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Bergen op Zoom

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▸Introduction570 chars

Bergen op Zoom is a city in the west of the Dutch province of North Brabant in The Netherlands. Situated on the border of neighbouring province Zeeland, the city lies on the hills of the "Brabantse wal", an area heightened over the centuries under influence of the river Schelde and the Sea. The area is dotted with historic estates and large parts of it are natural reserves, making it a fine destination for hikers. Bergen op Zoom is known as pleasant and historic city, packed with monumental buildings, plenty of good shopping opportunities and many welcoming cafés.

▸Understand256 chars

This is a historical city with about 66,000 inhabitants and a strategic location close to both Rotterdam and Antwerp. Nevertheless it has the typical atmosphere of a North-Brabant city. It is said that hotel De Draak is the oldest hotel in the Netherlands.

▸History1,389 chars

Bergen op Zoom originated in the Middle Ages from the combined growth of three small settlements. It was walled in 1330 and received city rights in 1347 . The city was the administrative center of the area. From 1533, the lords of the city from the house of Glymes were allowed to carry the title of Marquis. Their palace (Markiezenhof) is a museum now. About 1500, Bergen op Zoom was, with its port on the Oosterschelde and its fairs, a major trade competitor for Antwerp. Two differing influences caused a decline: massive floods with storm surges to the hinterland and the impact of the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648).

In 1577, during the Eighty Years' War, the Spanish who were expelled from the city, made numerous attempts to recapture it: In 1581 and 1588 (by Alessandro Farnese), in 1605 and 1622 (by Ambrogio Spinola).

The fort of Bergen op Zoom was created in 1688 by Menno van Coehoorn and was considered one of the strongest fortresses of the Low Countries. However, in 1747 it was taken by the French general Löwendahl after a three-month siege. Just one year later, due to the Aachen Peace treaty, the French had to evacuate the fort.

On 30 January 1795 Bergen op Zoom was handed over to the French without a fight. In 1814 there was an unsuccessful attempt to capture the fortress by a British force commanded by General Graham.

In 1867 the fort was abandoned and dismantled.

▸Tourist information179 chars

1 VVV Brabantse Wal, Kortemeestraat 19, ☏ +31 164 277482, info@vvvbrabantsewal.nl. Tu 10:00-17:00. Friendly staff with extensive information about Bergen op Zoom and surroundings.

▸By car301 chars

Bergen op Zoom is on the junction of highways from North to South (A4 and A17) and East to West (A58) making it easy to reach the city by car. Long time parking in the center is only possible in paid parking lots. Garages in the center are: Grote Markt and De Parade (€1.26 per hour, €9.50 full day).

▸By train261 chars

NS intercity trains run from/to Roosendaal and Vlissingen. For Antwerp you need a change in Roosendaal. Intercity trains arrive and depart twice per hour. The railway station is east of the inner city and on less than 1 km walking distance from the Grote Markt.

▸By bus192 chars

The public transport in Bergen op Zoom and to/from Roosendaal is done by Veolia Transport. For heading to Zeeland you are reliant on Connexxion. The bus station is next to the railway station.

▸By foot110 chars

Visiting the historical inner city is best done by foot because some streets and squares are pedestrian areas.

▸By taxi28 chars

Revo taxi, ☏ +31 164 252000.

▸By bike294 chars

Bike rental (Railway Station), ☏ +31 164 235732. To rent a bike, you need valid identification. You pay a deposit ranging from €50 (for the simplest bike) to €145 (for a tandem). A brand bicycle without gears with coaster costs about €7.50 to €15 per day. This includes insurance against theft.

▸See1,732 chars

1 Gevangenpoort (Lievevrouwepoort), Lievevrouwestraat 60, ☏ +31 164682404. Tu-Su 13:00-16:30. The Gevangenpoort (prison gate) is the oldest monument of the city. The gate dates from the 14th century and is one of the remaining examples of gates as they were in the Middle Ages in Dutch towns. It is the only remaining city gate in Bergen op Zoom, and a national monument. €1.50.

