Netherlands > The Swan Brotherhood House

After breakfast, we leave the Fletcher hotel in Rosmalen. We drive to the nature reserve called the Bossche Plaat. It takes a moment to find a place to park the car. However, paid parking does not apply on Sunday mornings. The Bossche Plaat once formed the defense of Den Bosch. Around the city was a marshy natural area. Attackers of the city could hardly move through the swampy landscape. Attempts that did succeed were bombarded from the bastions. Frederick Hendrick, a son of William of Orange, attacked the city in 1629. He had an extra dike built around the city and diverted the rivers Aa and Dommel around the city. This allowed the area around the city to be drained. As a result, he could relatively easily take the city.

Netherlands - The small river Dommel south of Den Bosch

Many citizens of Den Bosch still speak of the occupation of the city rather than its liberation by the Protestants. Today, none of this struggle is visible anymore. Runners, cyclists, and walkers roam around the Zuiderplas. Boats sail on the water. In the distance, we see the silhouette of the city of Den Bosch. At the Ir. Segers pumping station, we go under the A2 motorway. Here lies the Sterrenbos (Star Forest). The walking path is on a small dike. On both sides lies a marshy forest. Due to the high water level of the rivers, the water reaches the dike. It is wonderful walking through this beautiful nature. The sunny weather helps a lot. Via the Plettelaar forest, we return to Den Bosch. By car, we drive to the city center. We park in the Sint Josephstraat parking garage. This garage is free for up to two hours on Sundays. We take another stroll through the city. We try to cross some small bridges over the Dieze river. Via the Sint-Jacobus Church and the Sint Jacobshofje (courtyard), we arrive at the Hinthamerstraat. At two o’clock, we have a tour of the Zwanenbroedershuis (House of the Swan Brothers). We are a little early.

Netherlands - For centuries members of the Illustrious Brotherhood of Our Blessed Lady have gathered here

On the corner of the street, we order a drink. We watch people walking and cycling by. The Zwanenbroeders form one of the oldest associations in the Netherlands. The Den Bosch society Illustre Lieve Vrouwe Broederschap, as the official name goes, was founded in 1318 by a group of Catholic clergy in honor of Mary. Over the centuries, it has evolved into an exclusive society. The society has 36 brothers: 18 Protestants and 18 Catholics. Besides the brothers, the association has about 120 aspirant members. Only when a brother dies or resigns can an aspirant become a brother. Since 1484, the brothers have met at the Hinthamerstraat. In the nineteenth century, the current neo-Gothic building was constructed. Inside, the building has a mysterious atmosphere. The halls are full of traditions. Once a year during a dinner, a swan is served. This is where the name Zwanenbroeders comes from. At the table, everyone has their own seat. A nameplate prevents confusion. The tour ends at the display cases where nine large choir books from the sixteenth century are preserved. Most are handwritten. After an hour and a half, we are back outside, richer by a beautiful experience. We walk back to the parking garage and head home.