The three once distinct medieval buildings – ‘Den Oliphant’, ‘het Schepenhuijs’, and ‘Den Leeuwenborch’ – on the north side of the Grote Markt are collectively known as the Old Town Hall of Bergen op Zoom.

The building houses the history of the administration of justice, trade, and politics as they were once conducted and practiced in the city. A tour of this fascinating monument takes you on a journey through medieval history, but also reveals traces of the Second World War and the origins of the post-war ‘Vastenavend’, as the carnival celebration is affectionately called by the people of Bergen op Zoom. What does the motto on the facade refer to? What is that tile doing in the paving in front of the platform? Who is the man standing sculpted next to the building? Step inside and let a guide take you back to times gone by. The Old Town Hall is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Contact City Guides Bergen op Zoom Sint Annastraat 2 4611 TN Bergen op Zoom 0164 234 377 [email protected]

a church with an eventful history. Upon entering through the new entrance on the Grote Markt, the impressive interior stands out. The artworks, monumental organs, and 17th-century confessionals with beautiful Mechelen woodcarvings make a visit to this church more than worthwhile. And do you like a challenge? Then climb the Peperbus, the church tower. After a climb of 183 steps, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view over the city. During the climb, you can take a moment to rest and visit the Gradatus tower room.

For safety reasons, children under the age of 5 (or shorter than 1 meter) are not allowed to climb the Peperbus.

When
Every Saturday and Sunday 13:00 - 16:30
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from April 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026 10:00 - 16:30

Every Sunday from April 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Monday, April 27, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Monday, May 25, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Please note: opening hours may vary during public holidays
Climb the Peperbus closes at 15:45. Please note! St. Gertrudis Church cannot be visited on the following days: April 4, May 6 (from 1:00 PM), May 9 (until 1:00 PM), May 14 (until 1:00 PM), May 30 (from 1:00 PM), June 6, June 28, and July 11 (from 1:00 PM).

The Middle Ages is the era of fortification. As soon as cities emerge, inhabitants feel the need to defend themselves against anyone intent on targeting their prosperity. As weapons improve, high, thick walls and heavy gates no longer suffice. Cities hide behind heavy ramparts featuring bastions, ravelins, and lunettes. In France, the fortification engineer Vauban elevates the art of designing impregnable fortresses to great heights.

Menno van Coehoorn adapts Vauban’s ideas to the Dutch situation. Here, it is not necessarily a broad rampart that must repel the enemy; water can help! He incorporates inundations into the defense of city and country. The Bergen op Zoom sections of the Southern Water Line show the final stage of fortification construction in the Netherlands, with everything represented therein: bastions, ravelins, lunettes, glacis, and inundations, but also listening tunnels, kilometers-long galleries, and ‘flutter mines’. Much of the fortification has been demolished; Not visible, but often still present below ground level. We are talking about the ‘Hidden Fortress’. In Bergen op Zoom, a part has been uncovered and is open to visitors. In a cellar, you will find the remains of a section of the fortress, including the remnants of a massive stair tower, the ‘Galerie Majeure’, and fluttering mines. Then there is the unique situation where a scale model was made in 1750, depicting the entire city with every house and the complete fortress in detail. All together, it measures about 15 by 6 meters. In the Menno van Coehoorn tour, you get a complete picture of Menno van Coehoorn’s fortress, starting with the scale model of Bergen op Zoom in 1750. There, we have a full overview and see the strategic ingenuity of Menno van Coehoorn. Then we proceed through the city to a still-existing ravelin, descend into the casemates, and imagine ourselves as soldiers peering at the enemy through the loopholes. Finally, we see the excavated remains in the Cellar and are surprised on giant screens by the story of the French siege in 1747, which put an end to the illustrious fortress. Prices and reservations Would you like to join the Menno van Coehoorn tour? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. Price € 14 per person. Minimum group size 6 people, maximum group size 12 people. Reservations for groups smaller than 6 people are possible. The price is then € 84 per walk.

This palace was built at the end of the 15th century, the golden age in the history of Bergen op Zoom, under the direction of the famous Mechelen master builders Antoon and Rombout Keldermans. Noblesse oblige: the Court of the Lords and later the Marquises of Bergen op Zoom had to be dignified enough to receive high-ranking guests from all over Europe. And the guests were certainly not insignificant: Charles V and Philip II, among others, entered the Court through the canopy.

Of the 50 noble townhouses in the Southern Netherlands, only a few remain, and this is the only city palace that is still entirely complete, including its outbuildings. A true marvel! The guides from Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom not only tell visitors the story of this magnificent building but also take them back to the noble life of the Lords and Marquises (and yes, even the occasional Marchioness) of Bergen op Zoom, as well as the period when the building served a military purpose. With your purchased ticket, the museum section of the Markiezenhof can also be visited before or after this guided tour. Opening hours:

The Markiezenhof is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Would you like to learn more about the history and residents of this unique city palace? Our guides provide a tour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:00 PM. You must reserve at least 2 hours in advance for the tour. It is possible to book a tour outside of the times mentioned. Would you like to book a guided tour at the Markiezenhof? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. The admission price for the Markiezenhof, including the guided tour, is €12.50. Visitors holding a Museum Card pay €4.50. The photo shown is the property of the Markiezenhof.

The three once distinct medieval buildings – ‘Den Oliphant’, ‘het Schepenhuijs’, and ‘Den Leeuwenborch’ – on the north side of the Grote Markt are collectively known as the Old Town Hall of Bergen op Zoom.

The building houses the history of the administration of justice, trade, and politics as they were once conducted and practiced in the city. A tour of this fascinating monument takes you on a journey through medieval history, but also reveals traces of the Second World War and the origins of the post-war ‘Vastenavend’, as the carnival celebration is affectionately called by the people of Bergen op Zoom. What does the motto on the facade refer to? What is that tile doing in the paving in front of the platform? Who is the man standing sculpted next to the building? Step inside and let a guide take you back to times gone by. The Old Town Hall is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Contact City Guides Bergen op Zoom Sint Annastraat 2 4611 TN Bergen op Zoom 0164 234 377 [email protected]

a church with an eventful history. Upon entering through the new entrance on the Grote Markt, the impressive interior stands out. The artworks, monumental organs, and 17th-century confessionals with beautiful Mechelen woodcarvings make a visit to this church more than worthwhile. And do you like a challenge? Then climb the Peperbus, the church tower. After a climb of 183 steps, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view over the city. During the climb, you can take a moment to rest and visit the Gradatus tower room.