2 Grote Markt. The Grote Markt is the central square of Bergen op Zoom and the oldest part of town. It's surrounded by historical buildings like the Town Hall and Hotel de Draak.

3 Markiezenhof, Steenbergsestraat 8, ☏ +31 164277077, markiezenhof@bergenopzoom.nl. Tu-Su 11:00-17:00. The Markiezenhof is a late Gothic palace, residence of the lords and later the marquis of Bergen op Zoom. Today it hosts exhibitions, events, and a museum on the history of the city. €8.50.

4 Sint-Gertrudiskerk (De Peperbus), Grote Markt 10, ☏ +31 164234377. Tu-Su 13:00-16:30. The oldest part of the church is the body of the tower, which dates from around 1370. The present church building, completed in 1477, was designed by Everaert Spoorwater. He designed a new choir with ambulatory, chapels and side chapels in the ship in the style of Brabant Gothic. €1.50.

5 Stadhuis (Town hall), Grote Markt, ☏ +31 164234377, sbm-boz@planet.nl. Tu-Th Sa Su 13:00-16:30. A late Gothic building origin from 1398. Several city fires put the building to ashes. The current composite building dates from 1600.

6 Fort de Roovere. An earthen fort, part of the Dutch Water Line - a series of water-based defences built in 1628 against Spanish attackers.

7 Moses Bridge (Loopgraafbrug). Access bridge to the fort is submerged in water and thus appears to divide the moat's waters.

▸Do1,685 chars

Make a city walk, visit the Markiezenhof museum and the Sint-Gertrudis church.

1 Ravelijn op den Zoom, Korneel Slootmansstraat, ☏ +31 164 280500. The Ravelijn op den Zoom is the only part that remains of the city wall. It is an early eighteenth century fortress with underground passages. Less than 1 km walking distance from the Grote Markt, it is a perfect location for rest or a picnic.

2 Theater De Maagd, Grote Markt 32. This theatre in the historic heart of Bergen op Zoom owes its atmosphere with the international architecture award-winning transformation from church to theater. De Maagd offers over 100 performances per season and is a popular location for meetings and events

The Brabantse wal (South of Bergen op Zoom just north of airport Woensdrecht). The Brabant shore is a hilly area south of Bergen op Zoom that separates the clay area of Zeeland and the sandy soils of Brabant. This creates a very diverse presence of plant and bird species. The Kraaijenberg, a beautifully situated hill, and Mattemburgh estate are located here. The estate includes a beautiful English and French garden, pond, English Tea House, coach houses and Orangery.

Carnival. During carnival Bergen op Zoom is renamed to Krabbegat (Crab Hole). Traditionally the carnival revelers wear a scarf of lace curtain and a red handkerchief.

3 De Zoom – Kalmthoutse Heide. A cross-border nature area in the Dutch province of North Brabant and the Belgian province of Antwerp. In the Netherlands the area belongs to the system of national parks. It was established in 2001 and is approximately 37.5 km². The diversity of plants and animals is great, as is the number of insects found in the area.

▸Buy328 chars

Week markets - For goods visit the Thursday week market at the Kaai where merchants after 90 stalls sell all kind of products (Th 09:00-15:30, west of Grote Markt). Fresh products such as cheese, fruit, vegetables and flowers are available on the Saturday market at the St. Catherinaplein (Sa 09:00-16:00, north of Grote Markt).

▸Eat1,182 chars

For a small town with around 60,000 inhabitants Bergen op Zoom has a large variety of restaurants of generally good quality.

1 Athene, Fortuinstraat 18, ☏ +31 164 266604, sakisathene@hotmail.com. Greek restaurant. No menu. Speciality dishes from €14.

2 Streek Eet- en Drinklokaal, Steenbergsestraat 3, ☏ +31 164 266 333.

3 De Bloemkool, Wouwsestraatweg 146, ☏ +31 164 233045, debloemkool@home.nl. Th-Sa from 18:00, Su from 12:00, W-F lunch 12:00-14:30, M closed. De bloemkool is Dutch for The Cauliflower, maybe not an inspiring name but this cosy old restaurant (1797) serves populair dishes with a good quality-price ratio. Menu €20-32.

