7 of the most beautiful monuments in North Brabant

By: Janny City guide | Read time: 7 minutes

North Brabant brings you closer to Van Gogh, the Nassaus and the Marquis. Closer to life in a monastery and even closer to Rome. Located in historic city centres and in the midst of luscious greenery, the best monuments display the Dutch history of Brabant origin. We list seven of the most beautiful monuments.

Cultural history at its best

The centre of ‘s-Hertogenbosch contains the largest cathedral in the Netherlands: St. John’s Cathedral. Imposing on the outside, but just as impressive inside! A guided tour will bring the stories of the St. John’s Cathedral to life.

The centre of ‘s-Hertogenbosch has even more beauty within its historic city walls. Get on board for a round trip on the Binnendieze underground river, and do not miss Het Noordbrabants Museum: here, in addition to admiring the original works by Vincent van Gogh, you can also admire masterpieces by Hieronymus Bosch and the Brueghel family.

What is now the icon of Breda was once the mausoleum of the Nassau family in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Grote Kerk (Church of Our Lady) is thus the crowning glory of Breda’s royal chapter, with beautiful frescos, sculptures and gravestones. With a city centre full of beautiful monuments at its doorstep, the Stedelijk Museum offers a glimpse of the noble city history.

It is now possible to stay overnight in the former court houses in the fashionable Hotel Nassau. Near the castle moat in Valkenberg city park, the castle’s former garden, you have the most beautiful view of Breda Castle. The best way to discover the royal history of Breda is on the Explore Royal Breda walking route.

Mastbos

More info about Mastbos

Mastbos

Going back in time

Monumental castles lie concealed in the countryside of North Brabant. Admire them while hiking or cycling and, for just a moment, imagine yourself back in time. The picturesque Heeswijk Castle is a real eye-catcher, with miles of pathways running throughout the Heeswijk Estate just in front of the castle gate. Or wander through Museum Helmond, following the fascinating castle corridors of Helmond Castle, the largest moated castle in the Netherlands. In Vught, a visit to Maurick Castle can be combined with a walk through the woods. Tip: use our route planner to map out your own cycling or walking route past the Brabant castles.

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A North Brabant surprise with a touch of Italian awaits you in Oudenbosch: a scaled copy (1:16) of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. The 19th-century masterpiece was designed by architect Pierre Cuypers, also famous for Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and Central Station. A spiral staircase in the Basilica of Oudenbosch leads to the crest of the dome, which is 30 metres high and provides a view of the impressive details of one of the largest architectonic masterpieces in the Netherlands.

If you would like to know more about the story behind this basilica and why this monument was built specifically in Oudenbosch, follow The Nine Marvels of Oudenbosch's waking route. This 2.5-kilometre city walk takes you past nine exceptional places of Roman grandeur. The basilica can be viewed on your own or you can book a guided tour. When finished, be sure to visit the nearby Arboretum, a beautiful botanical garden.

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If you want to follow a wonderful walking route that combines the countryside with historic monuments, you may enjoy the monastery tours! Ten hiking circuits, each a maximum of two hours, go past the most beautiful monasteries and abbeys of North Brabant, such as Sint Agatha, the oldest inhabited monastery in the Netherlands. Experiences of monastic life await you on the route, such as the beautiful gardens and abbey beers at the Abbey of Berne in Heeswijk-Dinther or at the Abbey of Our Lady of Refuge (Abdij Maria Toevlucht) in Zundert. And then, of course, there is Tilburg, the monastery capital in North Brabant. Find more on our special theme page.

