When I was invited to Breda for the Blind Walls Film Fest, I also had the opportunity to embark on a captivating journey through the vibrant street art of Breda, a gem of medieval architecture nestled in the heart of the Netherlands.
Boasting a rich history and a lively cultural landscape, Breda has transformed into an artist’s canvas, showcasing vibrant expressions of urban creativity at every turn. This transformation establishes Breda as an essential destination for both street art lovers and visitors seeking unique experiences.
At the forefront of Breda’s street art revolution is the Blind Walls Gallery, an innovative organization that has redefined the urban landscape by curating an ever-growing collection of murals inspired by the city’s past and present. These breathtaking works of art, created by a diverse array of Dutch and international street artists, offer a unique narrative of Breda’s heritage, making the city’s walls whisper tales of history, culture, and inspiration—hence the moniker “city mural museum.”
Active since 2015, Blind Walls Gallery has created more than 150 murals on and off the streets of Breda. In this Street Art Travel Guide of Breda, I’m showcasing the ones I liked the most.
So, hop onto your bike and prepare to be enchanted by the murals in Breda. Let’s dive into not only the artistry and stories behind each piece but also the spirit of a city that embraces innovation while honoring its roots.
Molsparking, the Epicenter of Street Art in Breda
Our exploration of street art in Breda starts at the very place where the Blind Walls Gallery project began in 2015: Molsparking. This open-air parking lot in the city center showcases an impressive array of murals by Dutch and international artists. The choice of this location was initially influenced by the municipality’s expectations of its imminent demolition. Yet, as we embark on our journey, we’ll find that these murals still proudly stand!
The mural that kicked off the whole project was created in 2014 by Rutger Termohlen, Collin Van Der Sluijs, and Super A. The three Dutch street artists collaborated to create a mural inspired by the nearby Sint Joostkapel. This 15th-century chapel, dedicated to Saint Sebastian (Sint Joost), the patron saint of plague victims, is the oldest in Breda. Its significance is heightened by the mural that pays homage to its history, with the mouse symbolizing the Black Death. This symbolic connection stems from the role that rats, and more specifically the fleas living on these rats, played in transmitting the disease to humans.
The following year, Johan Moorman added his touch with a mural that recalls a whimsical moment from 1988 when circus elephants roamed Akkerstraat, the street next to Molsparking.
Dutch illustrator Rick Berkelmans, known as Hedof, has contributed two murals to Molsparking. His first, created in 2015, bridges the past and present by depicting the vegetable garden that once flourished here in the early 19th century.
His second, painted in 2018 in collaboration with Greenpeace, draws attention to deforestation for palm oil production, inspired by the historical “Simons Kuiperij en Houtzagerij,” a lumber mill that operated in this area from 1898 to 1968.
Gé Smit’s work on wooden panels pays tribute to the Breda Art School St. Joost and its notable alumni, including designers Michelle van Mil, Kees Zwart, and Marlies Dekkers, showcasing the school’s influential role in shaping artistic talent.
In 2020, Berlin-based street artist Isakov designed a mural inspired by the Maria Hemelvaart church, which was located one block away from the mural. The church was demolished in 1967 despite protests from local residents. Annie van Gils, the owner of the wall, expressed a wish to have the church back.
Lastly, one of my personal favorites in Breda! (below a detail pic; you can see the full artwork at the beginning of this Breda Street Art Travel Guide)
Created in 2023 by the French duo Monkeybird, this intricate artwork adorns the pedestrian tunnel through Lange Stallen (a former horse stable). This stencil art masterpiece, inspired by ‘The Surrender of Breda’ by Velasquez, celebrates the enduring partnership between humans and horses, symbolizing openness and transition.
Street Art in Breda’s City Center
Amsterdam-based artist Street Art Frankey is celebrated for his humorous and inventive street art that interacts creatively with urban settings, transforming everyday objects into engaging art installations. During a visit to Breda in 2020, Frankey unveiled “A New Day” along the River Mark, which recently re-emerged in the city center following the creation of a new harbor. This artwork pays homage to the sun’s role in nurturing riverside greenery.
Alongside the riverbank, Polish artist M-City‘s impactful mural, “Robot Dino,” was completed in a single night. It draws from the city’s industrial heritage, particularly the area’s connection to the historic Etna factory, replacing the imagery of iron foundries with a robotic dinosaur equipped with scissors, nodding to the contemporary barber shop within the same building.
Close by, Hedof revisits the site of his first mural with a new work aligned with Blind Walls Gallery’s aim to narrate Breda’s stories through street art. It illustrates various storytelling modes — via mobile phone, music, text, a peace pipe, and dreams — with a rat as a troubadour sharing tales.
Painted in 2022, Portuguese artist Kruella d’Enfer‘s mural in the Fellenoord area of Breda captures the juxtaposition of tradition and modernity, with the river ‘De Mark’ symbolizing unity amidst the diverse urban landscape. A paper plane adds a playful touch, reflecting the spirit of the new park that will soon be realized.