4 Hemingway (Hotel De Draak), Grote Markt 36/38, ☏ +31 164 252050, info@hoteldedraak.nl. This is the restaurant of hotel De Draak with a nice terrace on the central square Menu €45.

5 't Strandhuys, De Boulevard 55, ☏ +31 164 260222, hetstrandhuys@ziggo.nl. Tu-Su 11:30-21:00. A modern French restaurant

6 IJssalon Crusio, Wouwsestraat 10, ☏ +31 164 233239, info@crusio.nl. This ice cream parlour has won multiple national awards and is known, besides its ice cream made according to a secret family recipe, for specialty coffee and tea

▸Drink509 chars

Bergen op Zoom has no shortage of cafes and pubs. You will find several on the Grote Markt.

1 Biercafé 't Locomotiefke, Grote Markt 11, ☏ +31 164 250321, info@locomotiefke.nl. It calls itself Curiositeitencafé (curiosity cafe). When you see the interior you'll understand why

2 Oosterwaal, Potterstraat 31, ☏ +31 164 233025. A small no-nonsense pub

3 Zwijnshoofd, Moeregrebstraat 18, ☏ +31 164 234301, hetzwijnshoofd@planet.nl. Owned by the same family since the opening in 1880. It has a 200-seat theatre.

▸Sleep805 chars

1 Old Dutch, Stationsstraat 29-31, ☏ +31 164 271888, info@hotel-olddutch.nl. Opposite the railway station in a historic building. €79.

2 De Draak, Grote Markt 36, ☏ +31 164 252050, info@hoteldedraak.nl. The oldest hotel of Bergen op Zoom and maybe of the Netherlands. US$247.

3 De Bourgondier, Grote Markt 2-3, ☏ +31 164 254000, info@grandcafehoteldebourgondier.nl. This hotel has 13 rooms. It has a bridal suite for €125 with a view over the Grote Markt. €92.

4 Van Ee, Beursplein 5, ☏ +31 164 299500, info@hoteleetcafevanee.nl. This hotel has only 6 rooms and is opposite the Markiezenhof. The €9.95 breakfast is not included. €92.

Hotel Tulip Inn (Hotel de Schelde), Antwerpsestraat 56 4611 AK, ☏ +31 164820000, info@tulipinnbergenopzoom.com. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 11:00. (updated Nov 2019)

▸Cope175 chars

Library Het Markiezaat, Kortemeestraat 17, ☏ +31 164 243450.

Lievensberg hospital, Boerhaaveplein 1, ☏ +31 164 278000.

Police station, Jacob Obrechtlaan, ☏ +31 900 8844.

▸Connect794 chars

The international telephone country code for the Netherlands is 31, the area code for Bergen op Zoom is 0164. If dialing from abroad, use +31 but then leave out the 0 in the area code.

Free Wi-Fi spots are available in most hotels and libraries.

There are two full service post offices in the centre of town, one inside a book store and the other in a supermarket. If you're only looking for stamps, you can also get them at other book stores, the V&D department store (Stationsstraat 1) and Kruidvat (Gouvernemenstplein 29).

Inside BLZ book store, Lievevrouwestraat 12, ☏ +31 900 0990.

Inside Jumbo Supermarket, Burg Van Hasseltstraat 1. M-Sa 08:00-21:00, Su 10:00-18:00. Mail is picked up for processing at 18:00 latest, so anything posted afterwards will only be processed the next day.

▸Go next277 chars

Bergen op Zoom is central located for a visit to the province of Zeeland with its wonderful cities like Middelburg and Zierikzee and its large sandy beaches, for a visit to Antwerp in Belgium or to go inland North Brabant to the city of Breda or to the Biesbosch National Park.

