Liberation route Breda
This route in and around Breda shows the victory march of the Poles. In 1944, under the leadership of General Maczek, they liberated the city. Thanks to Maczek's insight, a large part of the city was spared.
Starting point: from your location
Show all 4 photos
This route in and around Breda shows the victory march of the Poles. In 1944, under the leadership of General Maczek, they liberated the city. Thanks to Maczek's insight, a large part of the city was spared. Even so, for the residents and those who live nearby, there's enough suffering to commemorate. From the drama in the woods, because the war lasted a few weeks too long for some, to the door-to-door fighting. On 5th September 1944, 'Dolle Dinsdag' ('Mad Tuesday') happened, as the end of the Second World War was (mistakenly) announced. The wheels of the resistance started turning. In silence of course, but how long can you keep that up?
The Liberation Route Brabant tel…
This route in and around Breda shows the victory march of the Poles. In 1944, under the leadership of General Maczek, they liberated the city. Thanks to Maczek's insight, a large part of the city was spared. Even so, for the residents and those who live nearby, there's enough suffering to commemorate. From the drama in the woods, because the war lasted a few weeks too long for some, to the door-to-door fighting. On 5th September 1944, 'Dolle Dinsdag' ('Mad Tuesday') happened, as the end of the Second World War was (mistakenly) announced. The wheels of the resistance started turning. In silence of course, but how long can you keep that up?
The Liberation Route Brabant tells the story of the liberation, but also shows what the Second World War was like for ordinary people who lived in Brabant at the time. Eight cycling routes, spread across North Brabant, lead you past the Brabant Remembers stories, the Liberation Route Europe audio columns, monuments and museums. Together they make the impact of the war on North Brabant clear, even all these years later.
-
Routes reporting point
Routes reporting pointIf there is something wrong on the route, report it here.
Sights on this route
Starting point
Kennedyplein 3
4891 BC Rijsbergen
Navigate to starting point
Monument Vloeiweide Rijsbergen
This monument has been built on the foundations of the forester Neefs’ house. This forester was the father of the Neefs family which featured in ‘The1
Pamięc Artwork
This piece of art was made by the Polish sculptor Tomasz Tomaszewski and bears the title Pamięc (Remembrance). The work depicts the tracks made by a1
Armoured tank
The Polish liberators of Breda donated a German armoured tank to the city in 1945. The tank remained in its original condition until 2004. Since its1
The Polish monument
De Adelaar (The Eagle) was unveiled in 1954, during the tenth anniversary of the Battle of Breda. Located in the Wilhelminapark, on the Generaal Macz1
Story of the route
-
Monument Vloeiweide Rijsbergen
This monument has been built on the foundations of the forester Neefs’ house. This forester was the father of the Neefs family which featured in ‘The allies are coming... or maybe not?’ story. The monument commemorates the sacrifices that the Neefs family and the fighters made such a short time before the liberation of the South of the Netherlands. 3. <Levensveranderend verhaal> Maczek’s honour In the red block you can read an excerpt of the gripping story of General Maczek. View the whole story in the Brabant Remembers Living History App. -
Pamięc Artwork
This piece of art was made by the Polish sculptor Tomasz Tomaszewski and bears the title Pamięc (Remembrance). The work depicts the tracks made by a Polish tank. The stone artwork has been installed in such a way that visitors can walk over it. -
Polish Maria Chapel
The Polish Chapel is a gift from Breda to the Polish community in gratitude for the liberation. The building was inaugurated on 31 October in the Marian year of 1954. The chapel contains an image of the Polish Madonna, based on an icon of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa. Materials used are mosaic tiles inlaid with precious stones, gold leaf and a sandstone frame. The beds are filled with flowers in the colours of the Polish flag: red and white. -
Armoured tank
The Polish liberators of Breda donated a German armoured tank to the city in 1945. The tank remained in its original condition until 2004. Since its restoration in 2004 the tank has been a wonderful monument. The tank has been given its original camouflage colours and broken parts have been replaced. -
The Polish monument
De Adelaar (The Eagle) was unveiled in 1954, during the tenth anniversary of the Battle of Breda. Located in the Wilhelminapark, on the Generaal Maczekstraat, it stands on the spot where troops from the 1st Polish Armoured Division were engaged in heavy fighting with Germans hiding in the park. The monument depicts the Polish eagle defeating the German occupier in a fierce fight. The inscription pays gratitude to the Polish liberators. -
Remembrance plaque
You will find the remembrance plaque on the Duivelsbrug bridge close to the Marckhoek. The plaque commemorates the people who were killed on 13 October 1944 by an unsuccessful precision bombing raid by the Allies. Days before the liberation of Breda the Allies decided to destroy the headquarters of the German 67th Army Corps. This was a complete failure. The bombs, intended for the German headquarters in Villa Marckendael at Duivelsbruglaan 54, fell on number 50; the Bad Wörishofen Health Centre. Patients with physical ailments were treated according to the Kneipp method in this centre that was set up by Doctor Soer. 27 patients and medical staff were killed, among them the doctor in charge.
- 18
- 12
- 14
- 88
- 86
- 87
- 16
- 17
- 11
- 26
- 25
- 32
- 35
- 33
- 47
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 05
- 27
- 15
- 18
Do you like this too?
-
Jan van Gorp cycling and walking route | Sagas & Legends
Jan van Gorp cycling and walking route | Sagas & Legends
2 hour 5 minutes 15.5 kmDiscover The Earthly Paradise from Jan van Gorp at Hilvarenbeek.
-
The Dancing Cats of Bergeijk Cycle Route
The Dancing Cats of Bergeijk Cycle Route
1 hour 40 minutes 22.0 kmWitchcraft in the Brabant Campine
-
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Breda
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Breda
2 hour 45 minutes 33.0 kmThis Van Gogh cycle route takes you past the Van Gogh highlights in and around Breda and Tilburg. There is a lovely connecting loop between both ci...
-
The White Feather Gang
The White Feather Gang
3 hour 35 minutes 43.0 kmThe White Feather Gang (Bende van de Witte Veer) cycle route is an exciting 43-kilometre route in the De Langstraat region of Brabant. It will take...
-
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Nuenen
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Nuenen
4 hour 5 minutes 49.0 kmYou will be cycling through a Vincent van Gogh painting on this route, past a unique collection of buildings, monuments and landscapes.
-
TOP Scenic Route Cycling Strabrechtse Heide
TOP Scenic Route Cycling Strabrechtse Heide
2 hour 24.0 kmCycle this recommended TOP Scenic Route through Strabrechtse Heide heath. During your bike ride you will discover how varied the area is.
-
Smugglers’ Route De Groote Heide: the customs officer | Border Stories
Smugglers’ Route De Groote Heide: the customs officer | Border Stories
3 hour 40 minutes 44.0 kmLearn about the customs officers’ past of De Groote Heide by following this 44-kilometre-long cycle route.
-
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Helvoirt
Vincent van Gogh cycle route Helvoirt
1 hour 40 minutes 21.0 kmHelvoirt is located in a rural area in the middle of North Brabant. This little gem, surrounded by beautiful countryside, forms part of the Van Gog...
-
Van Gogh cycle route Zundert – Northwest
Van Gogh cycle route Zundert – Northwest
3 hour 50 minutes 46.0 kmThis Van Gogh cycle route will introduce you to the six Van Gogh Monuments in Zundert, the five Van Gogh Monuments in Etten-Leur and various places...
-
Endless enjoyment
Endless enjoyment
3 hour 38 minutes 45.4 kmThis route takes you through a beautiful rustic area along the Belgian border. Go past vast estates, alternated with shady forests and green fields...
