Kloosterkazerne

The Kloosterkazerne at Kloosterplein in Breda is one of the most characteristic historic complexes in the city. The building began its history as a monastery of the Norbertine convent Sint‑Catharinadal, which settled here in 1308. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the monastery was expanded and renewed, including the monastery church and parts of the cloister gallery taking on their distinctive medieval form.

After the Peace of Münster, the complex lost its religious function in 1645 and was later converted into an infantry barracks. The monastery church, designed as a double chapel with seven bays and a three-sided termination, still forms the central part of the building. The natural stone accents, buttresses, and remaining window details clearly refer to the original monastery architecture.

In the 19th century, new expansions followed, including a large stable at Nonnenveld in 1843. At the end of the 20th century, the complex was given a new purpose: part of it was demolished for the construction of the Chassé Theater, while the remaining section was restored and repurposed. Today, the Kloosterkazerne houses, among others, Holland Casino and is an important part of Breda's cultural centre.