Monastery Trail: circular walk Huijbergen
Monastery Trail: circular walk Huijbergen
(3 hour 7 minutes) 14.0 km

Walk through forests and dunes and discover the natural history of the Huijbergen monastery.
Monastery Trail: circular tour Oosterhout
Monastery Trail: circular tour Oosterhout
(3 hour 11 minutes) 14.3 km

Combine the dynamics of the city with the quiet of the countryside on this walking route past three monastery complexes.
Monastery Trail: circular tour Zundert
Monastery Trail: circular tour Zundert
(3 hour 3 minutes) 13.8 km

Explore the countryside around the Abbey of Our Lady of Refuge (Abdij Maria Toevlucht) in Zundert and find silence.
Our Monastery Trail: circular tour Tilburg
Our Monastery Trail: circular tour Tilburg
(2 hour 30 minutes) 11.5 km

Of all the cities in North Brabant, Tilburg has the highest number of (former) monasteries.
Monastery Walk in De Groote Heide
Monastery Walk in De Groote Heide
(2 hour 30 minutes) 11.2 km

This monastery walk will allow you to discover the beautiful countryside around the Achelse Kluis in Hamont-Achel in De Groote Heide heathland.
Monastery walk Boekel and Handel
Monastery walk Boekel and Handel
(1 hour 30 minutes) 6.7 km

This 6.7 km walk will take you through beautiful countryside and historic buildings in the area around Huize Padua
Our Monastery Trail: circular tour Sint Agatha
Our Monastery Trail: circular tour Sint Agatha
(1 hour 40 minutes) 7.6 km

The oldest inhabited convent in the Netherlands
Tour of the monastery in Vessem
Tour of the monastery in Vessem
(2 hour) 9.2 km

This tour of the monastery allows you to explore the beautiful countryside around the pilgrims’ hostel Capernaum.
Tour of the monastery in Vught
Tour of the monastery in Vught
(2 hour 25 minutes) 11.8 km

This tour of the monastery allows you to explore the beautiful countryside around the monastery hotel ZIN in Vught.
Tour of the monastery in Velp
Tour of the monastery in Velp
(2 hour 40 minutes) 11.9 km

This monastery tour shows where the religious Brabant and the embattled Brabant meet.
Tour of the monastery in Uden
Tour of the monastery in Uden
(2 hour 20 minutes) 10.7 km

Place of refuge for expelled monastics: discover the various aspects of monastic life in Uden.
Our Monastery Trail: circular tour Oirschot
Our Monastery Trail: circular tour Oirschot
(2 hour 10 minutes) 9.8 km

Explore the Nazareth monastery and the Holy Oak pilgrimage place in Oirschot.
Our Monastery Trail: circular tour Aarle-Rixtel
Our Monastery Trail: circular tour Aarle-Rixtel
(2 hour 55 minutes) 13.0 km

This 13-kilometre circular walk lets you discover the beautiful countryside around the Missionary Convent Holy Blood (Missieklooster Heilig Bloed)...
Our Monastery Trail: circular tour Boxmeer
Our Monastery Trail: circular tour Boxmeer
(55 minutes) 4.1 km

The circular walk of 4.1 km takes you past places that tell the story of monastery life in Boxmeer, and past the beautiful embankments of the river...
Our Monastery Trail: circular tour Heeswijk-Dinther
Our Monastery Trail: circular tour Heeswijk-Dinther
(2 hour 20 minutes) 10.4 km

This 10.4 km circular walk revolves around the Berne Abbey, both literally and figuratively.
Our Monastery Trail: circular tour Megen
Our Monastery Trail: circular tour Megen
(1 hour) 4.8 km

The circular walk on this map lets you discover the beautiful countryside around the Poor Clares and Franciscan monastery in Megen. The route is 4....

Picturesque places

The most famous person of North Brabant is master painter Vincent van Gogh, with his story told by monuments throughout the entire region. Examples are the Vincent van GoghHuis in his place of birth, Zundert, and the Van Gogh Village Museum in Nuenen, where you go on a journey through the life of the master painter.

Van Gogh’s monuments are best explored using the Van Gogh cycling and walking tours. These tours take you through the Van Gogh National Park, which holds the landscapes that so inspired him.

