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Breda

Breda, Netherlands
City and Municipality
Grote Kerk in Breda
Grote Kerk in Breda
Flag of Breda, Netherlands
Flag
Coat of arms of Breda, Netherlands
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Breda in a municipal map of North Brabant
Location in North Brabant
Coordinates: 51°35′N 4°47′E / 51.583°N 4.783°E / 51.583; 4.783Coordinates: 51°35′N 4°47′E / 51.583°N 4.783°E / 51.583; 4.783
Country Netherlands
Province North Brabant
Government
 • Body Municipal council
 • Mayor Paul Depla (PvdA)
Area
 • Municipality 128.68 km2 (49.68 sq mi)
 • Land 126.04 km2 (48.66 sq mi)
 • Water 2.64 km2 (1.02 sq mi)
Elevation 3 m (10 ft)
Population (Municipality, May 2014; Urban and Metro, May 2014)
 • Municipality 180,420
 • Density 1,431/km2 (3,710/sq mi)
 • Urban 180,420
 • Metro 324,812
 •  553,706
 • Brabant CMSA 1,932,055
Demonym(s) Bredanaar, Bredaër
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postcode 4800–4841, 4847, 4850–4854
Area code 076
Website www.breda.nl

Breda (Dutch pronunciation: [breːˈdaː]) is a municipality and a city in the southern part of the Netherlands. The name Breda derived from brede Aa ('wide Aa' or 'broad Aa') and refers to the confluence of the rivers Mark and Aa. As a fortified city, the city was of strategic military and political significance. Although a direct Fiefdom of the Holy Roman Emperor, the city obtained a municipal charter; the acquisition of Breda, through marriage, by the house of Nassau ensured that Breda would be at the center of political and social life in the Low Countries. Breda had a population of 180,420 in 2014; the metropolitan area had a population of 324,812.

In the 11th century, Breda was a direct fief of the Holy Roman Emperor, its earliest known lord being Henry of Brunesheim (1080–1125). The city of Breda obtained a municipal charter in 1252. After that Breda had the rights to build fortifications. The city constructed brick walls and Roman-style gates.

In 1327 Adelheid of Gaveren Breda sold Breda to Duke Johannes III of Brabant. In 1350, the fief was resold to Johannes II of Wassenaar (d. 1377). In 1403 the heiress of his line, Johanna of Polanen (1392–1445), married Engelbert I of Nassau (1370–1442) (his sarcophagus is in the Grote Kerk in Breda). Through her, the city came into the possession of the house of Nassau, where it remained until 1795, passing to William I of Orange (1533–1584), stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, and Utrecht and leader of the Dutch revolt. Thus, the baron of Breda was also count of Nassau, Germany, prince of Orange and stadtholder of the Dutch Republic (from 1572–1650, 1672–1702, 1747–1795). Breda remained part of the barony Breda until it was taken by French revolutionary forces in 1795.


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