For safety reasons, children under the age of 5 (or shorter than 1 meter) are not allowed to climb the Peperbus.

When
Every Saturday and Sunday 13:00 - 16:30
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from April 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026 10:00 - 16:30

Every Sunday from April 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Monday, April 27, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Monday, May 25, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Please note: opening hours may vary during public holidays
Climb the Peperbus closes at 15:45. Please note! St. Gertrudis Church cannot be visited on the following days: April 4, May 6 (from 1:00 PM), May 9 (until 1:00 PM), May 14 (until 1:00 PM), May 30 (from 1:00 PM), June 6, June 28, and July 11 (from 1:00 PM).

The Middle Ages is the era of fortification. As soon as cities emerge, inhabitants feel the need to defend themselves against anyone intent on targeting their prosperity. As weapons improve, high, thick walls and heavy gates no longer suffice. Cities hide behind heavy ramparts featuring bastions, ravelins, and lunettes. In France, the fortification engineer Vauban elevates the art of designing impregnable fortresses to great heights.

Menno van Coehoorn adapts Vauban’s ideas to the Dutch situation. Here, it is not necessarily a broad rampart that must repel the enemy; water can help! He incorporates inundations into the defense of city and country. The Bergen op Zoom sections of the Southern Water Line show the final stage of fortification construction in the Netherlands, with everything represented therein: bastions, ravelins, lunettes, glacis, and inundations, but also listening tunnels, kilometers-long galleries, and ‘flutter mines’. Much of the fortification has been demolished; Not visible, but often still present below ground level. We are talking about the ‘Hidden Fortress’. In Bergen op Zoom, a part has been uncovered and is open to visitors. In a cellar, you will find the remains of a section of the fortress, including the remnants of a massive stair tower, the ‘Galerie Majeure’, and fluttering mines. Then there is the unique situation where a scale model was made in 1750, depicting the entire city with every house and the complete fortress in detail. All together, it measures about 15 by 6 meters. In the Menno van Coehoorn tour, you get a complete picture of Menno van Coehoorn’s fortress, starting with the scale model of Bergen op Zoom in 1750. There, we have a full overview and see the strategic ingenuity of Menno van Coehoorn. Then we proceed through the city to a still-existing ravelin, descend into the casemates, and imagine ourselves as soldiers peering at the enemy through the loopholes. Finally, we see the excavated remains in the Cellar and are surprised on giant screens by the story of the French siege in 1747, which put an end to the illustrious fortress. Prices and reservations Would you like to join the Menno van Coehoorn tour? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. Price € 14 per person. Minimum group size 6 people, maximum group size 12 people. Reservations for groups smaller than 6 people are possible. The price is then € 84 per walk.

This palace was built at the end of the 15th century, the golden age in the history of Bergen op Zoom, under the direction of the famous Mechelen master builders Antoon and Rombout Keldermans. Noblesse oblige: the Court of the Lords and later the Marquises of Bergen op Zoom had to be dignified enough to receive high-ranking guests from all over Europe. And the guests were certainly not insignificant: Charles V and Philip II, among others, entered the Court through the canopy.

Of the 50 noble townhouses in the Southern Netherlands, only a few remain, and this is the only city palace that is still entirely complete, including its outbuildings. A true marvel! The guides from Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom not only tell visitors the story of this magnificent building but also take them back to the noble life of the Lords and Marquises (and yes, even the occasional Marchioness) of Bergen op Zoom, as well as the period when the building served a military purpose. With your purchased ticket, the museum section of the Markiezenhof can also be visited before or after this guided tour. Opening hours:

The Markiezenhof is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Would you like to learn more about the history and residents of this unique city palace? Our guides provide a tour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:00 PM. You must reserve at least 2 hours in advance for the tour. It is possible to book a tour outside of the times mentioned. Would you like to book a guided tour at the Markiezenhof? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. The admission price for the Markiezenhof, including the guided tour, is €12.50. Visitors holding a Museum Card pay €4.50. The photo shown is the property of the Markiezenhof.

The three once distinct medieval buildings – ‘Den Oliphant’, ‘het Schepenhuijs’, and ‘Den Leeuwenborch’ – on the north side of the Grote Markt are collectively known as the Old Town Hall of Bergen op Zoom.

The building houses the history of the administration of justice, trade, and politics as they were once conducted and practiced in the city. A tour of this fascinating monument takes you on a journey through medieval history, but also reveals traces of the Second World War and the origins of the post-war ‘Vastenavend’, as the carnival celebration is affectionately called by the people of Bergen op Zoom. What does the motto on the facade refer to? What is that tile doing in the paving in front of the platform? Who is the man standing sculpted next to the building? Step inside and let a guide take you back to times gone by. The Old Town Hall is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Contact City Guides Bergen op Zoom Sint Annastraat 2 4611 TN Bergen op Zoom 0164 234 377 [email protected]

a church with an eventful history. Upon entering through the new entrance on the Grote Markt, the impressive interior stands out. The artworks, monumental organs, and 17th-century confessionals with beautiful Mechelen woodcarvings make a visit to this church more than worthwhile. And do you like a challenge? Then climb the Peperbus, the church tower. After a climb of 183 steps, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view over the city. During the climb, you can take a moment to rest and visit the Gradatus tower room.

For safety reasons, children under the age of 5 (or shorter than 1 meter) are not allowed to climb the Peperbus.

When
Every Saturday and Sunday 13:00 - 16:30
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from April 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026 10:00 - 16:30

Every Sunday from April 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Monday, April 27, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Monday, May 25, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Please note: opening hours may vary during public holidays
Climb the Peperbus closes at 15:45. Please note! St. Gertrudis Church cannot be visited on the following days: April 4, May 6 (from 1:00 PM), May 9 (until 1:00 PM), May 14 (until 1:00 PM), May 30 (from 1:00 PM), June 6, June 28, and July 11 (from 1:00 PM).

The Middle Ages is the era of fortification. As soon as cities emerge, inhabitants feel the need to defend themselves against anyone intent on targeting their prosperity. As weapons improve, high, thick walls and heavy gates no longer suffice. Cities hide behind heavy ramparts featuring bastions, ravelins, and lunettes. In France, the fortification engineer Vauban elevates the art of designing impregnable fortresses to great heights.

