View source for Tilburg

{{Short description|City in North Brabant, Netherlands}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{For|the steamship|SS Tilburg{{!}}SS ''Tilburg''}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name               = Tilburg
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in the Netherlands by province|City]] and [[List of municipalities of the Netherlands|municipality]]
| image_skyline      = De heuvel in Tilburg.jpg
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = The Heuvel, a central square being overlooked by the [[Heuvelse kerk]]
| image_flag         = Flag of Tilburg.svg
| flag_size          = 100x67px
| flag_alt           = 
| image_shield       = Coat of arms of Tilburg.svg
| shield_size        = 100x80px
| shield_alt         = 
| mapframe = yes
| map_caption        = Interactive map outlining Tilburg
| pushpin_map        = Netherlands#Europe
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the Netherlands##Location within Europe
| pushpin_label      = Tilburg
| coordinates        = {{Coord|region:NL|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Netherlands]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces of the Netherlands|Province]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[North Brabant]]
| government_footnotes = <ref name="mayor_now">{{cite web |url=https://www.tilburg.nl/gemeente/bestuur/college-van-b-en-w/burgemeester/ |title=Burgemeester Fleur Gräper - van Koolwijk |trans-title=Mayor Fleur Gräper–van Koolwijk  |language=nl |publisher=Gemeente Tilburg |access-date=1 February 2025 }}</ref>
| governing_body     = [[Municipal council (Netherlands)|Municipal council]]
| leader_party       = [[Democrats 66|D66]]
| leader_title       = [[Burgemeester|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Fleur Gräper]]
| total_type         = Municipality
| unit_pref          = Metric
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{Dutch municipality total area|dataref}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = {{Dutch municipality total area|Tilburg}}
| area_land_km2      = {{Dutch municipality land area|Tilburg}}
| area_water_km2     = {{Dutch municipality water area|Tilburg}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="AHN">{{cite web |url=http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool |title=Postcodetool for 5038TC |language=nl |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |work=Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland |publisher=Het Waterschapshuis |access-date=17 April 2014 |archive-date=21 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053543/http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| elevation_m        = 14
| elevation_max_footnotes = 
| elevation_max_m    = 
| elevation_min_footnotes = 
| elevation_min_m    = 
| population_footnotes = <ref name="ReferenceA">{{Dutch municipality population|dataref}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">{{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|dataref}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=De grenzeloze regio |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b2yY6YDcyvsC&pg=PP1 |publisher=[[Sdu (publishing company)|Sdu uitgevers]] |quote=Het BBP van BrabantStad ligt op 14.7% van het nationale BBP. In de regio liggen Philips, de Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, de Universiteit Tilburg en de HAS Den Bosch. De regio heeft 1.4 miljoen inwoners. Er is veel R&D, ICT, automotive, logistiek en agribusiness. |date=2007 |isbn=9789012124577}}</ref>
| population_total   = {{Dutch municipality population|Tilburg}}
| population_as_of   = municipality, {{MONTHNAME|{{Dutch municipality population|popbasemonth}}}} {{YEAR|{{Dutch municipality population|popbaseyear}}}}; urban and metro, {{MONTHNAME|{{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|popbasemonth}}}} {{YEAR|{{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|popbaseyear}}}}
| population_density_km2 = {{Dutch municipality population density|Tilburg}}
| population_urban   = {{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|Tilburg Urban}}
| population_metro   = {{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|Tilburg Metro}}
| population_blank1_title = {{ill|Breda-Tilburg|lt=Metro region|nl}}
| population_blank1  = 553706
| population_blank2_title = [[Brabant metropolitan area]]
| population_blank2  = 1944588
| population_demonym = Tilburger
| timezone           = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset         = +1
| timezone_DST       = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +2
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in the Netherlands|Postcode]]
| postal_code        = 5000–5049, 5056, 5070–5071, 5074
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in the Netherlands|Area code]]
| area_code          = 013
| website            = {{URL|1=http://www.tilburg.nl}}
| blank_emblem_size  = 120px
| blank_emblem_type  = [[Brandmark]]
| image_blank_emblem = Tilburg logo.svg
}}

'''Tilburg''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈtɪlbʏr(ə)x|lang|227 Tilburg.ogg}}) is a [[List of cities in the Netherlands by province|city]] and [[List of municipalities of the Netherlands|municipality]] in the Netherlands, in the southern [[Provinces of the Netherlands|province]] of [[North Brabant]]. With a population of 229,833 (January 2, 2024), it is the second-largest city or municipality in North Brabant after [[Eindhoven]] and the seventh-largest in the Netherlands.

