Valkenberg Park

Until 1812, the Valkenberg served as a castle garden for the Lords of Breda. A stroll in the park was not accessible to 'ordinary Bredanaars'. Only the castle residents and their guests were welcome there. In the park, there were cages with falcons (Valken in Dutch) that the Nassaus used for falconry.

The park originally was a real forest with tall trees. Hendrik III van Nassau had a garden laid out in Italian style in the sixteenth century, which was adapted to a garden in French style in the seventeenth century. 
When you look at the plot with Hercules, a replica of one of the seventeen statues that were in the park at that time, you get a bit of an idea of what this French-style garden looked like.

What a difference with today's Valkenberg! Students seek out the sun, or the shade of the ancient trees. Fathers and mothers let their children play in the playground. Geese and rabbits have made the park their home. The Valkenberg has become a bustling place. 

In the park you will also find the sculpture De Vlucht by artist Hein Koreman. It commemorates the early days of World War II when thousands of residents of Breda had to flee the city. The annual Remembrance of the Dead takes place here on 4th of May.