Menno van Coehoorn adapts Vauban’s ideas to the Dutch situation. Here, it is not necessarily a broad rampart that must repel the enemy; water can help! He incorporates inundations into the defense of city and country. The Bergen op Zoom sections of the Southern Water Line show the final stage of fortification construction in the Netherlands, with everything represented therein: bastions, ravelins, lunettes, glacis, and inundations, but also listening tunnels, kilometers-long galleries, and ‘flutter mines’. Much of the fortification has been demolished; Not visible, but often still present below ground level. We are talking about the ‘Hidden Fortress’. In Bergen op Zoom, a part has been uncovered and is open to visitors. In a cellar, you will find the remains of a section of the fortress, including the remnants of a massive stair tower, the ‘Galerie Majeure’, and fluttering mines. Then there is the unique situation where a scale model was made in 1750, depicting the entire city with every house and the complete fortress in detail. All together, it measures about 15 by 6 meters. In the Menno van Coehoorn tour, you get a complete picture of Menno van Coehoorn’s fortress, starting with the scale model of Bergen op Zoom in 1750. There, we have a full overview and see the strategic ingenuity of Menno van Coehoorn. Then we proceed through the city to a still-existing ravelin, descend into the casemates, and imagine ourselves as soldiers peering at the enemy through the loopholes. Finally, we see the excavated remains in the Cellar and are surprised on giant screens by the story of the French siege in 1747, which put an end to the illustrious fortress. Prices and reservations Would you like to join the Menno van Coehoorn tour? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. Price € 14 per person. Minimum group size 6 people, maximum group size 12 people. Reservations for groups smaller than 6 people are possible. The price is then € 84 per walk.

This palace was built at the end of the 15th century, the golden age in the history of Bergen op Zoom, under the direction of the famous Mechelen master builders Antoon and Rombout Keldermans. Noblesse oblige: the Court of the Lords and later the Marquises of Bergen op Zoom had to be dignified enough to receive high-ranking guests from all over Europe. And the guests were certainly not insignificant: Charles V and Philip II, among others, entered the Court through the canopy.

Of the 50 noble townhouses in the Southern Netherlands, only a few remain, and this is the only city palace that is still entirely complete, including its outbuildings. A true marvel! The guides from Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom not only tell visitors the story of this magnificent building but also take them back to the noble life of the Lords and Marquises (and yes, even the occasional Marchioness) of Bergen op Zoom, as well as the period when the building served a military purpose. With your purchased ticket, the museum section of the Markiezenhof can also be visited before or after this guided tour. Opening hours:

The Markiezenhof is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Would you like to learn more about the history and residents of this unique city palace? Our guides provide a tour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:00 PM. You must reserve at least 2 hours in advance for the tour. It is possible to book a tour outside of the times mentioned. Would you like to book a guided tour at the Markiezenhof? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. The admission price for the Markiezenhof, including the guided tour, is €12.50. Visitors holding a Museum Card pay €4.50. The photo shown is the property of the Markiezenhof.

The three once distinct medieval buildings – ‘Den Oliphant’, ‘het Schepenhuijs’, and ‘Den Leeuwenborch’ – on the north side of the Grote Markt are collectively known as the Old Town Hall of Bergen op Zoom.

The building houses the history of the administration of justice, trade, and politics as they were once conducted and practiced in the city. A tour of this fascinating monument takes you on a journey through medieval history, but also reveals traces of the Second World War and the origins of the post-war ‘Vastenavend’, as the carnival celebration is affectionately called by the people of Bergen op Zoom. What does the motto on the facade refer to? What is that tile doing in the paving in front of the platform? Who is the man standing sculpted next to the building? Step inside and let a guide take you back to times gone by. The Old Town Hall is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Contact City Guides Bergen op Zoom Sint Annastraat 2 4611 TN Bergen op Zoom 0164 234 377 [email protected]

a church with an eventful history. Upon entering through the new entrance on the Grote Markt, the impressive interior stands out. The artworks, monumental organs, and 17th-century confessionals with beautiful Mechelen woodcarvings make a visit to this church more than worthwhile. And do you like a challenge? Then climb the Peperbus, the church tower. After a climb of 183 steps, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view over the city. During the climb, you can take a moment to rest and visit the Gradatus tower room.

For safety reasons, children under the age of 5 (or shorter than 1 meter) are not allowed to climb the Peperbus.

When
Every Saturday and Sunday 13:00 - 16:30
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from April 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026 10:00 - 16:30

Every Sunday from April 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Monday, April 27, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Monday, May 25, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Please note: opening hours may vary during public holidays
Climb the Peperbus closes at 15:45. Please note! St. Gertrudis Church cannot be visited on the following days: April 4, May 6 (from 1:00 PM), May 9 (until 1:00 PM), May 14 (until 1:00 PM), May 30 (from 1:00 PM), June 6, June 28, and July 11 (from 1:00 PM).

The Middle Ages is the era of fortification. As soon as cities emerge, inhabitants feel the need to defend themselves against anyone intent on targeting their prosperity. As weapons improve, high, thick walls and heavy gates no longer suffice. Cities hide behind heavy ramparts featuring bastions, ravelins, and lunettes. In France, the fortification engineer Vauban elevates the art of designing impregnable fortresses to great heights.

Menno van Coehoorn adapts Vauban’s ideas to the Dutch situation. Here, it is not necessarily a broad rampart that must repel the enemy; water can help! He incorporates inundations into the defense of city and country. The Bergen op Zoom sections of the Southern Water Line show the final stage of fortification construction in the Netherlands, with everything represented therein: bastions, ravelins, lunettes, glacis, and inundations, but also listening tunnels, kilometers-long galleries, and ‘flutter mines’. Much of the fortification has been demolished; Not visible, but often still present below ground level. We are talking about the ‘Hidden Fortress’. In Bergen op Zoom, a part has been uncovered and is open to visitors. In a cellar, you will find the remains of a section of the fortress, including the remnants of a massive stair tower, the ‘Galerie Majeure’, and fluttering mines. Then there is the unique situation where a scale model was made in 1750, depicting the entire city with every house and the complete fortress in detail. All together, it measures about 15 by 6 meters. In the Menno van Coehoorn tour, you get a complete picture of Menno van Coehoorn’s fortress, starting with the scale model of Bergen op Zoom in 1750. There, we have a full overview and see the strategic ingenuity of Menno van Coehoorn. Then we proceed through the city to a still-existing ravelin, descend into the casemates, and imagine ourselves as soldiers peering at the enemy through the loopholes. Finally, we see the excavated remains in the Cellar and are surprised on giant screens by the story of the French siege in 1747, which put an end to the illustrious fortress. Prices and reservations Would you like to join the Menno van Coehoorn tour? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. Price € 14 per person. Minimum group size 6 people, maximum group size 12 people. Reservations for groups smaller than 6 people are possible. The price is then € 84 per walk.

