What to see in Tilburg?
That’s what I used to be making an attempt to determine whereas planning my journey to Tilburg a few weeks in the past. I used to be attending a live performance there, so I made a decision to increase my go to and discover that mysterious Dutch city extra. I didn’t know loads about Tilburg previous to my go to (moreover that Vincent van Gogh spent a while there), so I wasn’t anticipating a lot. However, boy, was I stunned after I lastly arrived there.
What to see in Tilburg
“You fell in love with Tilburg at second sight.” Nicole from Advertising Tilburg advised me whereas we have been sipping espresso on the Smeer ‘m.
I wasn’t positive I totally understood what she meant by that, however after spending extra time within the metropolis, all of it clicked for me! In contrast to essentially the most different Dutch cities, Tilburg doesn’t have a standard historic city centre full of charming gabled homes, a grand church on the primary sq., and cobblestone streets that witnessed individuals like Rembrandt or Vermeer strolling round them.
The town has been rebuilt a number of instances all through historical past, reshaped and adjusted to raised serve its residents. This distinctive evolution has contributed to its liveability and made it house to locations like LocHal, which appears like the town’s lounge. It’s the proper spot to fulfill associates, learn a ebook, or loosen up and admire its trendy structure.
A couple of issues it is best to find out about Tilburg
“Right here I can breathe freely and I really feel joyful.”
King William II (1792-1849)
- With a inhabitants of virtually 230,000 inhabitants, Tilburg is the seventh-largest metropolis within the Netherlands. It’s situated within the southern a part of the nation, within the area known as Brabant.
- The town is well-known for its college, which additionally makes it fairly a younger metropolis with a full of life nightlife.
- Though not a lot is thought about it, Tilburg’s historical past begins within the Center Ages. The textile business flourished right here, initially counting on house producers. Nevertheless, from the mid-Nineteenth century onward, quite a few factories have been established, making Tilburg the wool capital of the Netherlands within the twentieth century till the business declined within the Sixties.
- Dutch King William II had a powerful affection for Tilburg, visiting steadily and supporting the wool manufacturing whereas befriending many native farmers. To spend extra time within the metropolis, he started developing a palace, which was accomplished simply days earlier than his dying. As we speak, the palace is part of the town corridor. However you can even discover a statue of King William II in Tilburg, and see the connection between the monarch and the town within the title of the native soccer membership, Willem II Tilburg.
Cultural websites in Tilburg
In Tilburg, I used to be pleasantly stunned by the huge quantity of public artwork and cultural websites to discover. I used to be additionally in luck as a result of the Kaapstaad Pageant was taking place in Tilburg throughout my go to, with quite a few performances and happenings organised.
One spotlight for me was writing a message, inserting it in a bottle, and releasing it right into a fountain on Stadhuisplein. I then retrieved one other bottle containing a message from another person and browse it. Experiences like these actually improve the town’s environment and make you admire it much more.
⤷ TIP: For more information in regards to the occasions in Tilburg, take a look at the Advertising Tilburg web siteAdvertising Tilburg web site.
Vincent van Gogh in Tilburg
“I stay in one of many suburbs of London, the place it’s comparatively quiet. It’s a bit like Tilburg or some such place.”
Vincent van Gogh’s letter to his brother Theo, 13 June 1873
Vincent van Gogh, some of the famend painters in historical past, grew up and commenced his artwork profession within the area of Brabant. He attended college in Tilburg for 2 years, from 1866 to 1868, which suggests there are a number of places in Tilburg related to this beloved artist.
⤷ Learn extra: Areas linked to Vincent van Gogh within the Netherlands
Vincent van Gogh’s College
Vincent van Gogh attended the Rijks Hogere Burger College in Tilburg, the place he took drawing courses beginning on the age of 13. The constructing was initially constructed as a palace for King William II, however he by no means used it because of his dying shortly after its completion. As an alternative, the constructing was transformed into the next secondary college, the place Van Gogh was one of many first college students.
Throughout his time there, he studied historical past, geography, languages, and extra; nonetheless, essentially the most vital facet of his schooling was the drawing classes he obtained. In his first 12 months, he had 4 hours of drawing classes per week, which decreased to 3 hours in his second 12 months. His drawing instructor was Fixed Cornelis Huijsmans, who was well-respected as an artwork teacher of his time.
His grades present that younger Vincent was among the many high college students, however for an unknown cause, he left college after two years.
⤷ TIP: Whereas Vincent’s drawing room within the constructing was beforehand open to guests, it has been closed since 2025. Examine the Stadsmuseum Tilburg’s web site for updates.
Van Gogh Monuments at Sint Annaplein
Throughout his two years in Tilburg, Vincent van Gogh lived in a boarding home on Sint Annaplein. Though you may’t go to it, you may see the precise location on Sint Annaplein 18.
The entire sq. on which the home is situated is devoted to its well-known former resident. On every bench within the sq., you will discover a quote from a few of Van Gogh’s letters. Moreover, there are a number of statues and a mosaic impressed by one of many well-known painter’s self-portraits.
