PRESTIGIOUS MUSEUMS IN THE HEART OF THE CITY CENTRE
The prestigious museums are only a few steps away from each other in Tilburg. If you stand in front of the impressive Sky Mirror in the garden in front of De Pont, you'll see the chimneys of the TextielMuseum extending above the roofs. Then walk along the Gasthuisring to the Spoorzone and turn left to Vincents Tekenlokaal (Vincent's drawing room) or keep straight on to the Brabant Nature Museum. Enjoy the leading museums in the heart of the city centre, walking distance from each other.
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Museums
SKY MIRROR AS AN EYE-CATCHER
The six-metre high Sky Mirror by the British artist Anish Kapoor is located in a specially designed garden in the forecourt of De Pont. A special gift for the 25th anniversary of De Pont, because the “sky mirror” is the only work by Kapoor that can be viewed in a public space in the Netherlands. The now world-famous artist expresses his thanks to De Pont, which first gave him the opportunity to exhibit his work early in his career. The Sky Mirror draws fans and visitors from all over the world who want to see and experience his work.
MODERN ART IN DE PONT
From the north side of the station, you walk along the Clarissenhof, through the Stedekestraat and via the historical Wilhelminapark to one of the most prestigious and most-visited museums in the Netherlands, all in under 15 minutes: De Pont. The museum draws premier artists to the city and puts Tilburg on the international map. De Pont is based in a former wool spinning factory which has been renovated into a space where modern art really shines. The monumental old factory with the large, light room and intimate “wool corners” forms a beautiful environment for many works of art.
ARE YOU THE NEW VINCENT VAN GOGH?
Stroll into the Spoorzone and enter the world of Vincent van Gogh. Vincent van Gogh arrived in Tilburg in 1886 as a boy of 13 years old. He took lessons in a school where the Paleis Raadhuis now stands. He also had drawing lessons there, and no moss grew on his inspiration, it's indelible. From the city hall to where the Spoorzone is now, where drawing and technology come together in Vincents Tekenlokaal. The Tekenlokaal is a creative spot for talents to bloom. You can get busy with oil paints, brushes, spatulas, graffiti spray cans or a digital pen. And don't worry: you don't have to be the new Van Gogh to be immortalized in Vincents Tekenlokaal.
A TEXTILE MUSEUM THAT IS ANYTHING BUT STUFFY
From De Pont, cross the Goirkestraat and you're just a few steps from the TextielMuseum. In the heart of what was once a blossoming wool town, the museum reminds one of the rich history of the textile industry. The smoking chimneys are a thing of the past, but an early 20th century steam machine can still be seen in the machine room. Hard work has gone into the old wool blanket factory on the Goirkestraat. The industriousness from way back then continues in this “museum in operation”.
MUSEUM OF THE YEAR
In 2017, the TextielMuseum was named “Museum of the Year” in the Netherlands. And it's well earned. Because the museum is a true cultural hotspot: an industrious, creative meeting place of international allure where visitors and users enjoy exhibitions, demonstrations, educational programmes, experiments and expert meetings.
PLAYFUL DISCOVERY IN THE BRABANT NATURE MUSEUM
Walk back to the station and cross underneath to get to the south side. You'll be right in front of the Brabant Nature Museum, where you have nature right under your nose in the midst of the city. Great for the entire family, whether you're 3 or 83. Everything you need to know about animals, humans and plants in unique exhibitions with a different view of life and nature. You can look, but getting involved is even better, of course. Using interactive activities, you'll discover something new every day in the Nature Museum. You'll find that playful character all throughout the museum. Extra handy: the museum is right across from the Tilburg train station, so easily reached with public transport.
Tilburg Next
In the coming years, there will be plenty of work to connect the two top museums in the Netherlands better to the offerings in the city centre.
NUMBER OF MUSEUM VISITORS
TextielMuseum 65,000
De Pont 91,000
Brabant Nature Museum 73,000
Would you like more information about museums or one of the other atmospheric areas of Tilburg? Click here, you'll be redirected to the website centrumtilburg.nl.
