Hello everyone. Who’s with us? Today we are in another city of the Netherlands, ‘s-Hertogenbosch (also known under the name of Den Bosch, which literally means “the forest”). The city is the capital of the province of North Brabant. The city’s economy is flourishing, in fact, it is the headquarters of many national and international companies but also is the home of the European Ceramic Work Centre (it hosts artists and architects from all around the world). ‘s-Hertogenbosch is also known (those who follow the football know it ) for the football club FC Den Bosch. A city rich in traditions, history and beauty… well, we just have to go and visit it in detail.
To know more (where to eat, what to eat, where to have fun, acculturate …) continue to read.
We will begin with the culture.
PLACES TO VISIT (MUSEUMS/THEATERS..)
- Sint-Janskathedraal: is the cathedral, in gothic style, the most important of the Netherlands. The building preserves a precious monumental organ.
- Stedelijk Museum ‘s-Hertogenbosch (SM’s): the modern arts museum that hosts collections of ceramics and jewelry. The museum is also a member of the International Council of Museums and the Organization Dutch museum.
- Noordbrabants Museum: a museum that hosts the works by important artists, including Brueghel and Sluiters and some of Van Gogh’s paintings (that realized in the period when he lived in the Barbante area).
The most important theater of the city is the Theater aan de Parade and De Toonzaal is a music hall.
Don’t let these “few” sights mislead you because this is what you see on the outside but the city has a lot of beautiful hidden places that is worth finding!
ENTERTAINMENT (PUB/DISCO/PARKS…)
- As we said earlier, the city has many hidden places. One of them is hidden in the old part of the city and is the network of canals called Binnendieze. A very beautiful place, where over them you can see houses and a few restaurants. It will be possible to request tours and enjoy a wonderful time.
- The Markt square is the center of ‘s-Hertogenbosch and it is surrounded by shops and locals. Usually Wednesdays and Saturdays takes place a big market and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are dedicated to a biological market full of healthy food (maybe casually you could be there one of those days, or you can make it happen if you are interested haha ).
- The most important shopping area are: Kolperstraat and Verwersstraat, Fonteinstraat, Vughterstraat and Ridderstraat. They are streets full of shops, restaurants, bars and so on… Without doubts the shopping street par excellence is Hinthamerstraat (where you can admire also historical buildings).
- If you want, you can also make a tour at the Bolwoningen complex, a series of fifty spherical houses (yes, they are real homes… wow!) designed by Dries Kreijkamp.
- As in many parts of the Netherlands cities, ‘s-Hertogenbosch is the ideal place for bike lovers, in fact, various and vast are the paths you can explore (maybe also a ride inside the city).
- Breakout Room: escape game.
Curiosity: ‘s-Hertogenbosch is also the place of various festiaval such as: Jazz in Duketown, hip hop duketown, November Music (festival of contemporary music) but the most important is the Carnival (and the symbol is represented by a frog).
Not everyone knows but a few kilometers far from the town there is a Nazi concentration camp (apparently they don’t exist only in Germany or Austria). This is known under the name of “Kamp Vught”, just because it is located in Vught.
Now let’s see where there is the night life in the city.
The streets where you can have fun are: the Uilenburg area, Karrenstraat and Ridderstraat and also Kerkstraat and Torenstraat and maybe the most populated (on the right of Kerkstraat) Parade. Don’t forget about Market (the main square).
- Bij Dirk: local.
- Plein 79: cafè.
- Lalalaa: party bar.
- Carrousel: disco.
- Zomers & Zomers: local.
- SMÈRRIG: disco.
- Blondt: cafè/nigh club.
More times a week from March to December you can attend the free event “Bosch by night”. A fantastic light show projected on the facades of historic buildings which aims to the knowledge of the history of Hieronymus Bosch (important Dutch painter).
TYPICAL FOODS
Come on, let’s go to discover the typical dishes that are waiting for us and we don’t make them wait!
- Bitterballen: spherical croquettes filled with beef or veal or chicken. Who prefers the vegetarian version there is the version with the mushrooms.
- Boerenkool: variant of stamppot (visto a Maastricht). The difference is in the sausage that is smoked rather than grilled.
- Pea soup (but you can find all kinds in the city and in the Netherlands in general).
- Hemel-en-aarde: a dish made of mashed potatoes with bacon and sour apples.
- Bossche Bol: typical dessert of the place coated with chocolate and with a cream inside. It looks like the profiterole.
- Appelflap: triangular slices of puff pastry in which there are apples, currants and raisins.
WHERE TO EAT (RESTAURANTS/CAFE’..)
Where to eat?? Good question, but don’t worry we have the answer!
- FF Swanjee: European, Spanish, International cuisine.
- Banketbakkerij Jan de Groot: pastry store.
- Sense: French, European cuisine.
- Restaurant Rhodos: Mediterranean, Greek cusine.
- Restaurant Picasso: Italian, Dutch, Mediterranean, Spanish cuisine.
- Fabuleux: French, Mediterranean cuisine.
- Steaks & Pasta Sitio: steakhouse.
- Nom Nom: French, Dutch, European, Asian cuisine.
- De Graven van Leuven: Dutch, European cuisine.
- Buurt: Italian, French, International cuisine.
- Van Puffelen Lunch & Dinercafe: pub with contemporary cuisine.
Our adventure here in ‘s-Hertogenbosch is over. Stay tuned to find out which city will the next time.
Let us know your opinions about this place. If you liked it or not, if you have been or are you going to go? What did you like least and what more? We are curious to read your opinions.
A big kiss to everyone.
Some hotels for you. Here is the link :
http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?city=-2152943&aid=960457 – city center