⤷ Learn extra: Be taught extra about Van Gogh’s life and places the place he lived in my artwork crime novel, “Following Van Gogh”
Poppodium 013
The primary cause for my seek for issues to do in Tilburg was a live performance I used to be attending at Poppodium 013. It’s the biggest and among the best pop music venues within the Netherlands.
They recurrently organise a variety of live shows, so control their web site to see what’s occurring.
⤷ Learn extra: 25 Stunning UNESCO World Heritage Websites in Europe
De Stijl in Tilburg
Tilburg performed a major position within the growth of some of the essential trendy artwork actions, De Stijl. One among its founders, Theo van Doesburg, was stationed in Tilburg as a soldier in 1914. There, he met Anthony Kok, a railway employee and poet, and so they collaborated to formulate the preliminary concepts for the brand new fashion, De Stijl.
Anthony Kok, Theo van Doesburg, and his spouse, Nelly van Doesburg, additionally organised Dadaist evenings in Tilburg through the early Nineteen Twenties, inserting it within the European map of contemporary artwork.
You possibly can nonetheless discover many hyperlinks to De Stijl in Tilburg at the moment. In case you’d like to try this throughout your go to to Tilburg, observe the “Within the Footsteps of De Stijl in Tilburg” tour designed by Esther Porcelijn and Serge van Duijnhoven. You possibly can learn extra about it and watch brief movies earlier than your go to on this hyperlink.
LocHal
The remnants of Tilburg’s industrial previous are nonetheless seen within the metropolis at the moment. Nevertheless, a lot of these former industrial buildings have been later reworked into residential or cultural areas. And they’re what is going to make you fall in love with this Dutch metropolis (at second sight).
LocHal was certainly one of my favorite locations of that sort in Tilburg. A former railway upkeep workshop was reworked into the town library and a stupendous cultural venue and concrete house in 2019. Since its transformation, it has gained quite a few awards for its structure and efficient use of house. Right here, yow will discover a library, a small store, exhibitions, and a café. It’s undoubtedly an fascinating place so as to add to your checklist of issues to do in Tilburg.
⤷ TIP: In case you’d wish to be taught extra about this fascinating place, be a part of one of many every day guided excursions in English. Observe this hyperlink for more information.
Museums in Tilburg
Tilburg is house to a number of nice museums, making it an ideal cultural spot for artwork lovers. Most of them are situated shut to one another, so you may simply go to a number of in a single day. De Pont Museum is a superb place to discover up to date artwork, notably throughout its particular exhibitions. In case you’re extra fascinated with flora, fauna and studying about human growth, the Nature Museum Brabant is a superb place to go.
Textiel Museum
Given Tilburg’s wealthy textile historical past, it’s no shock that one of many metropolis’s high museums is devoted to this business. The Textiel Museum, situated in a former textile manufacturing unit, is a spot the place historical past and future are mixed. Right here, you may be taught in regards to the craft of textile making, its historic significance, and discover future developments within the business. The museum’s TextielLab is the place you may be taught extra about it in a extra immersive approach and even attempt to create one thing your self.
Efteling
Efteling is the most well-liked leisure park within the Netherlands. Impressed by fairytales, you may take pleasure in a number of the adrenaline rides, but additionally immerse your self within the magical world of tales. It’s situated solely 15 kilometres (round 9 miles) from Tilburg, so you may simply go to it from there.
The place to have breakfast in Tilburg
One among my favorite methods to really feel a vibe of the town is by having breakfast at a number of the charming restaurant terraces within the metropolis centre, having fun with the meals whereas watching the world go by. Throughout my keep in Tilburg, I had breakfast at a small sq. on the intersection of Frederikstraat and Emmapassage. It’s the place a number of good breakfast eating places in Tilburg are situated. I went to Anne&Max as a result of I used to be up for a lighter breakfast. Nevertheless, simply throughout the road are Tom & the Blenders and Bam!, the place yow will discover good sandwiches, smoothies, and different breakfast choices.
The place to remain in Tilburg
In case you’re planning to spend an evening in Tilburg, listed below are a number of suggestions for locations to remain in Tilburg.
- Mercure Resort Tilburg Centrum – Throughout my journey to Tilburg, I stayed on the Mercure Resort Tilburg Centrum. As its title suggests, it has an important location, proper within the Tilburg metropolis centre. It’s additionally conveniently situated proper across the nook from the Poppodium 013 music venue. The lodge has a swimming pool and sauna, and a beautiful restaurant on the bottom ground.
- Resort Central Tilburg – This just lately opened lodge, situated proper throughout the Tilburg prepare station, is a gem for any artwork lover visiting Tilburg. Every lodge room is devoted to a different member or an individual essential for the event of the De Stijl (or Dadaist) motion. I obtained to discover the lodge with native artist Tine van de Weyer, who designed all of the rooms, and liked exploring all of the historical past and inspiration behind its design.
⤷ TIP: Smeer ‘m – restaurant on its floor ground is a superb cease for lunch. I particularly advocate the salmon salad and smoothies there.
Nestled in one of many greenest provinces of the Netherlands, Brabant, Tilburg stays an undiscovered gem value visiting. I loved my journey there a lot that I’m already trying ahead to my subsequent go to. I hope this text will make it easier to plan your journey to this glorious Dutch city.
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