Den Bosch or actually you should say ‘s-Hertogenbosch is located in the north of the province of North Brabant, not far from the border with Gelderland. It is the fourth largest city in North Brabant in terms of population. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands, mainly because of the beautiful historic center of den Bosch. Den Bosch is one of the cultural capitals of the Netherlands. There are many museums in the city and several stages for cabaret, theater and music performances. There are many places of interest in Den Bosch, most of which can be found in the historic center of the city. Think of the beautiful town hall on the market, St. John’s Cathedral and the old fortifications.
Top 10 things to do in Den Bosch
#1. St John’s Cathedral
According to ehealthfacts, the Sint Janskathedraal is a beautiful cathedral on the edge of the center of Den Bosch. The cathedral is on the corner of Parade and Torenstraat. The Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Evangelist was built in the Brabant Gothic style and is generally seen as one of the most beautiful buildings in this style. What makes the cathedral special are the double flying buttresses and the almost one hundred flying buttress figures. You will not find these flying buttress figures anywhere else in the world. Other special aspects of the church are the statue of Sweet Mother, the sixteenth century choir stalls and the flying buttress chairs.
#2. Uilenburg
De Uilenberg is one of the nicest neighborhoods in the historic center of Den Bosch. The neighborhood was hopelessly run down in the 1960s and 1970s. Nowadays it is the place where the nicest restaurants and cafes in Den Bosch can be found. The Binnendieze runs like a red thread through the district. Most streets in the district have been made car-free, so that in the summer months you can sit on the terrace at one of the many cafes and restaurants in the district. In addition to the many catering companies in Uilenburg, you will find some of the nicest shops in Den Bosch here.
#3. Noordbrabants Museum
The Noordbrabants Museum is, as the name suggests, a museum that is completely devoted to North Brabant. In particular about the art and culture of this province, but also about the long interesting history of the region. The museum is located in a former Military Government. In 2013, the renovated Noordbrabant museum opened its doors and together with the Stedelijk Museum ‘s-Hertogenbosch it forms the museum quarter. The museum includes works of art by Pieter Breughel and Vincent van Gogh. There is also a section devoted to medieval artists who were inspired by Hieronymus Bosch.
#4. Jheronimus Bosch Art Center
In 2007, the Jheronimus Bosch Art Center opened approximately at the place where ‘s-Hertogenbosch’s most famous son was born. The center is intended as a tribute to Hieronymus Bosch, who spent the majority of his life in Den Bosch. In the center you can find work by artists who are inspired by Bosch. However, it is more than just a museum, there is also a library, an auditorium and concerts and performances are regularly held in the center. A visit to the Jheronimus Bosch Art Center should not be missed during a visit to Den Bosch.
#5. Bossche bollen
Bossche bollen are probably the best-known and tastiest pastries that you can find in Den Bosch. Every self-respecting catering establishment and almost every bakery in Den Bosch sells this sweet delicacy. A Bossche bol consists of choux batter that is filled with whipped cream and glazed with dark chocolate. The diameter of an ordinary Bossche bulb is approximately twelve centimeters. In Den Bosch people do not talk about the Bossche bol but about a shekladebol which means something like chocolate ball. According to many people, the Bossche bol Jan de Groot is the tastiest.
#6. Cruise on the Binnendieze
If you want to see den Bosch from a different side, you can take a cruise on the Binnendieze. There are two different boarding points, one in the historic district of Uilenburg and near the Parade on the corner of Zuidwal and Oude Dieze. During the cruise, the skipper will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Den Bosch and its many sights. The restoration of the Binnendieze took about twenty-five years in all. The original length of the Binnedieze was about twelve kilometers. today only four kilometers of this remains intact. The four kilometer long tour takes you to the most beautiful places in Den Bosch.
#7. Paleiskwartier
The Paleiskwartier is a new beautifully designed neighborhood just next to the center of Den Bosch. In the district you will find homes, beautiful office complexes and cozy catering establishments. What stands out when you walk through the neighborhood are the many beautifully designed buildings that have been built between the many water features and public parks. The district therefore forms a great contrast with the historic city center of Den Bosch. If you would like to see more of this modern residential area in an old city, you can take an architect’s walk through the district.
#8. Town Hall
The town hall of Den Bosch was built in the Dutch Classicism style and is the showpiece of the city’s main market square. The town hall of Den Bosch has been located on this spot in the city since the fourteenth century. Over the centuries, the building has been extensively renovated several times and largely rebuilt after a major fire. During this renovation in the seventeenth century, the town hall got its current appearance. High above the town hall in the clock tower is another clock dating from the fourteenth century. The bells of the town hall are rung every half hour.
#9. Bastionder
The Bastionder is, as its name suggests, an underground bastion. Today, Bastion Oranje houses an information center about Den Bosch’s wartime history. In the bastion you can take a look at the city’s 500-year-old city walls. The bastion was built at the beginning of the seventeenth century when the city was taken by the armies of Prince Frederick Henderick. In the Bastionder is the wrought iron gun Stuer Ghewalt.
#10. Municipal museum ‘s-Hertogenbosch
The municipal museum of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, often also referred to as sm-s, is a museum where a nice varied collection of modern and contemporary visual art and design can be seen. The museum has undergone a major makeover and has been open to the public since May 2013. The museum’s collection includes some works by Pablo Picasso and Alessandro Mendini. In addition to the major works, works of art by up-and-coming Dutch talents are on display. Temporary exhibitions are regularly held in the museum. The Municipal Museum of ‘s-Hertogenbosch now forms the museum quarter of Den Bosch together with the Noordbrabants Museum.
