Visit Erfgoed 's-Hertogenbosch

Erfgoed (Heritage) 's-Hertogenbosch is the starting point for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of 's-Hertogenbosch. In the centuries-old Groot Tuighuis, located in the heart of the city, you’ll encounter unique historical sources. You can even explore them yourself. Understanding today begins with our past. Entry to the heritage center is free.

Opening hours

Monday to Thursday
09.30 AM to 4.30 PM

Adjusted opening hours

Wednesday December 11th: closed
Thursday December 12th: closed from 3.00 PM

Closed on Dutch public holidays.

Exhibition

The story of 's-Hertogenbosch

Discover the history of 's-Hertogenbosch, from Neanderthals to the present, in our permanent exhibition. Take a journey through time and meet the people of 's-Hertogenbosch from the past. They have left their marks in the ground, in buildings, and in old documents.

At the reception, an English translation of the exhibition is available.

Group visits

Groups are also very welcome. Reservations are required for groups of fifteen or more. Please contact us via erfgoed@s-hertogenbosch.nl to make a reservation.

Guided tours

We offer free guided tours through the highlights of the exhibition and we will guide you through our collection depots.

ArcheoHotspot

ArcheoHotspot 's-Hertogenbosch is where you can get to know the work of an archaeologist for free and without an appointment. Ask a question about a find, observe an ongoing investigation, or experience archaeology up close by helping out in the archaeological laboratory.

Location

Erfgoed 's-Hertogenbosch (Groot Tuighuis)
Bethaniestraat 4
5211 LJ 's-Hertogenbosch
The Netherlands

Train

It takes a 20-minute walk from 's-Hertogenbosch station to Erfgoed 's-Hertogenbosch.

Car

From the St.-Jan parking garage, it is a 5-minute walk to Erfgoed 's-Hertogenbosch.

Accessibility

Erfgoed 's-Hertogenbosch is fully accessible for wheelchair users. There is also an accessible toilet on the ground floor. There is a disabled parking space close to the building. Parking is allowed for a maximum of three hours with a blue parking card. If the parking space is occupied, you can park on the square in front of our building. Please inform the reception about this.

Contact

Email: erfgoed@s-hertogenbosch.nl
Phone: + 31 (0) 73 615 52 95

Who we are

The Heritage Department is at the heart of cultural history preservation and development in the Dutch city of 's-Hertogenbosch (short: Den Bosch meaning the Duke’s Forest.) 30 historians, archaeologists, archivists and project managers, and over 100 volunteers work in this municipal department.

We are closely involved in preservation, listing, developing and providing access to the heritage in our city and the adjacent region, especially in the fields of archaeology, archives, building history, monuments and fortifications. We are the link between policy-makers, academics, students and the field itself by providing information, advice, and operate within the legal framework to safeguard our cultural heritage.

What we do

Development and advice

The heritage department in 's-Hertogenbosch acquires external funding for heritage projects, education, preservation and development. We advise professionals, private parties and public authorities on the restoration of heritage, development, repurposing, legislation and urban planning. By looking beyond our borders and using heritage as both resource and inspiration we can make a difference.

Preservation and conservation

We acquire, digitalize, manage and open up historical sources, such as archives, monuments and architectural, historical and archaeological materials, both physical and digital.

Research and documentation

By stimulating and supporting scientific research and publications by academics and the public alike, we get a better understanding of the past and provide a larger historical context.

Public and education

Storytelling and development of educational activities and programs are essential to reach a larger audience. We have a strong focus on digital storytelling and experiment with new techniques, such as apps and 3D models, to introduce our heritage to a wider audience. These activities are an addition to the ongoing organisation of public events such as expositions, workshops and presentations.

Den Bosch Time Machine brings 800 years of local history to life. Our goal is to connect and visualize big data from the past, to see what patterns and relationships can be identified between historical persons, locations and events.

Cooperation

We are looking for European cities, regions and knowledge partners to exchange expertise and to operate closely within EU funding and research programs on the following subjects:

Repurposing of religious and military heritage
Development of innovative business models for adaptive reuse (including funding tools)
Improving energy performance of heritage buildings
The use of modern technology in historical research, such as automatically generated transcripts of handwritten texts and 3D modelling
Professionalization of both education activities and volunteer management
Developing the art of storytelling
Opening up our depots to the public in a safe and attractive way
Developing and promoting the use of digital tools, such as apps, websites and 3D models, to introduce our heritage to a wider audience

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EFFORTS

The Heritage Department is founding partner of EFFORTS, the European Federation of Fortified Sites. EFFORTS’ mission is to share expertise, promote cooperation and emphasize the significance of fortified heritage as a continuing connection to our common European history and as a condition for social, economic and spatial development.
Visit EFFORTS website

About 's-Hertogenbosch

's-Hertogenbosch (or Den Bosch) is a historic city, strategically located at the centre of the Netherlands with about 154.000 inhabitants. The city's official name refers to its founding father, Henry I, Duke of Brabant. He founded the town on the forested sand elevations, surrounded by marshland, and granted 's-Hertogenbosch city rights in the late twelfth century.

The city was originally built as a fortress town and, during the 14th century, further expanded with a new city wall. As trade and industry flourished, the city became the second-largest population centre in the Netherlands with a bustling cultural life that produced famous Renaissance painters like Hieronymus Bosch and Jan Soens.

Entrance to the city from a parking garage below the old city walls

Impenetrable fortress

In 1972, the Dutch state declared the old city centre a protected cityscape. This led to much in situ preservation of its built heritage and its famous river underneath the city. Within our municipal boundaries, we currently house 513 national and 604 local classified monuments.

The historic centre is still almost completely surrounded by ramparts, a visible link to its past as an impenetrable fortress. The city earns international acclaim for its progressive architectural solutions in the historic city centre. Practical interventions necessary for water safety, parking and infrastructure are interwoven with the display of its rich history.