and businesses
Breda is called 'Kielegat' for
the first time during Carnival
1986 First Singel Run
2002 Pop venue Mezz opens
2007 Lavish celebration for aartsenfruit centennial
2007 Filled-in historic port reopens
2016 Opening of the ultramodern train station
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