Van Gogh cycle route Zundert – Northwest
Van Gogh cycle route Zundert – Northwest
(3 hour 50 minutes) 46.0 km

This Van Gogh cycle route will introduce you to the six Van Gogh Monuments in Zundert, the five Van Gogh Monuments in Etten-Leur and various places...
Van Gogh cycle route Zundert – Northeast
Van Gogh cycle route Zundert – Northeast
(4 hour 40 minutes) 56.0 km

This Van Gogh cycle route will introduce you to the six Van Gogh Monuments in Zundert.
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Breda
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Breda
(2 hour 45 minutes) 33.0 km

This Van Gogh cycle route takes you past the Van Gogh highlights in and around Breda and Tilburg. There is a lovely connecting loop between both ci...
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Etten-Leur North
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Etten-Leur North
(2 hour 30 minutes) 32.0 km

This Van Gogh cycle route starts in the centre of Etten-Leur, close to the five Van Gogh Monuments.
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Etten-Leur South
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Etten-Leur South
(2 hour 25 minutes) 29.0 km

The start of a career The Van Gogh family lived in Etten from 1875 to 1882. Father Theodorus was the minister there. Etten was frequently a place o...
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Eindhoven
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Eindhoven
(3 hour 20 minutes) 40.0 km

In the period that Vincent van Gogh lived in Nuenen (1883-1885), he regularly walked to Eindhoven. He had three students there and gave lessons in...
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Helvoirt
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Helvoirt
(1 hour 40 minutes) 21.0 km

Helvoirt is located in a rural area in the middle of North Brabant. This little gem, surrounded by beautiful countryside, forms part of the Van Gog...
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Tilburg
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Tilburg
(4 hour) 48.0 km

On 15 September 1866, Vincent van Gogh who was then thirteen years old, was registered in the council records in Tilburg.
Vincent van Gogh cycle route ’s-Hertogenbosch
Vincent van Gogh cycle route ’s-Hertogenbosch
(2 hour 35 minutes) 31.0 km

's-Hertogenbosch kent een rijke historie die teruggaat naar het jaar 1185. Binnen de stadsmuren heeft ’s-Hertogenbosch haar middeleeuwse structuur...
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Nuenen
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Nuenen
(4 hour 5 minutes) 49.0 km

You will be cycling through a Vincent van Gogh painting on this route, past a unique collection of buildings, monuments and landscapes.
Van Gogh NP walking tour Nuenen
Van Gogh NP walking tour Nuenen
(2 hour 10 minutes) 10.0 km

This walking tour takes you through beautiful countryside and past Nuenen’s heritage.
Van Gogh NP walking tour Etten-Leur
Van Gogh NP walking tour Etten-Leur
(3 hour 30 minutes) 14.0 km

Welcome to Etten-Leur. This is the place where Vincent van Gogh started his artistic career in 1881.
Van Gogh NP walking tour in Zundert
Van Gogh NP walking tour in Zundert
(1 hour 30 minutes) 8.0 km

The extremely varied walking tour (8 km) takes you through Vincent’s birthplace of Zundert.
Van Gogh NP walking tour Tilburg
Van Gogh NP walking tour Tilburg
(4 hour) 16.0 km

Discover the area where the young Vincent took drawing lessons.
Van Gogh NP Walking Route Helvoirt
Van Gogh NP Walking Route Helvoirt
(3 hour 20 minutes) 15.0 km

Discover all the places where Vincent van Gogh lived and worked.

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The Markiezenhof in Bergen op Zoom is the oldest city palace in the Netherlands and one of Europe’s finest. In the 15th century, the Markiezenhof was the residential palace for the gentlemen and Marquis of Bergen op Zoom. The galleries, stately halls, period rooms and exhibition areas allow you to experience the story of that time.

Be sure to explore the rest of Bergen op Zoom, a city with more than 800 monuments! You can visit the Gevangenpoort or Prisoners’ Gate, which now contains an escape room. At the Grote Markt, you can climb the remarkable tower of the Sint-Gertrudiskerk, also called the Peperbus or the ‘pepper plant tower’. And for those who love to hike: Bergen op Zoom lies on the Zuiderwaterlinie path!