[[Tilburg University]] is located in Tilburg, as are [[Avans University of Applied Sciences]] and [[Fontys University of Applied Sciences]].

The region is served by three [[railway stations]]: [[Tilburg railway station|Tilburg]], [[Tilburg Universiteit railway station|Tilburg Universiteit]] and [[Tilburg Reeshof railway station|Tilburg Reeshof]]. The {{convert|75|ha|0|abbr=off|adj=mid}} "Spoorzone" area around Tilburg Central station, once a Dutch Railways train maintenance yard, has been purchased by the city and is being transformed into an urban zone.

== History ==
{{More citations needed|section|date=October 2022}}
[[File:Gem-Tilburg-OpenTopo.jpg|thumb|Dutch topographic map of the municipality of Tilburg, 2022]]
[[File:Willem II straat.jpg|thumb|Tilburg, [[William II of the Netherlands|William II]] street]]
[[File:St. Josephkerk or Heuvelkerk, Tilburg.JPG|thumb|Tilburg, ''Heuvel'']]
[[File:TilburgUniversityCampus 1.gif|thumb|upright|Tilburg University]]
Little is known about the beginnings of Tilburg. The name ''Tilliburg'' first appeared in documents dating from AD 709,<ref>{{Cite book |title=Oorkondenboek der Graafschappen Gelre en Zutfen tot op den Slag van Woeringen, 5 Juni 1288 |last=Baron Sloet |first=L. A. J. W. |publisher=Martinus Nijhoff |year=1872 |location=s'Gravenhage |pages=3 (no. 2)}}</ref> but after that there was no mention for several centuries. In the later Middle Ages, Tilburg referred to a region rather than a particular town or village; its population was largely in a couple of hamlets, one of which was known as "Eastern Tilburg" (''Oost-Tilburg''), which was later reflected in the name ''Oisterwijk'' ("Eastern Quarter"). This village centred around a small (probably wooden) castle or ''Motteburcht'' on an equally small hill, which became derelict and was torn down after a few centuries at most. Of this first "Tilburg Castle", nothing remained c.&nbsp;2000, except for a few remnants of its [[moat]] in the suburbs of Oisterwijk. In the 14th century, Tilburg was proclaimed a [[Manorialism|manor]]; together with [[Goirle]], it acquired the title of "The Manor of Tilburg and Goirle".

Successively, the manorial rights fell into the hands of several lords of noble lineage. They derived their income from taxes, [[Fine (penalty)|fines]] and interest paid by the villagers.

In the 15th century, one of the lords of Tilburg, Jan van Haestrecht, built Tilburg Castle. "That stone chamber at Hasselt" is mentioned in several historical documents. In 1858, however, the castle was pulled down to make way for a factory, but the name lives on, in the city arms and logo. A replica of the foundations of the castle was restored in {{circa|1995}} in its original location, after the factory was demolished. In 1803, Goirle was separated from Tilburg and on 18 April 1809, Tilburg was granted [[City rights in the Netherlands|city status]]. In that year, it had about 9,000 inhabitants.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}} In 2009 Tilburg hosted several festivities in celebration of 200 years as a city.{{vague|date=April 2015}}

=== Wool capital of the Netherlands ===
Tilburg grew around one of the so-called "herd places" or "Frankish triangles", triangular plots where a number of roads (usually sand roads) met. These herd places were collective [[pasture]]lands for flocks of [[domestic sheep|sheep]]. Their shape is still reflected in the layout of many places in Tilburg. Many districts, including Korvel, Oerle, Broekhoven, Hasselt, Heikant, De Schans, and Heuvel, bear the names of these old [[hamlet (place)|hamlets]]. The poor farmers living in these hamlets soon decided not to sell the [[wool]] from their sheep but to [[weaving|weave]] it themselves, and for a long time, much of the space inside their small houses was occupied by a [[loom]]—by the 17th century these numbered about 300. Enterprising people saw their chance. As so-called "drapers", they supplied the weavers with the raw materials for their "home working", and the first Tilburg "mill houses" came into existence. From then on, the wool industry underwent rapid growth, and in 1881 Tilburg had as many as 145 wool mills. Home weaving continued, however, until the early 20th century. Woollen textiles from Tilburg were known far and wide.