Berlin’s artist duo ZEBU drew inspiration from the storied past of the building now hosting Galerie Ecker. The mural’s figurative elements pay tribute to its history as a carpet factory, and later, as a studio for sculptor Hein Koreman, creator of the war monument ‘De Vlucht’ in Valkenberg park. The left side of the mural depicts a figure sculpting, hinting at the building’s current role as a visual arts gallery and studio.
Akacorleone‘s mural in a pedestrian alley leading to Breda’s shopping street offers a critique of consumer culture,
while a mural on the next alley by FRM alludes to St. George’s legend, tying into Breda’s historical narrative.
Dutch artist Joren Joshua has created two murals in the city center. The first, “Bitterbal & Champagne” (2015), features a festive scene: a couple celebrating with cocktails and the beloved Dutch snack, the bitterbal.
His second mural commemorates the 50th edition of the Breda Jazz Festival in 2022, showcasing a musician on a unique stage known as ‘de zuil,’ a fixture at the festival held in the Grote Markt.
In 2017, Collin Van Der Sluijs painted a song thrush behind the former Concordia city theater, a nod to Abraham de Winter, a late 19th-century comedian and a precursor to modern cabaret, whose performances once graced its stage.
Back in 2019, upon my first visit to Breda, I elected this one my favorite mural in the city! Paintet by Zenk One in 2016, this mural honors Godevaert Montens, Breda’s mayor during the Dutch War of Independence, depicting his valiant but tragic efforts in 1581 against Spanish forces, an event that led to the city’s severe plundering.
Street Art in Breda, Beyond the City Center
Amok Island‘s art, deeply influenced by early naturalists’ illustrations, achieves a remarkable level of accuracy and detail akin to scientific drawings, emphasizing natural exploration and conservation. His deep-rooted passion for nature and its interaction with humanity is evident in his work, where he strives to draw the audience’s attention to the beauty and complexity of the natural world. By simplifying his subjects to their essential geometric forms and employing a thoughtfully chosen color palette, Amok Island finds a delicate balance between minimalism and realistic representation. His 2019 mural of a potato plant on a street named after Vincent van Gogh nods to Van Gogh’s “The Potato Eaters” and also to the potato fields of a Catholic guest house for people in need that used to be in the area.
Colectivo Licuado‘s 2018 mural, “A Solid Meal,” ranks as one of my favorite Breda murals, capturing a medieval meal scene inspired by the still life paintings of Clara Peeters, one of the very few female painters during the Golden Age.
Case Maclaim draws from local football club icon Hein van Poppel, depicting a father encouraging his weary daughter, incorporating elements reminiscent of the NAC stadium.
Zenk One honors kickboxing legend Ramon Dekkers, featuring symbols tied to his nickname “The Diamond” and his status as a Muay Thai world champion.
The Dutch duo TelmoMiel painted a mural to honor a pivotal moment in history. In 1940, following the Nazi invasion of The Netherlands, Mayor Van Slobbe led a large-scale evacuation, ‘De Vlucht’ (The Escape), prompting over 50,000 residents of Breda to flee south. They packed cargo bikes, farm carts, and prams with their possessions. Among them, Willem de Kok, his pregnant wife, and their five children sought refuge in a school in Sint Niklaas, Belgium. Their encounter with a man and his donkey, who refused to enter the school, led Willem to seek shelter elsewhere, saving them from a subsequent bombing of the school. Inspired by Willem de Kok’s story, TelmoMiel’s mural features a girl with animal ears and flowers, symbolizing ‘De Vlucht.’
Close by, a mural from French street artist Mantra infuses the Tuinzigt neighborhood—a name that in English would be “Garden View”—with a touch of nature. It showcases butterfly species on the brink of extinction in the Netherlands, featuring, from top to bottom, the peacock butterfly, the thistle butterfly, and the blue butterfly.
In this mural, which features a pigeon dressed in traditional Dutch clothing, Venezuelan artist AlfAlfA drew inspiration from the numerous pigeon breeders historically residing around Dijklaan. The area was reportedly home to at least 14 pigeon breeders, including a former champion of Dutch pigeon racing.
Super A created a 37-meter mural influenced by the adjacent polder. In the 80-year war, the Vuchtpolder’s strategic flooding halted soldier advancement. This method, known as inundation, now is used to combat certain weeds. The mural features the “Spanish horseman” flower underwater, symbolizing the Spanish soldiers barred from Breda. A depicted woman gazes over the polder, embodying reflection and purity. Super A often incorporates fairy tale elements in his art, using the mural’s water reflection to critique social media’s façade of beauty and identity.
In 2017, Guido de Boer paid homage to Pieter Laurens Mol’s “Head Dope Dead Hope,” near Mol’s former studio.
British graffiti legend Ben Eine was commissioned to enhance the underpass beneath the train tracks dividing the city center from Belcrum, which has transitioned from a working-class area to a creative hub. Utilizing his distinctive typography, Eine inscribed the words “Meaningful,” “Imagineer,” “Mesmerising,” and “Storytelling” as a tribute to Breda’s current vibrancy and its reputation as the ‘City of Imagineers.’
