The Markiezenhof is the oldest city palace of the Netherlands, located in the historical heart of Bergen op Zoom in the southwest of the country. The building, dating from the late medieval period, hosts a museum which shows the history of the town and region, including a large permanent exhibition on the history of fairs.
The Markiezenhof residential palace was built in the 15th century for the lords and marquises of Bergen op Zoom. As the oldest city palace in the Netherlands, the Markiezenhof is one of Brabant´s four official top historical monuments (taking its place alongside St. John´s Cathedral in ´s-Hertogenbosch, the Great Church in Breda and Heeswijk Castle).
It´s a must-see attraction for anyone with an interest in heritage and history. The museum attracts both Dutch and international visitors with temporary exhibitions and surprising activities such as birds of prey demonstrations, lectures, tours, treasure hunts, and major concerts. “What a surprising museum. With so many rooms, there´s always enough to see about the lords and marquises who lived here, the history, trade, and carnival rides from the period.”
Besides the permanent collection on the local and regional history, the Markiezenhof regularly has temporary exhibitions featuring mostly local artists who display their work in disciplines such as photography, painting, sculpture or graphics.
In addition to being a museum about the history of Bergen op Zoom and the surrounding area, the Markiezenhof is also home to the Carnival Museum, so it's great for kids, too! Fact: this Carnival Museum is the only one in the BeNeLux! Besides the carnival, the second floor is dedicated to fairgrounds, the anatomical cabinet and cinematograph!
Accessibility
The Markiezenhof is a monument from the late Middle Ages. The building is restricted to wheelchair users and / or disabled people.
The ground floor and French Garden are accessible to all visitors and there is an elevator to the first floor, where most of the rooms are also accessible.
Some rooms on the first floor and the second floor (fairground) are unfortunately not accessible for wheelchair users and disabled people.
More than a museum
Besides the museum, the Markiezenhof is also home to a diverse offer of events such as concerts, theatrical performances, the raptor shows in August and many more.
Many rooms in the building are excellently suitable to hold business events such as presentations, conference, meeting or even business diner. The Markiezenhof is furthermore a beloved location for wedding ceremonies and photo series of newly wed couples. It has everything you need for a successful corporate event - it's perfect for both smaller groups and meetings hosting hundreds of guests. You can also get married in this uniquely special building.
This diverse scale of activities makes the Markiezenhof the lively heart of the historical centre of Bergen op Zoom.
Bergen op Zoom
The Markiezenhof is the crown jewel of Bergen op Zoom, a city housing over 800 monuments that together tell the story of a rich and turbulent history. The Gevangenpoort (Prison Gate) is the city's only remaining medieval city gate, and at the bottom you'll find Escape the Gate, an escape room inside one-and-a-half metre thick walls. Saint Gertude's Church (with its Pepper Pot tower) is situated on the Grote Markt, along with De Maagd theatre and the monumental City Hall building. Experience the plethora of monuments yourself when you visit Bergen op Zoom's compact city centre, where you can almost literally taste the arts, culture, and history in the city's medieval lanes and squares.
