Permanent exhibition
The Nassaus of Breda
Castle, City and Country
Step into the world of The Nassaus of Breda, the permanent exhibition at Stedelijk Museum Breda. Historical objects, art, and captivating stories offer a surprising view of the city's history and the influential Nassaus.
Castle, City and Country
The grandeur of Breda is closely tied to the intriguing family history of the House of Orange-Nassau, the current royal family of The Netherlands—a well-kept secret. Generations of this family have shaped the city with their ambitions, lavish celebrations, wealth, schemes, intrigues, struggles, and battles. From the undisputed power couple Hendrik III and Mencia de Mendoza to the well-known prince: William of Orange.
Their influence is evident everywhere: in the Grote Markt, the elegant court houses, the fortress, the imposing Grote Kerk with the Nassau tombs, and in Valkenberg Park. Here, you’ll find the specially designed Renaissance garden of the Castle of Breda, the first of its kind outside Italy.
A Journey through Three Centuries
Visitors embark on a journey through three centuries. It is a period of the rise, flourishing, and decline of Breda. The presence of the Nassaus secured the city a prominent place in the Low Countries. Step by step, the course of this significant history unfolds, ultimately leading to the Peace of Münster and the creation of the Netherlands as we know it today. And do you know the story of the ruse with the Turfschip? We reveal it here.
The multi-year program Royal Roots connects the history of the Nassaus of Breda with that of the city. The exhibition is part of this long-term cultural program.
