Bergen op Zoom

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.

History

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 Frence had to evacuate the fort.
On 30 January 1795 Bergen op Zoom was handed over to the French without a fight. In 1814 after a successful attempt by the general Graham the fort was taken by the British and the French had to leave again.
In 1867 the fort was abandoned and dismantled.

Tourist information

• VVV Brabantse Wal

  phone: +31 164 277482
  address: Kortemeestraat 19
  Friendly staff with extensive information about Bergen op Zoom and surroundings.

By car

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 train

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 bus

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 foot

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

By taxi

• Revo taxi

  phone: +31 164 252000

By bike

• Bike rental

  phone: +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.

• Gevangenpoort

  phone: +31 164682404
  address: Lievevrouwestraat 60
  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.

• Grote MarktThe 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.

• Markiezenhof

  phone: +31 164277077
  address: Steenbergsestraat 8
  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.

• Sint-Gertrudiskerk

  phone: +31 164234377
  address: Grote Markt 10
  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.

• Stadhuis

  phone: +31 164234377
  address: Grote Markt
  A late Gothic building origin from 1398. Several city fires put the building to ashes. The current composite building dates from 1600.

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

• Ravelijn op den Zoom

  phone: +31 164 280500
  address: Korneel Slootmansstraat
  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. On less then 1km walking distance from the Grote Markt, it is a perfect location for rest or a picnic.

• Theater De Maagd

  address: Grote Markt 32
  This theater 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 walThe 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.

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

• Week markets - For goods visit the Thursday week market at the Kaai where merchants after 90 stalls sell all kind of products (Thu 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 (Sat 9.00-16.00, north of Grote Markt).

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

• Athene

  phone: +31 164 266604
  address: Fortuinstraat 18
  Greek restaurant.

• Streek Eet- en Drinklokaal

  phone: +31 164 266 333
  address: Steenbergsestraat 3

• De Bloemkool

  phone: +31 164 233045
  address: Wouwsestraatweg 146
  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.

• Hemingway

  phone: +31 164 252050
  address: Grote Markt 36/38
  This is the restaurant of hotel De Draak with a nice terrace on the central square

• 't Strandhuys

  phone: +31 164 260222
  address: De Boulevard 55
  A modern French restaurant

• IJssalon Crusio

  phone: +31 164 233239
  address: Wouwsestraat 10
  This ice cream parlor has won multiple national awards and is known, besides its ice cream made according to a secret family recipe, for specialty coffee and tea

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

• Biercafé 't Locomotiefke

  phone: +31 164 250321
  address: Grote Markt 11
  It calls itself Curiositeitencafé (curiosity cafe). When you see the interior you'll understand why

• Oosterwaal

  phone: +31 164 233025
  address: Potterstraat 31
  A small no nonsense pub

• Zwijnshoofd

  phone: +31 164 234301
  address: Moeregrebstraat 18
  Owned by the same family since the opening in 1880. Recently expanded with a 200 seats theater.

• Old Dutch

  phone: +31 164 271888
  address: Stationsstraat 29-31
  Hotel Old Dutch is located opposite the railway station in a historic building.

• De Draak

  phone: +31 164 252050
  address: Grote Markt 36
  The oldest hotel of Bergen op Zoom and maybe of the Netherlands.

• De Bourgondier

  phone: +31 164 254000
  address: Grote Markt 2-3
  This hotel has 13 rooms. It has a bridal suite for €125 with a view over the Grote Markt.

• Van Ee

  phone: +31 164 299500
  address: Beursplein 5
  This hotel has only 6 rooms and is situated opposite the Markiezenhof. The €9.95 breakfast is not included.

• Hotel Tulip Inn

  phone: +31164820000
  address: Antwerpsestraat 56 4611 AK

• Library Het Markiezaat

  phone: +31 164 243450
  address: Kortemeestraat 17

• Lievensberg hospital

  phone: +31 164 278000
  address: Boerhaaveplein 1

• Police station

  phone: +31 900 8844
  address: Jacob Obrechtlaan

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

  phone: +31 900 0990
  address: Lievevrouwestraat 12

• Inside Jumbo Supermarket

  address: Burg Van Hasseltstraat 1
  Note that mail is picked up for processing at 18.00 latest, so anything posted afterwards will only be processed the next day.

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.