Breda is a picturesque, historic city, the recent history of which is very closely related to Poland. In 1944, it was liberated by the troops of general Stanisław Maczek, and many of his soldiers stayed in Breda after the war, creating a large Polish community.
The first records of Breda date back to the 11th century, and it was granted city rights in the mid-13th century. This initiated the rapid development of the center, mainly related to trade and crafts. The city walls with bastions and towers, which were built at that time, were among the most powerful in the Netherlands.
Monuments are a memento of the golden age of Breda's development. Visiting the very center of Breda, which is surrounded by canals, leads mainly to the market square surrounded by tenement houses. In its vicinity is the monumental Gothic Main Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Breda. There is also a Beguinage from the Beguinage Museum, the place where the Beguinage Order was formerly located. The oldest part of the city is adorned with the Breda Castle, which is now used by the local military school. In addition to the Market Square, the main meeting place is the Ginneken Market with numerous cafes and beer houses.
Breda has been known for its beer production since the Middle Ages. To this day, there are several craft breweries, including De Beyerd, connected to a pub, where you can watch the beer brewed live.
Among the attractions of Breda are also the local museums. The most famous is the Beer Advertising Museum, but you can also visit the Nac Museum, which collects items related to this sports club, and the Bouvigne Castle on the outskirts of town. The Reptile Zoo and the Wolfslaar Farm, which allow children to have contact with animals, are also very popular.
In October 1944, Breda was liberated from German occupation by units commanded by General Stanisław Maczek. Several hundred of his soldiers remained in the city, creating families here. Traces of gratitude to Poles are still visible here. The pews in the Main Church were decorated with sculptures depicting soldiers of the Armored Division with the signatures "Thank you, Poles". There is also one of the tanks that belonged to the troops in the city, a monument to the Panzer Division, and in the military cemetery in Breda, General Maczek is buried next to his soldiers. The main street of Breda was also named after him.
