According to gradinmath, Roosendaal is a provincial town located in the west of the province of North Brabant. Less than 80,000 inhabitants live here. Due to its location between Rotterdam and Antwerp, Roosendaal mainly attracts a fair number of visitors from South Holland and the province of Antwerp. Dutch day-trippers mainly come from campsites in surrounding villages such as Rucphen, Hoeve and Zegge. The Flemish guests are mainly shoppers who come to Roosendaal for a day of shopping. Monday is especially popular among the Belgians, who come to Roosendaal on that day mainly because of the Monday market.
The favorable location has ensured that Roosendaal was able to develop into a real industrial city during the industrial revolution. Well-known brands such as Philips, Liga, Red-Band and Biggelaar Tabak have had this on a large scale for years. Most factories have now made way for homes or logistics complexes. The changing economy goes hand in hand with a transformation of the city. Roosendaal is currently well on its way to preparing for a future through urban renewal in which living and living enjoyment must be lifted to a higher level, without the Roosendaal identity suffering as a result. For tourists, Roosendaal is primarily a compact city with many attractive green areas, a lively catering industry and plenty of shopping opportunities. Roosendaal also has a number of places of interest, of which we present the most interesting for you on this page.
Top 10 sights of Roosendaal
#1. The market
The oldest square in Roosendaal is the Markt. In the vernacular, the name Oude Markt is widely used. This is because people want to distinguish it from the later New Market, which is actually called that. On the eastern side, the Markt has two landmark historic buildings: the old town hall and St. John’s Church. This church building, dating from 1839, stands on the spot where a chapel was once built in the year 1268. The history of Roosendaal began with that chapel. St. John, as the building is often called for short, was withdrawn from worship in 2001. Since then it has been a cultural center.
The former town hall of Roosendaal that stands next to Sint-Jan is older. This monumental building dates from the end of the 16th century. Some adjustments have been made over the years. Although the city council has been meeting elsewhere for many years, the old town hall is still used occasionally. For example, you can optionally get married in the old town hall. A large part of the other buildings on the Market nowadays have a catering function. The number of shops is declining and the weekly market no longer takes place here. A reasonable part of the square is used for terraces. Events are regularly organized, such as Roosendaal Zingt, Beach Volleyball Tournament, Hap Stap Festival, Roosendaal Fair.
#2. Tongerlohuys Museum
Museum Tongerlohuys is located in a monumental building from 1762. This museum offers a small glimpse into the history of Roosendaal. On the first floor of this museum there is a permanent collection with objects that have been important either religiously or for industry or daily life. Downstairs there is room for changing exhibitions. The primary schools regularly visit for educational projects. There is a scavenger hunt in the museum for children between the ages of six and twelve. The building itself is also worth a visit. It is one of the most beautiful places in the center of Roosendaal. The original function of the Tongerlohuys was that of rectory for the nearby Sint-Janskerk.
#3. Estate Visdonk
The most popular nature reserve of Roosendaal is Landgoed Visdonk. For generations, Roosendalers come to Visdonk to enjoy nature, to be sporty and to play. Hikers in particular appreciate Landgoed Visdonk. The area covers an area of about 110 hectares, within which it shows different faces. The northern part of Visdonk consists mainly of forest, in the south you will find a mix of forests, heathland and a fen: the Rozenven. The Rozenven is a unique piece of nature where you can see other peat fluff and the rare bell gentian grow. In the summer, the dark sky blue flowers of this plant provide beautiful colors in the area around the Rozenven. The central part of Visdonk mainly consists of beautiful open areas. There are several walking routes through Visdonk. If you are lucky, you can spot deer here around dusk. To spoil the inner person, you can go to two catering establishments: the T-House and Lodge Visdonk, where the nature gate and the largest parking lot in Visdonk can be found.
#4. City banks
For years, the port of Roosendaal was an ugly area where industry and other companies determined the appearance of the Eastern and Western Havendijk. So much ugliness a stone’s throw from the city center was an eyesore. That is why in 2007 the city council presented the ambitious plan ‘ Stadsoevers’ presented. Not much later, the global credit crisis broke out, which caused a postponement and the necessary adjustments to the plan. Stadsoevers is now well on its way to becoming one of the most beautiful places in Roosendaal. The Zwaaikom is now ready and you can now take a nice walk along the Vliet in peace. The Urban Sport and Play Park offers entertainment for young and old. This is perhaps the nicest part of all of Stadsoevers, because so many different activities and sports have their place here. From a sturdy watchtower you can admire Stadsoevers from a higher vantage point.
Once it is completely finished, Stadsoever will probably move to the first or second place within these top 10 sights of Roosendaal.