This palace was built at the end of the 15th century, the golden age in the history of Bergen op Zoom, under the direction of the famous Mechelen master builders Antoon and Rombout Keldermans. Noblesse oblige: the Court of the Lords and later the Marquises of Bergen op Zoom had to be dignified enough to receive high-ranking guests from all over Europe. And the guests were certainly not insignificant: Charles V and Philip II, among others, entered the Court through the canopy.

Of the 50 noble townhouses in the Southern Netherlands, only a few remain, and this is the only city palace that is still entirely complete, including its outbuildings. A true marvel! The guides from Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom not only tell visitors the story of this magnificent building but also take them back to the noble life of the Lords and Marquises (and yes, even the occasional Marchioness) of Bergen op Zoom, as well as the period when the building served a military purpose. With your purchased ticket, the museum section of the Markiezenhof can also be visited before or after this guided tour. Opening hours:

The Markiezenhof is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Would you like to learn more about the history and residents of this unique city palace? Our guides provide a tour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:00 PM. You must reserve at least 2 hours in advance for the tour. It is possible to book a tour outside of the times mentioned. Would you like to book a guided tour at the Markiezenhof? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. The admission price for the Markiezenhof, including the guided tour, is €12.50. Visitors holding a Museum Card pay €4.50. The photo shown is the property of the Markiezenhof.

The three once distinct medieval buildings – ‘Den Oliphant’, ‘het Schepenhuijs’, and ‘Den Leeuwenborch’ – on the north side of the Grote Markt are collectively known as the Old Town Hall of Bergen op Zoom.

The building houses the history of the administration of justice, trade, and politics as they were once conducted and practiced in the city. A tour of this fascinating monument takes you on a journey through medieval history, but also reveals traces of the Second World War and the origins of the post-war ‘Vastenavend’, as the carnival celebration is affectionately called by the people of Bergen op Zoom. What does the motto on the facade refer to? What is that tile doing in the paving in front of the platform? Who is the man standing sculpted next to the building? Step inside and let a guide take you back to times gone by. The Old Town Hall is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Contact City Guides Bergen op Zoom Sint Annastraat 2 4611 TN Bergen op Zoom 0164 234 377 [email protected]

a church with an eventful history. Upon entering through the new entrance on the Grote Markt, the impressive interior stands out. The artworks, monumental organs, and 17th-century confessionals with beautiful Mechelen woodcarvings make a visit to this church more than worthwhile. And do you like a challenge? Then climb the Peperbus, the church tower. After a climb of 183 steps, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view over the city. During the climb, you can take a moment to rest and visit the Gradatus tower room.

For safety reasons, children under the age of 5 (or shorter than 1 meter) are not allowed to climb the Peperbus.

When
Every Saturday and Sunday 13:00 - 16:30
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from April 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026 10:00 - 16:30

Every Sunday from April 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Monday, April 27, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Monday, May 25, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Please note: opening hours may vary during public holidays
Climb the Peperbus closes at 15:45. Please note! St. Gertrudis Church cannot be visited on the following days: April 4, May 6 (from 1:00 PM), May 9 (until 1:00 PM), May 14 (until 1:00 PM), May 30 (from 1:00 PM), June 6, June 28, and July 11 (from 1:00 PM).

The Middle Ages is the era of fortification. As soon as cities emerge, inhabitants feel the need to defend themselves against anyone intent on targeting their prosperity. As weapons improve, high, thick walls and heavy gates no longer suffice. Cities hide behind heavy ramparts featuring bastions, ravelins, and lunettes. In France, the fortification engineer Vauban elevates the art of designing impregnable fortresses to great heights.

Menno van Coehoorn adapts Vauban’s ideas to the Dutch situation. Here, it is not necessarily a broad rampart that must repel the enemy; water can help! He incorporates inundations into the defense of city and country. The Bergen op Zoom sections of the Southern Water Line show the final stage of fortification construction in the Netherlands, with everything represented therein: bastions, ravelins, lunettes, glacis, and inundations, but also listening tunnels, kilometers-long galleries, and ‘flutter mines’. Much of the fortification has been demolished; Not visible, but often still present below ground level. We are talking about the ‘Hidden Fortress’. In Bergen op Zoom, a part has been uncovered and is open to visitors. In a cellar, you will find the remains of a section of the fortress, including the remnants of a massive stair tower, the ‘Galerie Majeure’, and fluttering mines. Then there is the unique situation where a scale model was made in 1750, depicting the entire city with every house and the complete fortress in detail. All together, it measures about 15 by 6 meters. In the Menno van Coehoorn tour, you get a complete picture of Menno van Coehoorn’s fortress, starting with the scale model of Bergen op Zoom in 1750. There, we have a full overview and see the strategic ingenuity of Menno van Coehoorn. Then we proceed through the city to a still-existing ravelin, descend into the casemates, and imagine ourselves as soldiers peering at the enemy through the loopholes. Finally, we see the excavated remains in the Cellar and are surprised on giant screens by the story of the French siege in 1747, which put an end to the illustrious fortress. Prices and reservations Would you like to join the Menno van Coehoorn tour? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. Price € 14 per person. Minimum group size 6 people, maximum group size 12 people. Reservations for groups smaller than 6 people are possible. The price is then € 84 per walk.

This palace was built at the end of the 15th century, the golden age in the history of Bergen op Zoom, under the direction of the famous Mechelen master builders Antoon and Rombout Keldermans. Noblesse oblige: the Court of the Lords and later the Marquises of Bergen op Zoom had to be dignified enough to receive high-ranking guests from all over Europe. And the guests were certainly not insignificant: Charles V and Philip II, among others, entered the Court through the canopy.

Of the 50 noble townhouses in the Southern Netherlands, only a few remain, and this is the only city palace that is still entirely complete, including its outbuildings. A true marvel! The guides from Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom not only tell visitors the story of this magnificent building but also take them back to the noble life of the Lords and Marquises (and yes, even the occasional Marchioness) of Bergen op Zoom, as well as the period when the building served a military purpose. With your purchased ticket, the museum section of the Markiezenhof can also be visited before or after this guided tour. Opening hours:

The Markiezenhof is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Would you like to learn more about the history and residents of this unique city palace? Our guides provide a tour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:00 PM. You must reserve at least 2 hours in advance for the tour. It is possible to book a tour outside of the times mentioned. Would you like to book a guided tour at the Markiezenhof? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. The admission price for the Markiezenhof, including the guided tour, is €12.50. Visitors holding a Museum Card pay €4.50. The photo shown is the property of the Markiezenhof.