Facts

Rank

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Coordinates

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage

Media

From Wikipedia1,524 words

WBP editorial3

Cross‑border character

Straddling the line between North Brabant and Zeeland, Bergen op Zoom inherits a blend of cultural habits that slip unnoticed in guidebooks. Residents often swap their crisp Brabantian dialect for the breezier Zeelandic slang when crossing the municipal border for a market or a quick coffee, creating a subtle linguistic mosaic. This liminality also shows in cuisine: a plate of Zeeland mussels can sit beside a hearty Brabantian stamppot in the same restaurant, reflecting the city’s role as a culinary crossroads. For travellers keen on understanding regional identity, a stroll along the historic walls toward the old harbour offers a living illustration of how administrative borders shape daily life more than maps suggest.

Cycling beyond the centre

While the city’s centre is compact enough for a leisurely walk, the surrounding countryside rewards cyclists with flat, well‑marked routes that link historic farms, wind‑touched polders and the edge of the Zuid‑Westhoek nature reserve. Renting a Dutch city bike and heading southward you’ll pass through the 13 km of water‑covered terrain that accounts for a fifth of the municipality’s area – a reminder that the city’s landscape is as much aquatic as terrestrial. Stop at a modest roadside café for a slice of ‘boterkoek’ and a cold ‘bitterbal’ brew, then continue onto the narrow lanes that were once supply routes for the 1588 Siege of Bergen op Zoom, letting you ride through layers of history at a comfortable pace.

When festivals shape the calendar

Bergen op Zoom’s calendar is punctuated by events that draw visitors from the surrounding provinces without ever making the headlines abroad. The annual ‘Bergen op Zoom Blues & Roots’ festival, held in early summer, transforms the town’s historic squares into intimate stages, where local blues societies share the platform with emerging Dutch acts. A few weeks later, the ‘Stadspekel’ food fair showcases regional produce, from Brabantian cheese to Zeelandic oysters, often hosted in the renovated Markiezenhof. Timing your visit to coincide with either event offers a glimpse into the city’s communal spirit and its capacity to fuse music, food and heritage in a way that feels both relaxed and distinctly local.

Introduction

City and municipality in North Brabant, NetherlandsBergen op ZoomCity and municipalityMarkiezenhof in Bergen op Zoom FlagCoat of armsAnthem: Merck toch hoe sterckLocation in North BrabantBergen op ZoomLocation within the NetherlandsShow map of NetherlandsBergen op ZoomLocation within EuropeShow map of EuropeCoordinates: 51°30′N 4°18′E / 51.500°N 4.300°E / 51.500; 4.300CountryNetherlandsProvinceNorth BrabantGovernment • BodyMunicipal council • MayorMargo Mulder (PVDA)Area • Total93.13 km2 (35.96 sq mi) • Land79.96 km2 (30.87 sq mi) • Water13.17 km2 (5.08 sq mi)Elevation10 m (33 ft)Population (January 2021) • Total67,514 • Density844/km2 (2,190/sq mi)DemonymBergenaarTime zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Postcode4600–4625, 4660–4664Area code0164Websitewww.bergenopzoom.nl Bergen op Zoom (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌbɛrɣə(n) ɔp ˈsoːm] ⓘ; called Berrege [ˈbɛrəɣə] in the local dialect) is a city and municipality in southwestern Netherlands. It is located in the province of North Brabant, at the provincial border with Zeeland. In 2025, the municipality had a population of 70,216.

Etymology

[edit] The city was built on a site where two types of soil meet: sandy soil and marine clay. The sandy soil pushed against the marine clay, accumulating and forming hills over several centuries. People called those hills the Brabantse Wal, literally meaning "ramparts of Brabant". Zoom refers to the border of these ramparts and bergen in Dutch means mountains or hills. The name has nothing to do with the little channel, the Zoom, which was later built through Bergen op Zoom.

