Breda Castle (Kasteel van Breda)

The beautiful Breda Castle is located in the centre of Breda on Kasteelplein, translated as Castle Square. It is not just a unique structure: it is a building tightly related to the history of the city.

It all began in the 12th century. At the junction of the Mark and Aa rivers where the trade route between Flanders and Holland passed, appeared a small farming settlement. At first, it was a tiny village. Then they built here a fortress, and in 1252, Breda, as the village was called, got the status of a city. Thus, several houses became almost a metropolis less than in a century.

The defensive fortress also expanded because merchants and their goods needed protection. This fortification underwent significant reconstruction in the 15th century. In 1536-1540, the whole complex was fundamentally changed by the order of Count of Nassau Henry III and turned into an elegant castle in the fashion-forward Renaissance style.

In the tough times of the French occupation, the magnificent Breda Castle housed barracks and then a military hospital. For these purposes, the complex was partially rebuilt: some buildings were completed or, vice versa, demolished. So, the residential Breda Castle turned into a military institution. This way, it returned to its original purpose.

In 1826, the first King of the Netherlands, William I, estimated its location and size and decided to place the Royal Military Academy here that has been occupying the complex to this day.

Unfortunately, plenty of original buildings have not survived. But even without them, the castle excites and attracts hundreds of guests every day, telling them the history of Breda.