Breda is a city located in the Southern part of theNetherlands. The name Breda derives frombrede Aa('wide Aa') and refers to the confluence of the riversMark and Aa. More than 180,000 people live in this city.
BREDA IS FAMOUS FOR...
Breda is a cultural center with numerous academic and educational institutions, it has also become an important tourist destination given its historic city center with many beautiful old buildings. Since the Middle Ages, Breda has played an important role in the history of the Netherlands. It was under Spanish power from 1516 until the early eighteenth century and one of Velázquez's best known paintings The Surrender of Breda (1634-35) depicts the aftermath of one of the several battles in the 17th century. The town's fortifications today offer just one of many great reasons to explore this historic old city.
Breda's Old Town center is a picturesque place to explore and includes a ring of canals surrounding theGrote Markt, the majesticGrote Kerk and the 18th-century Town Hall(Stadhuis).
TheGrote KerkorOnze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk(Church of Our Lady) dates back to 1219. The church's magnificent 97-meter tower, completed in 1509, dominates the city and stands as Breda's best known landmark.
Breda has had a castle since the 13th century which has been both a defensive structure and a royal palace. Today it is home to the Dutch Royal Military Academy.
The Spanjaardsgat is a large water gate flanked by twin towers - the Granaattoren and the Duiventoren - and a length of wall. Also worth visiting is Breda'sPort Quarter, where a number of handsome old storehouses still stand, along with the remains of theGasthuispoort, one of three of the town's medieval gates.
LIFESTYLE
Breda is a perfect city to enjoy interesting streets and flower-filled parks. Its present peace belies its turbulent past, where its proximity to the Belgian border meant it has been overrun by invading armies many times.
When we speak about Breda and the Netherlands in general , it’s necessary to evoke flowers and especially the Tulip. This country has 68% market of world trade flowers. It is the country most exporting and importing of cut flowers and potted plants. They produce 88% of world production of Tulip but the rose is the flower most sold. The best moment to contemplate this wonderful sea of flowers is in spring, of course, especially in April and May.
Watch this video to learn more about Breda and its magnificent surroundings:
A postcard has arrived today from Breda in the
Netherlands, 1402 Km away! We are so excited!
Ans Jansen has chosen a beautiful card depicting her
country's well-known flower fields. We didn't know that the tulip comes from Hungary, thank you Ans for letting us know!!
If you want to know more about these flower fields and about
Ans's hometown, Breda, go to EXPLORING PLACES.
Our school choir, conducted by María José Novo, have also taken part in this project singing a song in Spanish that celebrates travelling as an adventure.
Ling Huang, our friend from Hangzhou, China, has been sent another postcard by Rafael Cachaldora, this time featuring an illustration of Ourense's Main Square:
Hangzhou is one of the seven ancient capitals and the largest city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China. It is quite near Shanghai (160 km) but quite far from China’s capital city Beijing (1040km). Hangzhou has a population of 8.7 million.
HANGZHOU IS FAMOUS FOR…
Hangzhou is renowned for its marvelous scenery and its historic and cultural heritage. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in China.
A Chinese saying and a pop song confirm this reputation:
Chinese saying:“Be born in Suzhou, live in Hangzhou, eat in Guangzhou, die in Liuzhou.” (simplified Chinese: 生在苏州, 活在杭州, 吃在广州, 死在柳州; traditional Chinese: 生在蘇州, 活在杭州, 吃在廣州, 死在柳州)
Song title: “There is a paradise in Heaven; on earth there is Hangzhou”
PLACES TO VISIT
West Lake
West Lake is a 12000 year-old artificial fresh water lake whose surrounding area includes numerous temples, pagodas and gardens.It has influenced poets and painters throughout Chinese history for incredible, and it has also been among the most important sources of inspiration for Chinese garden designers. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.
Leifeng Pagoda
Leifeng Pagoda is a five-story tower with eight sides, located on Sunset Hill south of the West Lake. Originally constructed in the year AD 975, it collapsed in 1924 but was rebuilt in 2002.
Lingyin Temple
Lingyin (Hidden Spirit) Temple is one of the largest and most visited Buddhist temples in China and holds the largest statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni in the lotus position.
National Tea Museum
This museum is the only one in China focused on the tea theme. Visitors can learn about Chinese tea culture. Besides functioning as a museum, here is also a research institution which often holds conferences on tea and its culture. Visitors also have the chance to see a tea art performance and drink teas in a quiet and cozy place.
LIFESTYLE
Hangzhou is a city of art and tea lovers. There are lots of theaters in Hangzhou showing performance of opera shows and traditional Chinese theatre.Tea is an important part of Hangzhou's economy and culture. The local government of Hangzhou heavily invests in promoting tea and the arts, with emphasis placed upon silk production, umbrellas, and Chinese hand-held folding fans.
Here you have a five minute video about Hangzhou’s magnificent scenery:
Our 6th postcard will go to Hangzhou, in China, 10348 kilometres away! Click Exploring places to learn about this Chinese city.
Hope Ling-Huang likes Rafael Chachaldora's inspiring illustration of the Praza Maior. Remember you can find out about Ourense's Main Square in our section Discover our hometown.