History

[edit] Bergen op Zoom in 1649. Note marshes (left, top right), canalized diversion of the Scheldt and extensive fortifications. Topographic map of Bergen op Zoom, March 2014 Bergen op Zoom was granted city status probably in 1212. In 1287 the city and its surroundings became a lordship as it was separated from the lordship of Breda. The lordship was elevated to a margraviate in 1559. Several noble families, including the House of Glymes, ruled Bergen op Zoom in succession until 1795, although the title was only nominal since at least the seventeenth century. During the early modern period, Bergen op Zoom was a very strong fortress and one of the main armories and arsenals of the United Provinces. It had a remarkable natural defensive site, surrounded as it was by marshes and easily flooded polders. Furthermore, it could receive reinforcements and supplies by sea, if the besieging army did not have a fleet to blockade its port. Due to these features, the city was one of the strategic points held by the Dutch during their revolt in the Eighty Years War, beginning in the late sixteenth century. It was at that time besieged by Alessandro Farnese first in 1588, and by Ambrosio Spinola a second time in 1622. Both sieges were unsuccessful, and Bergen op Zoom got the nickname La Pucelle or The Virgin as it was never successfully taken in a siege. In 1747, during the War of the Austrian Succession, the French army laid siege to the city. Bergen op Zoom had been fortified by new works built at the beginning of the 17th century by Menno van Coehoorn, with three forts surrounding the city and a canalized diversion of the Scheldt acting as a ditch around its walls. However, it had no second line of fortifications, nor any fortress. After seventy days of siege, the city was taken and thoroughly sacked; the garrison was slaughtered. During the War of the Sixth Coalition, the town was again besieged by the British in March 1814 in a failed attempt to dislodge the French garrison. Trading town[edit] During the reign of Jan II van Glymes (1417–1494), nicknamed "Jan metten Lippen" (meaning "Jan with the big lips", probably caused by an infection), a surge in economic growth occurred in the city. Large fairs were held twice a year, in spring and fall, that were known both nationally and internationally. Merchants from all over Europe came to Bergen op Zoom to sell their goods. Because of this major economic growth, the Sint-Gertrudischurch was enlarged. The enlargement was called the Nieuw Werck but was never finished, because of the economic recession of the mid-16th century. It fell into ruin. The economic recession was largely caused by the poor accessibility of the port, due to a number of floods in Zeeland and West-Brabant. Because of the great reliance on the port, the economic growth received a major blow. In addition, the modernization of trade techniques, such as establishing of a permanent stock exchange instead of the fairs, which took place twice a year, also damaged the local economy. The fairs continued until 1910. Despite the end of the two big fairs, Bergen op Zoom still hosts all kinds of smaller fairs and events. Religion[edit] During the Eighty Years' War, Bergen op Zoom chose the side of the Dutch Republic, and, simultaneously, Protestantism. The Catholics of the city either adapted or moved to the surrounding countryside, which remained largely Catholic. The inhabitants who chose to stay Catholic went to church in secret barns and houses, since the local Sint-Getrudischurch was assigned to the Protestant community. Slowly, most of the city council members of Bergen op Zoom became Protestant. Protestants dominated the council until the 18th century. After that, the number of Catholics in Bergen op Zoom increased and, during the second part of the 18th century, a majority of Bergen op Zoom's population was Catholic again. Although the Catholics enjoyed religious freedom during the French period in 1795–1814, their emancipation did not take place until later. In 1832, a Catholic parish, the ‘Heilige Maagd ten Ophemeling’, was allowed to have its own church. In the same period, the Jewish community built a synagogue for their use. In 1972, the Protestant community, after the loss of many members, gave the Sint-Getrudischurch to the Catholic parish. Since the return of the Church, Catholic services have been held here again. As a result of Turkish and Moroccan immigration to the Netherlands, the city has a significant Muslim minority.