#5. Designer Outlet Roosendaal
A major crowd puller is the Designer Outlet Roosendaal. This outlet shopping mall, which once started under the name Rosada, is located in the recreation area on the edge of Roosendaal. The Designer Outlet Roosendaal guarantees a wonderful day of shopping. Several major brands are offered, such as Nike, Ecco, Calvin Klein, Garcia, GSUS, Marc Picard, Björn Borg, Adidas, Haribo, Converse, Matinique, Riverdale and many more. There is plenty of free parking in external parking lots nearby, but for a small amount per day you are right in front of the door. There are various catering establishments where you can go for a cup of coffee and cake to a delicious meal.
#6. Hurks architecture
The Roosendaal architect Jacques Hurks has designed several buildings in Roosendaal. His design style belongs to the Amsterdam Schoolto calculate. Hurks was mainly influenced by Art Deco and New Objectivity. The buildings in Roosendaal that originate from his drawing pen are counted among the gems of the city. The finest examples are the villas in Ludwigstraat. A well-known building in Roosendaal designed by Hurks is the Sint-Josephkerk and the accompanying presbytery. This Roman Catholic church dates from 1923-1924. It is regarded as Hurks’ first major assignment. It is less well known that Hurks also designed the Essent building on Kadeplein. This building was built between 1956 and 1959. It is not registered as a monument, so it can be transformed into a residential complex (Kademeester).
#7. Mayor MarinePark
Roosendaal has quite a few parks and green zones for a medium-sized city. Well-known parks are the Emile van Loonpark in the center, Park Vrouwenhof and the Burgemeester Coenenpark. The Burgemeester Godwaldtpark, located on the north side of the Kortendijk district, has changed considerably since its construction in the late 1970s. The open character makes the park very suitable for small events.
As far as we are concerned, the most beautiful park in Roosendaal is the Marijnenpark, which was built in 2008. This elongated city park is naturally integrated between the residential areas of Kroeven and Tiolberg. It lies along the banks of the Watermolenbeek that meanders through the park. Whoever goes cycling or walking here will encounter various animals such as swans, geese, ducks and frogs. The trees provide a safe haven for numerous birds that you can hear and see here. Because the Minnebeek petting zoo is part of the Marijnenpark, you can see many other animals here, such as goats, rabbits and sheep.
#8. Roosendaal station
Roosendaal station has been one of Roosendaal’s leading buildings since 1854. Since the opening of the station, this has been a place where many train travelers have passed. Roosendaal station was primarily a border station. Whoever traveled to or from Belgium did so mainly through Roosendaal. The intercity between Amsterdam and Brussels has been running via Roosendaal for decades. It was also the departure station for the international train to Port-Bou, in the far south of France. Those who wanted to go to Paris by train, did so via Roosendaal. The arrival of the HSL, which runs via Breda, has ensured that the importance of Roosendaal as a border station has decreased considerably since 2012.
What has remained is a beautiful station building that replaced the earlier station in 1907. It was designed by railway architect GW van Heukelom. The then government architect GW Knuttel is responsible for the design of the impressive facade. The fairly large Stationsplein with fountain ensures that the façade comes into its own even better. Striking elements within the imposing facade are the images of various travel destinations that are incorporated here.
#9. Passing
Is it art or kitsch? The opinions of the visitors to De Passagevary widely. There are few who have no opinion about the appearance of this covered shopping promenade, which is centrally located in Roosendaal. The fact is that De Passage forms a special part of the shopping heart of Roosendaal. This shopping arcade connects two shopping areas. After a long period of renovation, this passage has finally become an eye-catcher in the city centre. The special Italian look that has been created is fairly unique. With its marble floors, crystal, stained glass and gold leaf you imagine yourself abroad. The rich look comes from the inspiration based on “The Venetian” in Las Vegas. But of course it is also about the range of shops. This one isn’t bad either
#10. Chapel Hill
The Kapelberg is a special place in Roosendaal. First, the location. Due to the urban expansion, the Chapel of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, as the chapel is officially called, is now surrounded by an industrial estate. The A17 motorway is also less than 90 meters from the chapel as the crow flies. When the Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Chapel was built in 1897, it was in the middle of the countryside. The chapel stands on a hill, hence the name Kapelberg. The road leading to it has a row of trees on both sides, which makes cycling or walking in itself beautiful.
The Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Chapel is an octagonal chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. This is a title of Mary in the context of Marian devotion. The chapel is mainly built in neo-Romanesque style. During Ascension Day, the silence of the Kapelberg is disturbed by dew trappers who walk to the Kapelberg from Roosendaal and Oud-Gastel.