Rob and Robin‘s keycord mural at the Breda University of Applied Sciences symbolizes the events industry, as required by the committent.
Fin Dac, in collaboration with Nol Art and Edo Rath, painted a geisha on a Japanese restaurant, incorporating Breda’s red and white colors.
In 2017, HNRX created a diptych in Breda’s Princenhage, a neighborhood celebrated for its fruit and vegetable cultivation and my personal favorite part of the city. Drawing inspiration from the area’s agricultural heritage, HNRX revived the essence of its once-abundant produce. The artwork features a unique blend of blackberries, cherries, dentures, toothbrushes, and matches, all rendered in HNRX’s characteristic comic-surrealist style.
In 2022, Joram Roukes painted Breda’s tallest mural to date. It features flowers symbolizing the neighborhood’s diversity and fleeting nature. The vase, pieced together from segments of different vases, symbolizes the unity of diverse elements, mirroring the neighborhood’s varied historical phases. An oak tree adorning the vase nods to the neighborhood’s name, Heusdenhout, which translates to ‘forest of towering trees, a source of wood for stems,’ highlighting the area’s origins.
Breda Street Art Map
Find these murals in my Breda Street Art Map!
Breda’s Blind Walls Gallery
Blind Walls, the organization behind these artistic endeavors, doubles as a physical gallery space located in Breda (Terheijdenstraat 1), specializing in illustrations, graphic art, and urban art.
The Blind Walls Gallery hosts frequent solo exhibitions featuring artists who have previously created a mural in the city. Visitors have the unique opportunity to purchase artworks from the creators whose pieces adorn Breda’s streets. Every three months, the gallery showcases a new artist, and guests are encouraged to visit, preferably with an appointment.
Breda Travel Guide
In addition to the Blind Walls Gallery, art enthusiasts should not miss the opportunity to explore the Stedelijk Museum Breda and the Breda City Gallery. For those fascinated by Medieval Architecture, Breda offers an abundance of sights, including numerous churches and the charming Begijnhof. This 13th-century beguinage offers a quieter experience compared to its Amsterdam counterpart—I found myself as its sole visitor!
Beguinages served as communities for Beguines, lay religious women who chose communal living without formal vows or seclusion. The Begijnhof in Breda stands out for its beautifully preserved complex of homes and a church, providing a rare window into the Beguines’ spiritual and communal life.
Yet, my favorite spot in Breda is STEK, a bustling creative hub nestled in the Belcrum district. Welcoming visitors at STEK’s entrance on Veilingkade are two remarkable murals from 2013: a parrot by Zenk One, symbolizing communication, love, sociability, and kindness—apt descriptors for this creative nexus—and a robotic figure by Super A, reflecting the leap from Robocop to cyber superhumanity, where science fiction merges with our everyday reality.
STEK stands out for its vibrant community of small businesses, startups, artists, and craftspeople who have transformed shipping containers and temporary structures into innovative workspaces. Originally envisioned as a short-term initiative to rejuvenate a neglected industrial area, STEK has evolved into a beacon of urban renewal and a cornerstone of Breda’s creative economy. It hosts an array of workshops, studios, and shops, showcasing everything from artisanal creations and distinctive art to eco-friendly products and organic fare.
During my visit, I made a stop at Prooef for a cappuccino and stumbled upon a café that doubles as an upcycling boutique. There, I snagged a t-shirt and a necklace at an unbeatable price—a delightful find!
When is the best time to visit Breda?
The optimal months to enjoy pleasant weather in Breda are May through September. In 2019, I planned my first visit to Breda to immerse myself in its renowned carnival. The city is celebrated for its dynamic carnival parade early in the year, as well as being the host of the Breda Jazz Festival, which stands as the oldest and largest multi-day jazz festival in Europe.
But undoubtedly, the best time to visit Breda is, unquestionably, in December for the Blind Walls Film Fest: hope to see you there!
Cafés and Cool Spots in Breda
Homemade Dishes at Maritz Slow Food
I already tried Maritz Slow Food’s meticulously prepared slow meals back in 2019, and I liked them so much that I wanted to go back! Maritz Slow Food offers a quaint and intimate dining experience in their small restaurant space, where every corner is filled with warmth and their promise of “the most delicious homemade dishes” is not just a statement.
Bühne, the creative space inside a former bank’s vault
Bühne transforms a former bank vault into Breda’s incubator for creativity. It’s a unique space where musical, artistic, and culinary talents thrive, offering performances, exhibitions, and dining experiences. Visitors can enjoy everything from live music and art shows to delicious curries.
TEDS Botanique, the café inside Breda’s Botanical Gardens
Nestled within Breda Botanique’s lush greenhouse and gardens, Teds Breda Botanique is well-known for its all-day brunch experience. With delicious dishes and drinks served against the backdrop of charming interior, Teds creates a vibrant atmosphere perfect for any time of day.
Breda Street Art Travel Map
Find all these spots in my free street art travel map of Breda!