The three once distinct medieval buildings – ‘Den Oliphant’, ‘het Schepenhuijs’, and ‘Den Leeuwenborch’ – on the north side of the Grote Markt are collectively known as the Old Town Hall of Bergen op Zoom.

The building houses the history of the administration of justice, trade, and politics as they were once conducted and practiced in the city. A tour of this fascinating monument takes you on a journey through medieval history, but also reveals traces of the Second World War and the origins of the post-war ‘Vastenavend’, as the carnival celebration is affectionately called by the people of Bergen op Zoom. What does the motto on the facade refer to? What is that tile doing in the paving in front of the platform? Who is the man standing sculpted next to the building? Step inside and let a guide take you back to times gone by. The Old Town Hall is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Contact City Guides Bergen op Zoom Sint Annastraat 2 4611 TN Bergen op Zoom 0164 234 377 [email protected]

a church with an eventful history. Upon entering through the new entrance on the Grote Markt, the impressive interior stands out. The artworks, monumental organs, and 17th-century confessionals with beautiful Mechelen woodcarvings make a visit to this church more than worthwhile. And do you like a challenge? Then climb the Peperbus, the church tower. After a climb of 183 steps, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view over the city. During the climb, you can take a moment to rest and visit the Gradatus tower room.

For safety reasons, children under the age of 5 (or shorter than 1 meter) are not allowed to climb the Peperbus.

When
Every Saturday and Sunday 13:00 - 16:30
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from April 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026 10:00 - 16:30

Every Sunday from April 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Monday, April 27, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Monday, May 25, 2026 13:00 - 16:30
Please note: opening hours may vary during public holidays
Climb the Peperbus closes at 15:45. Please note! St. Gertrudis Church cannot be visited on the following days: April 4, May 6 (from 1:00 PM), May 9 (until 1:00 PM), May 14 (until 1:00 PM), May 30 (from 1:00 PM), June 6, June 28, and July 11 (from 1:00 PM).

The Middle Ages is the era of fortification. As soon as cities emerge, inhabitants feel the need to defend themselves against anyone intent on targeting their prosperity. As weapons improve, high, thick walls and heavy gates no longer suffice. Cities hide behind heavy ramparts featuring bastions, ravelins, and lunettes. In France, the fortification engineer Vauban elevates the art of designing impregnable fortresses to great heights.

Menno van Coehoorn adapts Vauban’s ideas to the Dutch situation. Here, it is not necessarily a broad rampart that must repel the enemy; water can help! He incorporates inundations into the defense of city and country. The Bergen op Zoom sections of the Southern Water Line show the final stage of fortification construction in the Netherlands, with everything represented therein: bastions, ravelins, lunettes, glacis, and inundations, but also listening tunnels, kilometers-long galleries, and ‘flutter mines’. Much of the fortification has been demolished; Not visible, but often still present below ground level. We are talking about the ‘Hidden Fortress’. In Bergen op Zoom, a part has been uncovered and is open to visitors. In a cellar, you will find the remains of a section of the fortress, including the remnants of a massive stair tower, the ‘Galerie Majeure’, and fluttering mines. Then there is the unique situation where a scale model was made in 1750, depicting the entire city with every house and the complete fortress in detail. All together, it measures about 15 by 6 meters. In the Menno van Coehoorn tour, you get a complete picture of Menno van Coehoorn’s fortress, starting with the scale model of Bergen op Zoom in 1750. There, we have a full overview and see the strategic ingenuity of Menno van Coehoorn. Then we proceed through the city to a still-existing ravelin, descend into the casemates, and imagine ourselves as soldiers peering at the enemy through the loopholes. Finally, we see the excavated remains in the Cellar and are surprised on giant screens by the story of the French siege in 1747, which put an end to the illustrious fortress. Prices and reservations Would you like to join the Menno van Coehoorn tour? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. Price € 14 per person. Minimum group size 6 people, maximum group size 12 people. Reservations for groups smaller than 6 people are possible. The price is then € 84 per walk.

This palace was built at the end of the 15th century, the golden age in the history of Bergen op Zoom, under the direction of the famous Mechelen master builders Antoon and Rombout Keldermans. Noblesse oblige: the Court of the Lords and later the Marquises of Bergen op Zoom had to be dignified enough to receive high-ranking guests from all over Europe. And the guests were certainly not insignificant: Charles V and Philip II, among others, entered the Court through the canopy.

Of the 50 noble townhouses in the Southern Netherlands, only a few remain, and this is the only city palace that is still entirely complete, including its outbuildings. A true marvel! The guides from Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom not only tell visitors the story of this magnificent building but also take them back to the noble life of the Lords and Marquises (and yes, even the occasional Marchioness) of Bergen op Zoom, as well as the period when the building served a military purpose. With your purchased ticket, the museum section of the Markiezenhof can also be visited before or after this guided tour. Opening hours:

The Markiezenhof is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Would you like to learn more about the history and residents of this unique city palace? Our guides provide a tour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:00 PM. You must reserve at least 2 hours in advance for the tour. It is possible to book a tour outside of the times mentioned. Would you like to book a guided tour at the Markiezenhof? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. The admission price for the Markiezenhof, including the guided tour, is €12.50. Visitors holding a Museum Card pay €4.50. The photo shown is the property of the Markiezenhof.

The Middle Ages is the era of fortification. As soon as cities emerge, inhabitants feel the need to defend themselves against anyone intent on targeting their prosperity. As weapons improve, high, thick walls and heavy gates no longer suffice. Cities hide behind heavy ramparts featuring bastions, ravelins, and lunettes. In France, the fortification engineer Vauban elevates the art of designing impregnable fortresses to great heights.

