Your Essential Travel Guide To Eindhoven
Discover Things To Do In Eindhoven
Eindhoven is one of the larger and more modern cities in the Netherlands. In the last decade, it strengthened its position by becoming the national capital of graphics, technology, architecture and design.
A city has much to offer and is less frequently visited by tourists who usually go to the extremely popular places like Amsterdam.
Eindhoven is located in the south of the Netherlands, in North Brabant, on the Dommel River. If you are travelling from Poland to England by car, the shortest route goes around the city - maybe next time you can take a break and discover a previously unknown corner of Europe!
History of the city
Eindhoven was first mentioned when it was granted city rights. Back then, the city consisted of buildings surrounded by a wall and a small castle. There was also a market where farmers sold their products.
The city was often destroyed by invaders and fires. The situation improved in times when roads, canals and railway lines were built. Industrial activity began with the production of tobacco and textiles and has grown with the development of light bulbs.
The city was bombed during the Second World War and the reconstruction of the city lasted until the 1960s. In the last decade, Eindhoven has become famous for graphic and industrial design.
Museums
Van Abbemuseum contains works by artists such as Picasso, Chagall, Kandinsky, Theo van Doesburg, Mondriaan, Appel and El Lissitzky. The museum also houses a collection of Situationalist posters by Jacqueline de Jong.
In DAF Museum you can learn more about the truck industry and discover historical vehicles, including prototypes of passenger cars, military vehicles, fire brigade rescue vehicles and vehicles that took part in the Paris-Dakar rallie.
Philips Museum introduces visitors to the process of producing light bulbs and innovation in everyday objects and more specialised devices.
Eindhoven Museum is an open air archaeological museum which focuses on the iron age and the Middle Ages. The way of life is shown through interactive demonstrations, for example cooking on open fire, playing games from the Middle Ages, or throwing a javelin.
Other attractions
MU artspace focuses on the visual culture of the past and present, boldly introducing visitors to the world in which art, design, pop culture and modern media are merged.
Visit the house of Ton Smits, a Dutch cartoonist who lived in Eindhoven in the 30s and drew caricatures mocking the Nazis during the Second World War. Visitors can visit the artist's studio, take a look at his less known abstract paintings and see his drawings in regularly changing exhibitions.
Evolun is a unique building which reminds of a flying saucer from outside and was built in 1966 to house a technology museum. Now it is a conference centre and one of the symbols of Eindhoven.
Football fans can also visit PSV Eindhoven stadium.
