"Kasteel van Breda" Top 5 Page for this destination Castle Tip by Nathalie_B

When the first settlement was established in the nowdays' city of Breda, in the 12th century, farmers and traders who lived there built a fortress. This fortress later became a castle after it was sold to the Dutch noble man Jan van Polanen.
3 centuries later this castle became the property of Hendrik III van Nassau. Hendrik was married 3 times to a very wealthy heiresses, the first two, who died, left him a lot of money. So he could add a lot to the already existing castle. He was inspired by the renaissance and often invited artists and scholars to the city. The two fortified towers known today as a "Spaniards' Hole" were the outcome of Hendrik's inspiration. But the person who had the real influence on him was his third wife Mencia de Mendoza. She made a lot of changes in the castle as well as inside of it.
After the son of Hendrik the III died the castle of Breda passed to the German William of Orange later known as William the Silent - father founder of the Netherlands.
Since the year 1826 the castle became the property of the Dutch Royal Academy (KMA) and the entrance to the casle became impossible for the civilians. Sometimes it is possible to schedule a guided tour around the KMA but only outside the castle itself. If you're interested you will have to contact the local tourist info center (VVV)
Usually, once a year during the "Noord Brabant open castle day" people are given the opportunity to go inside the castle itself, but it looks like the year 2006 will be the last chance to do this. The KMA made the decision to turn the castle into the dorms for its cadets, once it happens the castle will be closed for the general public FOREVER

Address: Kasteelplein