Basilica of Saints Agatha and Barbara - Oudenbosch

When Pastor Hellemons was studying in Rome, he was impressed by the 16th-century St. Peter's Basilica. Years later, he decided to commission the construction of a smaller version of the church in Oudenbosch. About three centuries after the construction of the church in Rome, the famous architect Pierre Cuypers built a version that is sixteen times smaller but still very impressive. Construction began in 1865, and the church was not consecrated until 1892. At that time, the decorations of the basilica were still not complete. The decorator continued to work on the decorations and paintings until the mid-1930s.

For fifty cents, you can climb the 144 steps to the dome and admire the magnificent interior from a height of 30 metres. Look up at the paintings on the ceiling, walk through the church, or descend to the basement where there is a small museum and a shop. As a previous visitor aptly described it: ‘The basilica is impressive and a real gem in this part of the Netherlands.’ The building is part of the Largest Museum in the Netherlands, an initiative that makes hidden art treasures accessible to a wide audience.

The Basilica of St. Agatha and St. Barbara, as the church is officially called, is still in use as a place of worship. Visitors are welcome to walk in freely during opening hours. Every Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., there is a guided tour, and those who want more in-depth information can opt for a private tour or use the audio tour in Dutch or English.

In 1911, the Zouave Monument was erected on the square near the entrance. It was dedicated to the Zouaves, fighters for the Pope in Italy, who travelled from all over the Netherlands via Oudenbosch to Rome.

Photo 2: ©Brabant Partners