Holiday apartment in Bergen op Zoom: Culture, Nature and Water

Bergen op Zoom is located on the Brabantse Wal, which lies on the border between Brabant and Zeeland. The compact city centre contains more than 600 monuments. The centre can be reached by bicycle, train or car; the railway station borders the centre and is within walking distance. Further information about the town can be found at Bergen op Zoom.

Culture and History

The Markiezenhof served as an aristocratic residential palace from 1485 to 1727. The former city palace was the residence of the lords and later the margraves of Bergen op Zoom. Today, the Markiezenhof houses a museum, a regional archive and a library.

The tower of the Sint-Gertrudiskerk has stood since the mid-14th century. A narrow staircase leads to its platform, 35 metres above the ground; above it is a carillon with 48 bells.

Fortresses and Trails

Fort de Roovere is part of the West Brabant Water Line. Designated hiking trails run along its earthworks and ditches. At the Mozesbrug bridge at Fort de Roovere, visitors can walk through the moat without getting their feet wet. The fort also offers a 2.5-kilometre hiking route and guided walks along the West Brabant Water Line.

At Fort de Roovere, a climb of 129 steps leads to a viewpoint 25 metres high.

Nature and Activities

In addition to a historic country house and landscaped gardens, the Lievensberg estate includes sand drifts, heathland gardens and pine forests. At the estate, visitors can hike, cycle, climb and pick fruit themselves; Natuurpodium also organises outdoor activities. The Barefoot Path is a 2.5-kilometre barefoot trail that runs through the Lievensberg estate.

Natuurpoort Lievensberg is a starting point for hiking as well as cycling and mountain biking tours across the Brabantse Wal. In the Bergse Heide, the prevailing southwesterly wind shapes the dunes, which are held together by mixed forest. Dry, higher-lying sandy hillocks and wetter open areas provide a habitat for a diverse range of plant and animal life.

Water and Wetlands

A hiking and cycling route of approximately 7 kilometres runs around the Binnenschelde. The Binnenschelde offers opportunities for swimming, canoeing and windsurfing, as well as a beach area, various facilities and small jetties.

The Kijk in de Pot park area offers views over the Binnenschelde, works of art, historic landforms connected to military history and various types of vegetation to promote biodiversity. The Markiezaatsmeer is a large wetland designated as a Natura 2000 site because of the bird species that breed there or stop there during migration. Two routes begin at a visitor centre on the edge of the Markiezaatsmeer: a yellow route around the Kraaijenberg and a white route to a birdwatching hut.

Events and Local Traditions

Taste the May is a four-day culinary festival held in May. JazzBoZ is an international jazz festival lasting four days and taking place at the end of May. Major events in Bergen op Zoom also include the Maria Ommegang, the Open Monument Days and Vastenavend, the local name for the city’s carnival.

The Krabbenfoor is a special fair in Bergen op Zoom held on the last weekend of July.

Other destinations: Woensdrecht, Aalburg, Veghel, Maasdonk, Heusden, Best, Drimmelen

To the overview of destinations: North Brabant.