Menno van Coehoorn adapts Vauban’s ideas to the Dutch situation. Here, it is not necessarily a broad rampart that must repel the enemy; water can help! He incorporates inundations into the defense of city and country. The Bergen op Zoom sections of the Southern Water Line show the final stage of fortification construction in the Netherlands, with everything represented therein: bastions, ravelins, lunettes, glacis, and inundations, but also listening tunnels, kilometers-long galleries, and ‘flutter mines’. Much of the fortification has been demolished; Not visible, but often still present below ground level. We are talking about the ‘Hidden Fortress’. In Bergen op Zoom, a part has been uncovered and is open to visitors. In a cellar, you will find the remains of a section of the fortress, including the remnants of a massive stair tower, the ‘Galerie Majeure’, and fluttering mines. Then there is the unique situation where a scale model was made in 1750, depicting the entire city with every house and the complete fortress in detail. All together, it measures about 15 by 6 meters. In the Menno van Coehoorn tour, you get a complete picture of Menno van Coehoorn’s fortress, starting with the scale model of Bergen op Zoom in 1750. There, we have a full overview and see the strategic ingenuity of Menno van Coehoorn. Then we proceed through the city to a still-existing ravelin, descend into the casemates, and imagine ourselves as soldiers peering at the enemy through the loopholes. Finally, we see the excavated remains in the Cellar and are surprised on giant screens by the story of the French siege in 1747, which put an end to the illustrious fortress. Prices and reservations Would you like to join the Menno van Coehoorn tour? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. Price € 14 per person. Minimum group size 6 people, maximum group size 12 people. Reservations for groups smaller than 6 people are possible. The price is then € 84 per walk.

This palace was built at the end of the 15th century, the golden age in the history of Bergen op Zoom, under the direction of the famous Mechelen master builders Antoon and Rombout Keldermans. Noblesse oblige: the Court of the Lords and later the Marquises of Bergen op Zoom had to be dignified enough to receive high-ranking guests from all over Europe. And the guests were certainly not insignificant: Charles V and Philip II, among others, entered the Court through the canopy.

Of the 50 noble townhouses in the Southern Netherlands, only a few remain, and this is the only city palace that is still entirely complete, including its outbuildings. A true marvel! The guides from Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom not only tell visitors the story of this magnificent building but also take them back to the noble life of the Lords and Marquises (and yes, even the occasional Marchioness) of Bergen op Zoom, as well as the period when the building served a military purpose. With your purchased ticket, the museum section of the Markiezenhof can also be visited before or after this guided tour. Opening hours:

The Markiezenhof is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Would you like to learn more about the history and residents of this unique city palace? Our guides provide a tour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:00 PM. You must reserve at least 2 hours in advance for the tour. It is possible to book a tour outside of the times mentioned. Would you like to book a guided tour at the Markiezenhof? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. The admission price for the Markiezenhof, including the guided tour, is €12.50. Visitors holding a Museum Card pay €4.50. The photo shown is the property of the Markiezenhof.

The Middle Ages is the era of fortification. As soon as cities emerge, inhabitants feel the need to defend themselves against anyone intent on targeting their prosperity. As weapons improve, high, thick walls and heavy gates no longer suffice. Cities hide behind heavy ramparts featuring bastions, ravelins, and lunettes. In France, the fortification engineer Vauban elevates the art of designing impregnable fortresses to great heights.

Menno van Coehoorn adapts Vauban’s ideas to the Dutch situation. Here, it is not necessarily a broad rampart that must repel the enemy; water can help! He incorporates inundations into the defense of city and country. The Bergen op Zoom sections of the Southern Water Line show the final stage of fortification construction in the Netherlands, with everything represented therein: bastions, ravelins, lunettes, glacis, and inundations, but also listening tunnels, kilometers-long galleries, and ‘flutter mines’. Much of the fortification has been demolished; Not visible, but often still present below ground level. We are talking about the ‘Hidden Fortress’. In Bergen op Zoom, a part has been uncovered and is open to visitors. In a cellar, you will find the remains of a section of the fortress, including the remnants of a massive stair tower, the ‘Galerie Majeure’, and fluttering mines. Then there is the unique situation where a scale model was made in 1750, depicting the entire city with every house and the complete fortress in detail. All together, it measures about 15 by 6 meters. In the Menno van Coehoorn tour, you get a complete picture of Menno van Coehoorn’s fortress, starting with the scale model of Bergen op Zoom in 1750. There, we have a full overview and see the strategic ingenuity of Menno van Coehoorn. Then we proceed through the city to a still-existing ravelin, descend into the casemates, and imagine ourselves as soldiers peering at the enemy through the loopholes. Finally, we see the excavated remains in the Cellar and are surprised on giant screens by the story of the French siege in 1747, which put an end to the illustrious fortress. Prices and reservations Would you like to join the Menno van Coehoorn tour? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. Price € 14 per person. Minimum group size 6 people, maximum group size 12 people. Reservations for groups smaller than 6 people are possible. The price is then € 84 per walk.

This palace was built at the end of the 15th century, the golden age in the history of Bergen op Zoom, under the direction of the famous Mechelen master builders Antoon and Rombout Keldermans. Noblesse oblige: the Court of the Lords and later the Marquises of Bergen op Zoom had to be dignified enough to receive high-ranking guests from all over Europe. And the guests were certainly not insignificant: Charles V and Philip II, among others, entered the Court through the canopy.

Of the 50 noble townhouses in the Southern Netherlands, only a few remain, and this is the only city palace that is still entirely complete, including its outbuildings. A true marvel! The guides from Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom not only tell visitors the story of this magnificent building but also take them back to the noble life of the Lords and Marquises (and yes, even the occasional Marchioness) of Bergen op Zoom, as well as the period when the building served a military purpose. With your purchased ticket, the museum section of the Markiezenhof can also be visited before or after this guided tour. Opening hours:

The Markiezenhof is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Would you like to learn more about the history and residents of this unique city palace? Our guides provide a tour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:00 PM. You must reserve at least 2 hours in advance for the tour. It is possible to book a tour outside of the times mentioned. Would you like to book a guided tour at the Markiezenhof? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. The admission price for the Markiezenhof, including the guided tour, is €12.50. Visitors holding a Museum Card pay €4.50. The photo shown is the property of the Markiezenhof.

The Middle Ages is the era of fortification. As soon as cities emerge, inhabitants feel the need to defend themselves against anyone intent on targeting their prosperity. As weapons improve, high, thick walls and heavy gates no longer suffice. Cities hide behind heavy ramparts featuring bastions, ravelins, and lunettes. In France, the fortification engineer Vauban elevates the art of designing impregnable fortresses to great heights.

