Bergen op Zoom

Bergen op Zoom is a town in the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands situated on both sides of the small river Zoom. The province has access to the North Sea and here you can’t enjoy the same things as while having leisure on the Baltic Sea coast because it is colder, but has a rich history and ancient traditions. So if you are appreciating the culture you will be interested in visiting Bergen op Zoom.

Bergen op Zoom is full of medieval well built houses, the market-places and squares that even now keep the atmosphere of those times. It has an arsenal, an ancient Town Hall with portraits of the city’s major figures, a Latin school, and an academy of design and architecture. There is also located The Gevangenpoort ruined old castle, which was turned into barracks. The Grote Kerk (St. Gertrude’s Church), dating from the 14th century and the Markiezenhof (Court of the Marquis) finish the ancient look of the town. Bergen op Zoom is also can boast of its port. The locals and the whole Netherlands, like people who started sailing in Veneto region and now provides for the great water holidays, are in love with the water.

Bergen op Zoom became a lordship in 1287 when it separated from Breda and was a hereditary fief of the duchy of Brabant. The flourishing period came in the 15th century as a trade centre. Many English merchants visited the town to make good deals and they enjoyed special privileges. It wasn’t taken by the Spaniards, but couldn’t resist the French in 1747 during the War of the Austrian Succession. During the World War II it was occupied by the Germans.
Bergen op Zoom specializes in such economic activities as fishing (anchovies), oyster culture, asparagus growing, metallurgical and engineering works, confectioneries, biscuit factories, and one of Europe’s largest distilleries.

In addition in Bergen op Zoom you can also book a room in one of the medieval-styled hotels of Bergen op Zoom, which are available in large amount and offer the highest level of service combined with the ancient atmosphere and furniture. But the modern ones are also operate here, so you can choose any of them to you taste.