Population centres

[edit] Bergen op Zoom (population: 65,691, July 2006) Heimolen Halsteren (11,410) Lepelstraat (2,070) Kladde

City of Bergen op Zoom

[edit] Gevangenpoort, the oldest monument in Bergen op Zoom Grote Markt Gertrudiskerk Bergen op Zoom, fountain and bridge in park The Marketplace at Bergen op Zoom. Attributed to Abel Grimmer, 1590s. National Gallery of Art, Washington. The Markiezenhof Palace, built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, houses a cultural centre and a museum with a picturesque courtyard, paintings, period rooms, and temporary exhibitions. SABIC Innovative Plastics operates a major manufacturing facility in Bergen op Zoom. Philip Morris was another major employer until it closed its plant in 2014. The oldest hotel in the Netherlands, Hotel De Draak, which was founded in 1397, is located in the historic center of the city. The current building is from 1500 and is a protected monument.

Notable people

[edit] Jacob Obrecht, 1496 Erasmus, 1523 Willeboirts Bosschaert, 1637 The arts[edit] Jacob Obrecht (1457–1505) composer, mainly of sacred music Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536) humanist, philosopher, author Abel Grimmer (1570–1619) a Flemish late Renaissance painter, mainly of landscapes Gerrit Houckgeest (1600–1661) a Dutch Golden Age painter of architectural scenes and church interiors Bartram de Fouchier (1609–1673) a Dutch Golden Age painter Marcus Zuerius van Boxhorn (1612–1653) historian, author and scholar Thomas Willeboirts Bosschaert (1613–1654) a Flemish Baroque painter Pieter van der Willigen (1634–1694) a Flemish Baroque painter Govert-Marinus Augustijn (1871–1963) a Dutch Art Nouveau potter Kees Smout (1876–1961) a Dutch sculptor Anton van Duinkerken (1903–1968) a Dutch poet, essayist and academic Louis Boekhout (1919–2012) a Dutch painter who emigrated to Québec, Canada Pleuni Touw (born 1938) a Dutch film, television and theatre actress Adriaan Ditvoorst (1940–1987) a Dutch film director, screenwriter Cornald Maas (born 1967) a Dutch television presenter Martin Fondse (born 1967) a Dutch pianist and composer who plays the vibrandoneon Bob van Luijt (born 1985) a Dutch technology entrepreneur, technologist and new media artist Julia Boschman (born 2002) a Dutch singer in famous girl group K3 Public thinking and public service[edit] Pieter Gerardus van Overstraten (1755–1801) last Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies Gerrit Verdooren van Asperen (1757–1824) vice-admiral of the Royal Netherlands Navy Jacob Van Braam (1729–1792) a soldier of fortune, swordmaster and mercenary. Gillis Pieter de Neve (1823–1883) commander of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Albert Vogel (1874–1933) a Dutch Army officer and teacher Peter Sitsen (1885–1945) a military officer, building contractor and public servant in colonial Indonesia Ed Nijpels (born 1950) a retired Dutch politician Virginie Korte-van Hemel (1929–2014) a Dutch politician Bernard de Wit (born 1945) a Dutch theoretical physicist and academic Paul Schnabel (born 1948) a Dutch sociologist, academic and politician Wim Crusio (born 1954) a Dutch behavioral neurogeneticist and academic Fatma Koşer Kaya (born 1968) a Dutch lawyer and politician of Turkish origin Sports[edit] Rico Verhoeven, 2009 Reindert de Favauge (1872–1949) a sport shooter, competed at the 1908 and 1920 Summer Olympics Henk Kersken (1880–1967) a sailor who competed at the 1928 Summer Olympics Barent Momma (1897–1936) a modern pentathlete, competed at the 1924 Summer Olympics Willem van Rhijn (1903–1979) a modern pentathlete, competed at the 1928 and 1932 Summer Olympics Janus van der Zande (1924–2016) a marathon runner, competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics Maarten Sikking (1948–2009) a field hockey goalkeeper, competed at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics Rico Verhoeven (born 1989) a kickboxer Oussama Idrissi (born 1996) a footballer

Twin towns – sister cities

[edit] See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the Netherlands Bergen op Zoom is twinned with: Oudenaarde, Belgium Szczecinek, Poland Edmonton, Canada