Vishal

The Vishal at the Haven, on the corner of Vismarktstraat in Breda, is a notable national heritage site that has been linked to trade around the old inner harbour for centuries. Its location was ideal: goods such as fish, grain, wine, and beer entered the city via the river Mark, after which a dock crane from 1397 was used to unload the cargo.

Around 1500, the city council decided to build an official fish hall on the site where a house formerly stood, known as The Paradise. This building was purchased and demolished to make room for the new marketplace. Beside the hall, an so-called Indhuys was erected, where six inspectors oversaw the quality of the fish and where storage fees were paid.

The original Vishal was an open hall with three bays and a slate-covered roof, supported by Doric limestone columns. Between 1880 and 1905, the building underwent several modifications: the inner rows of columns disappeared, the hall was made single-aisled, and fencing was added. In 1906, the roof was also renewed.

In 1966, the Vishal received the status of a national monument and was restored, during which much of the natural stone was replaced. Since 2007, the building has been held under lease by Stadsherstel Breda, which carried out further restorations to preserve its historic character.