Eindhoven is a city of light with a focus on technology

10 February 2020 0 By beheerder

When they hear the name Eindhoven, most people will immediately think of Philips. Philips has become known as a lamp manufacturer and is one of the most important companies in the area. Philips provides a gigantic employment opportunity throughout the region. Yet there is more to discover in Eindhoven than people would think at first sight. Eindhoven was already on the map in 1232 and in that year it also received its city rights from Hertog Hendrik van Brabant.

At that time Eindhoven was a fortified city, it is just a shame that there is virtually nothing left of it. Many of the ramparts and fortifications were lost during the 80-year war. Many valuable buildings were also lost at the time and what was preserved was looted in the following centuries. The area around Eindhoven therefore has a history of fighting, looting and the accompanying malaise.

Eindhoven during the 80 year war - the siege of Eindhoven - 1583 — Eindhoven during the 80 year war – the siege of Eindhoven – 1583

Philips

However, even though Eindhoven is not the place to view historic buildings, Eindhoven is still a very interesting city. The influence of Philips on the city and surroundings can be found everywhere. Just think of the statue of Anton Philips, or the statue of the Lamp Maker or the Radio Monument.

The Evoluon

Everyone who has ever been to Eindhoven, and many of the residents of the Netherlands have been there mainly with school trips, who also knows the Evoluon. The building that takes the form of a UFO or flying saucer has served as a museum for many years.

The building was erected in 1966 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Philips company. In the museum, the youth could learn everything about technology. What made this museum interesting for the youth was that it was a DIY museum. You could arrive anywhere and experiment with it, which gave you insight into different technologies from an early age. That was then new and especially attractive for students and other young people. Many schools traditionally organized a ‘Evoluon trip’ once a year. It was part of an NS day trip. Moreover, there were no competing technology museums in the Netherlands. However, due to competition from museums such as the NINT in Amsterdam and later NEMO in Amsterdam, interest in the Evoluon declined and it had to adjust its activities.

Strijp-S

Just outside the center of Eindhoven is Strijp S. This is what is now the hip and creative part of Eindhoven. Strijp S is located on the former Philips site and was not open to the public until 2004. Nowadays this “forbidden city” is accessible to everyone. The old factories and offices nowadays serve as a residential complex with trendy lofts, as a restaurant, as a shop, as a hotel, as a BMX park or as a discovery factory. The squares and streets are used for events such as the Feelgood Market or the Dutch Design Week and much more.

Prehistoric village

If you don’t like all that hip, you can also travel back 13000 years in time at the pre-historic village. Here you learn everything about the everyday life of the past, learn about the ancient crafts and peasant life of that time. The Pre Historic Village is an open-air museum, but is very nice in all weather types. Participate in archery or make a canoe yourself or try baking a pot. Fun guaranteed for the whole family.

City walking park

The Stratum district is located in the southern part of the city. Here you will find the city walk park, a beautiful park where you can walk and enjoy the beautiful visual arts that can be found throughout the park. You can also find the Radio Monument from 1936 here. This monument symbolizes the first radiographic connection between the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies that was established in 1927.

Philips de Jong walkingpark

There is another large park and that is the Philips de Jong Wandelpark. Here you regularly run into the selection of PSV who keep their forest run here. You can regularly see members of the PSV selection passing by during their forest run. This park can be found in the Strijp district near the De Wielewaal estate and the Herdgang.

Genneper water mill

The Genneper water mill can be found in the Gestel district. This water mill stands on a base that probably dates from before 1249. The mill was completely destroyed during the 80-year war but was rebuilt again in 1587. Later in 1963 the mill was partly rebuilt during a major restoration. The mill is a flour mill and was powered by a water wheel. The mill is no longer in use today, but is open to the public on Sundays. A shop is located in the mill. A nice fact is that this mill could already be seen on a number of different works by Vincent van Gogh.