Menno van Coehoorn adapts Vauban’s ideas to the Dutch situation. Here, it is not necessarily a broad rampart that must repel the enemy; water can help! He incorporates inundations into the defense of city and country. The Bergen op Zoom sections of the Southern Water Line show the final stage of fortification construction in the Netherlands, with everything represented therein: bastions, ravelins, lunettes, glacis, and inundations, but also listening tunnels, kilometers-long galleries, and ‘flutter mines’. Much of the fortification has been demolished; Not visible, but often still present below ground level. We are talking about the ‘Hidden Fortress’. In Bergen op Zoom, a part has been uncovered and is open to visitors. In a cellar, you will find the remains of a section of the fortress, including the remnants of a massive stair tower, the ‘Galerie Majeure’, and fluttering mines. Then there is the unique situation where a scale model was made in 1750, depicting the entire city with every house and the complete fortress in detail. All together, it measures about 15 by 6 meters. In the Menno van Coehoorn tour, you get a complete picture of Menno van Coehoorn’s fortress, starting with the scale model of Bergen op Zoom in 1750. There, we have a full overview and see the strategic ingenuity of Menno van Coehoorn. Then we proceed through the city to a still-existing ravelin, descend into the casemates, and imagine ourselves as soldiers peering at the enemy through the loopholes. Finally, we see the excavated remains in the Cellar and are surprised on giant screens by the story of the French siege in 1747, which put an end to the illustrious fortress. Prices and reservations Would you like to join the Menno van Coehoorn tour? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. Price € 14 per person. Minimum group size 6 people, maximum group size 12 people. Reservations for groups smaller than 6 people are possible. The price is then € 84 per walk.

This palace was built at the end of the 15th century, the golden age in the history of Bergen op Zoom, under the direction of the famous Mechelen master builders Antoon and Rombout Keldermans. Noblesse oblige: the Court of the Lords and later the Marquises of Bergen op Zoom had to be dignified enough to receive high-ranking guests from all over Europe. And the guests were certainly not insignificant: Charles V and Philip II, among others, entered the Court through the canopy.

Of the 50 noble townhouses in the Southern Netherlands, only a few remain, and this is the only city palace that is still entirely complete, including its outbuildings. A true marvel! The guides from Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom not only tell visitors the story of this magnificent building but also take them back to the noble life of the Lords and Marquises (and yes, even the occasional Marchioness) of Bergen op Zoom, as well as the period when the building served a military purpose. With your purchased ticket, the museum section of the Markiezenhof can also be visited before or after this guided tour. Opening hours:

The Markiezenhof is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Would you like to learn more about the history and residents of this unique city palace? Our guides provide a tour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:00 PM. You must reserve at least 2 hours in advance for the tour. It is possible to book a tour outside of the times mentioned. Would you like to book a guided tour at the Markiezenhof? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. The admission price for the Markiezenhof, including the guided tour, is €12.50. Visitors holding a Museum Card pay €4.50. The photo shown is the property of the Markiezenhof.

The Middle Ages is the era of fortification. As soon as cities emerge, inhabitants feel the need to defend themselves against anyone intent on targeting their prosperity. As weapons improve, high, thick walls and heavy gates no longer suffice. Cities hide behind heavy ramparts featuring bastions, ravelins, and lunettes. In France, the fortification engineer Vauban elevates the art of designing impregnable fortresses to great heights.

Menno van Coehoorn adapts Vauban’s ideas to the Dutch situation. Here, it is not necessarily a broad rampart that must repel the enemy; water can help! He incorporates inundations into the defense of city and country. The Bergen op Zoom sections of the Southern Water Line show the final stage of fortification construction in the Netherlands, with everything represented therein: bastions, ravelins, lunettes, glacis, and inundations, but also listening tunnels, kilometers-long galleries, and ‘flutter mines’. Much of the fortification has been demolished; Not visible, but often still present below ground level. We are talking about the ‘Hidden Fortress’. In Bergen op Zoom, a part has been uncovered and is open to visitors. In a cellar, you will find the remains of a section of the fortress, including the remnants of a massive stair tower, the ‘Galerie Majeure’, and fluttering mines. Then there is the unique situation where a scale model was made in 1750, depicting the entire city with every house and the complete fortress in detail. All together, it measures about 15 by 6 meters. In the Menno van Coehoorn tour, you get a complete picture of Menno van Coehoorn’s fortress, starting with the scale model of Bergen op Zoom in 1750. There, we have a full overview and see the strategic ingenuity of Menno van Coehoorn. Then we proceed through the city to a still-existing ravelin, descend into the casemates, and imagine ourselves as soldiers peering at the enemy through the loopholes. Finally, we see the excavated remains in the Cellar and are surprised on giant screens by the story of the French siege in 1747, which put an end to the illustrious fortress. Prices and reservations Would you like to join the Menno van Coehoorn tour? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. Price € 14 per person. Minimum group size 6 people, maximum group size 12 people. Reservations for groups smaller than 6 people are possible. The price is then € 84 per walk.

This palace was built at the end of the 15th century, the golden age in the history of Bergen op Zoom, under the direction of the famous Mechelen master builders Antoon and Rombout Keldermans. Noblesse oblige: the Court of the Lords and later the Marquises of Bergen op Zoom had to be dignified enough to receive high-ranking guests from all over Europe. And the guests were certainly not insignificant: Charles V and Philip II, among others, entered the Court through the canopy.

Of the 50 noble townhouses in the Southern Netherlands, only a few remain, and this is the only city palace that is still entirely complete, including its outbuildings. A true marvel! The guides from Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom not only tell visitors the story of this magnificent building but also take them back to the noble life of the Lords and Marquises (and yes, even the occasional Marchioness) of Bergen op Zoom, as well as the period when the building served a military purpose. With your purchased ticket, the museum section of the Markiezenhof can also be visited before or after this guided tour. Opening hours:

The Markiezenhof is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Would you like to learn more about the history and residents of this unique city palace? Our guides provide a tour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:00 PM. You must reserve at least 2 hours in advance for the tour. It is possible to book a tour outside of the times mentioned. Would you like to book a guided tour at the Markiezenhof? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. The admission price for the Markiezenhof, including the guided tour, is €12.50. Visitors holding a Museum Card pay €4.50. The photo shown is the property of the Markiezenhof.

The Middle Ages is the era of fortification. As soon as cities emerge, inhabitants feel the need to defend themselves against anyone intent on targeting their prosperity. As weapons improve, high, thick walls and heavy gates no longer suffice. Cities hide behind heavy ramparts featuring bastions, ravelins, and lunettes. In France, the fortification engineer Vauban elevates the art of designing impregnable fortresses to great heights.

