Happy TravellerWelcome to Steenbergen, a charming town located in the province of North Brabant in the south of the Netherlands. With a population of 24,310 in 2021 and covering an area of 159.14 km2 (61.44 sq mi) of which 12.71 km2 (4.91 sq mi) is water, Steenbergen is a mainly agricultural municipality that includes a strongly growing greenhouse sector. However, the town and the nearby town of Dinteloord also contain some light industry. A new stretch of A4 motorway under construction is expected to further increase the municipality’s attractiveness, allowing easy connections with the large cities of Rotterdam to the north and the Belgian city of Antwerp to the south. The connection with the nearby city of Bergen op Zoom will also be improved as a result.
Steenbergen received city rights in 1272 and has a rich history that is still visible today. One of the most notable events in the town’s history is the crash of Wing Commander Guy Gibson’s Mosquito aircraft in 1944. Gibson was the first CO of the RAF’s 617 Squadron, which he led in the Dam Busters raid in 1943. He was killed along with his navigator, Sqn Ldr Jim Warwick, on a bombing raid on Rheydt (nowadays a borough of Mönchengladbach) operating as a Pathfinder Master Bomber based at RAF Coningsby, when his de Havilland Mosquito XX, KB267, crashed near Steenbergen on 19 September 1944. It was assumed for years that he had been shot down, but following the discovery of the wreckage it was found that a fault with the fuel tank selector possibly meant the aircraft simply ran out of fuel. An eye-witness account detailed how his aircraft circled Steenbergen and heard its engines splutter and stop. In 2011 it was revealed the Mosquito may also have been shot down in a friendly fire incident. The graves are in the RC cemetery of Steenbergen. Streets have been named for both Gibson and Warwick, and one of the aircraft’s propellers is located in the city park as a memorial.
Steenbergen is also home to several notable people, including Dutch naval officer and Patriot Johan Arnold Bloys van Treslong, Dutch racing cyclist Jan Maas, Dutch artist, sculptor, painter and medalist Niel Steenbergen, retired Dutch politician Ella Vogelaar, retired Dutch international footballer Pierre van Hooijdonk, Dutch former footballer and current football coach Eric Hellemons, and Moroccan-Dutch actor and presenter Nasrdin Dchar.
In addition to its rich history and notable residents, Steenbergen boasts a variety of attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy. The town’s charming streets are lined with historic buildings and quaint shops, while its beautiful parks and gardens offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Visitors can also explore the nearby town of Dinteloord, which is home to the stunning Dintelse Gorzen nature reserve and the impressive sugar factory museum. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or simply relaxing and enjoying the local culture, Steenbergen has something for everyone.
We hope you’ll join us in exploring this hidden gem of the Netherlands and discover all that Steenbergen has to offer!
