Already at the first small settlement that would later grow into the city of Breda, a castle was built at the end of the twelfth century. About 200 years later, Jan van Polanen I had this castle transformed into a real castle with towers and a moat. Jan's granddaughter Johanna married the German count Engelbrecht van Nassau in 1403. With this, this eleven-year-old girl from Breda laid the foundation for the Dutch royal house. The Kasteel van Breda thus became the ancestral castle of the Nassaus in the Netherlands.

Jan IV, the son of Engelbrecht and Johanna, had the castle significantly renovated and expanded. However, the greatest changes were made by Hendrik III of Nassau in the sixteenth century. Due to his influential position at the court of Emperor Charles V, Hendrik travelled extensively through Southern Europe and was impressed by the Renaissance art in Italy.

Through his three marriages to wealthy women, Hendrik was rich enough to transform the castle into the first Renaissance palace above the Alps. He brought in architect Tomasso Vincidor de Bologna, a pupil of the famous Raphael, for this purpose. Hendrik's inspiration was his third wife, the Spanish Mencia de Mendoza.
During the renovation of the castle, Hendrik and Mencia had unique eye tiles made in Antwerp. These are still shrouded in mystery. Read more about these special floor tiles here.  

Even in the centuries that followed, much of the castle was demolished and remodelled. In 1826, a new era began for the castle. William I decided to establish the Royal Military Academy here. Unfortunately, much of the Renaissance appearance of the castle was lost during the renovation into an academy. The corner towers were flattened, and the many beautiful dormer windows had to make way for an additional floor.

Only in the 20th century was the historical value of the castle taken into account again during restorations. 
The Castle of Breda can only be visited during guided tours by Gilde de Baronie. From Park Valkenberg, you have a lovely view of the main building.

Explore Royal Breda hotspot
The Kasteel van Breda is part of the Explore Royal Breda route.  This route takes you on a discovery journey through the places that recall Breda's royal roots and connects surprising new locations with history. Curious? Check out the route here.

Nassau Exhibition Stedelijk Museum Breda
If you want to know more about the Nassaus and the role they played in Breda for one and a half centuries, then visit the permanent exhibition The Nassaus of Breda at Stedelijk Museum Breda.