Menno van Coehoorn adapts Vauban’s ideas to the Dutch situation. Here, it is not necessarily a broad rampart that must repel the enemy; water can help! He incorporates inundations into the defense of city and country. The Bergen op Zoom sections of the Southern Water Line show the final stage of fortification construction in the Netherlands, with everything represented therein: bastions, ravelins, lunettes, glacis, and inundations, but also listening tunnels, kilometers-long galleries, and ‘flutter mines’. Much of the fortification has been demolished; Not visible, but often still present below ground level. We are talking about the ‘Hidden Fortress’. In Bergen op Zoom, a part has been uncovered and is open to visitors. In a cellar, you will find the remains of a section of the fortress, including the remnants of a massive stair tower, the ‘Galerie Majeure’, and fluttering mines. Then there is the unique situation where a scale model was made in 1750, depicting the entire city with every house and the complete fortress in detail. All together, it measures about 15 by 6 meters. In the Menno van Coehoorn tour, you get a complete picture of Menno van Coehoorn’s fortress, starting with the scale model of Bergen op Zoom in 1750. There, we have a full overview and see the strategic ingenuity of Menno van Coehoorn. Then we proceed through the city to a still-existing ravelin, descend into the casemates, and imagine ourselves as soldiers peering at the enemy through the loopholes. Finally, we see the excavated remains in the Cellar and are surprised on giant screens by the story of the French siege in 1747, which put an end to the illustrious fortress. Prices and reservations Would you like to join the Menno van Coehoorn tour? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. Price € 14 per person. Minimum group size 6 people, maximum group size 12 people. Reservations for groups smaller than 6 people are possible. The price is then € 84 per walk.

This palace was built at the end of the 15th century, the golden age in the history of Bergen op Zoom, under the direction of the famous Mechelen master builders Antoon and Rombout Keldermans. Noblesse oblige: the Court of the Lords and later the Marquises of Bergen op Zoom had to be dignified enough to receive high-ranking guests from all over Europe. And the guests were certainly not insignificant: Charles V and Philip II, among others, entered the Court through the canopy.

Of the 50 noble townhouses in the Southern Netherlands, only a few remain, and this is the only city palace that is still entirely complete, including its outbuildings. A true marvel! The guides from Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom not only tell visitors the story of this magnificent building but also take them back to the noble life of the Lords and Marquises (and yes, even the occasional Marchioness) of Bergen op Zoom, as well as the period when the building served a military purpose. With your purchased ticket, the museum section of the Markiezenhof can also be visited before or after this guided tour. Opening hours:

The Markiezenhof is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Would you like to learn more about the history and residents of this unique city palace? Our guides provide a tour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:00 PM. You must reserve at least 2 hours in advance for the tour. It is possible to book a tour outside of the times mentioned. Would you like to book a guided tour at the Markiezenhof? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. The admission price for the Markiezenhof, including the guided tour, is €12.50. Visitors holding a Museum Card pay €4.50. The photo shown is the property of the Markiezenhof.

The Middle Ages is the era of fortification. As soon as cities emerge, inhabitants feel the need to defend themselves against anyone intent on targeting their prosperity. As weapons improve, high, thick walls and heavy gates no longer suffice. Cities hide behind heavy ramparts featuring bastions, ravelins, and lunettes. In France, the fortification engineer Vauban elevates the art of designing impregnable fortresses to great heights.

Menno van Coehoorn adapts Vauban’s ideas to the Dutch situation. Here, it is not necessarily a broad rampart that must repel the enemy; water can help! He incorporates inundations into the defense of city and country. The Bergen op Zoom sections of the Southern Water Line show the final stage of fortification construction in the Netherlands, with everything represented therein: bastions, ravelins, lunettes, glacis, and inundations, but also listening tunnels, kilometers-long galleries, and ‘flutter mines’. Much of the fortification has been demolished; Not visible, but often still present below ground level. We are talking about the ‘Hidden Fortress’. In Bergen op Zoom, a part has been uncovered and is open to visitors. In a cellar, you will find the remains of a section of the fortress, including the remnants of a massive stair tower, the ‘Galerie Majeure’, and fluttering mines. Then there is the unique situation where a scale model was made in 1750, depicting the entire city with every house and the complete fortress in detail. All together, it measures about 15 by 6 meters. In the Menno van Coehoorn tour, you get a complete picture of Menno van Coehoorn’s fortress, starting with the scale model of Bergen op Zoom in 1750. There, we have a full overview and see the strategic ingenuity of Menno van Coehoorn. Then we proceed through the city to a still-existing ravelin, descend into the casemates, and imagine ourselves as soldiers peering at the enemy through the loopholes. Finally, we see the excavated remains in the Cellar and are surprised on giant screens by the story of the French siege in 1747, which put an end to the illustrious fortress. Prices and reservations Would you like to join the Menno van Coehoorn tour? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. Price € 14 per person. Minimum group size 6 people, maximum group size 12 people. Reservations for groups smaller than 6 people are possible. The price is then € 84 per walk.

This palace was built at the end of the 15th century, the golden age in the history of Bergen op Zoom, under the direction of the famous Mechelen master builders Antoon and Rombout Keldermans. Noblesse oblige: the Court of the Lords and later the Marquises of Bergen op Zoom had to be dignified enough to receive high-ranking guests from all over Europe. And the guests were certainly not insignificant: Charles V and Philip II, among others, entered the Court through the canopy.

Of the 50 noble townhouses in the Southern Netherlands, only a few remain, and this is the only city palace that is still entirely complete, including its outbuildings. A true marvel! The guides from Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom not only tell visitors the story of this magnificent building but also take them back to the noble life of the Lords and Marquises (and yes, even the occasional Marchioness) of Bergen op Zoom, as well as the period when the building served a military purpose. With your purchased ticket, the museum section of the Markiezenhof can also be visited before or after this guided tour. Opening hours:

The Markiezenhof is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Would you like to learn more about the history and residents of this unique city palace? Our guides provide a tour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:00 PM. You must reserve at least 2 hours in advance for the tour. It is possible to book a tour outside of the times mentioned. Would you like to book a guided tour at the Markiezenhof? Book via the Stadsgidsen Bergen op Zoom website or VVV Brabantse Wal. The admission price for the Markiezenhof, including the guided tour, is €12.50. Visitors holding a Museum Card pay €4.50. The photo shown is the property of the Markiezenhof.