After [[World War&nbsp;II]] Tilburg retained its place as wool capital of the Netherlands, but in the 1960s the industry collapsed and by the 1980s the number of operating wool mills had declined. Present-day Tilburg industry consists of a wide variety of enterprises. The main economic sector has become transport and logistics with a variety of industry as a close second.

=== Urban renewal ===
When the wool industry collapsed in the 1960s, Cees Becht was the mayor of Tilburg. While he was in office, many old buildings were destroyed, including some precious monuments. The Koningswei neighbourhood (King's Meadows) was demolished and replaced by Koningsplein (King's Square). The reason for demolishing the neighbourhood was to replace slum with modern building. The new development, however, has not been successful and many feel that the square feels abandoned most of the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nai.nl/museum/tentoonstellingen/digitaal/strijd_om_de_stad/item_sos/_pid/kolom2-1/_rp_kolom2-1_elementId/1_647132 |title=Nederlands Architectuurinstituut - Item_sos - Koningswei Tilburg |publisher=Nai.nl |access-date=24 June 2014 |archive-date=3 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103095248/http://www.nai.nl/museum/tentoonstellingen/digitaal/strijd_om_de_stad/item_sos/_pid/kolom2-1/_rp_kolom2-1_elementId/1_647132 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Considered even worse was the demolition of the old city hall. This classicistic-styled building was a national-registered monument, but even that did not stop Becht's plans to demolish it to build the nine-storey, modern-day, black complex.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.regionaalarchieftilburg.nl/wiki/Stadhuis |title=Stadhuis - Tilburg Wiki |language=nl |publisher=Regionaalarchieftilburg.nl |date=26 February 2014 |access-date=24 June 2014}}</ref> A part of the empty area was used to build the system of the inner ''Cityring''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geheugenvantilburg.nl/component/option,com_raadplegen/Itemid,11/id,803/ |title=Het Geheugen van Tilburg - de gemeentehuizen van Tilburg |website=www.geheugenvantilburg.nl |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222203536/http://www.geheugenvantilburg.nl/component/option,com_raadplegen/Itemid,11/id,803/ |archive-date=22 February 2013}}</ref> Another building that was demolished was the old railway station, which was replaced due to ''Hoogspoor'' (literally: high rails), a project bringing the railway on viaducts to reduce traffic congestion around 1960. The century-old station building was replaced by the modern one.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.regionaalarchieftilburg.nl/wiki/Hoogspoor |title=Hoogspoor - Tilburg Wiki |language=nl |publisher=Regionaalarchieftilburg.nl |date=26 November 2013 |access-date=24 June 2014 |archive-date=11 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111033224/http://www.regionaalarchieftilburg.nl/wiki/Hoogspoor |url-status=dead }}</ref> Because of all of this and some more parts of Tilburg, Cees Becht gained the dubious nickname ''Cees de Sloper'' (Cees the demolisher).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geheugenvantilburg.nl/component/option,com_raadplegen/Itemid,9/id,387/ |title=Het Geheugen van Tilburg - Cees J.G. Becht |website=www.geheugenvantilburg.nl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301025452/http://www.geheugenvantilburg.nl/component/option%2Ccom_raadplegen/Itemid%2C9/id%2C387/ |archive-date=1 March 2009}}</ref>

=== Modern history ===
In the 1980s, many locations, formerly occupied by wool factories had been filled with small-scale housing projects. This mostly happened when Henk Letschert was mayor of Tilburg.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.regionaalarchieftilburg.nl/wiki/Henk_Letschert |title=Henk Letschert - Tilburg Wiki |language=nl |publisher=Regionaalarchieftilburg.nl |date=16 April 1975 |access-date=24 June 2014}}</ref> The ''Heuvel'', one of the important squares, had its own [[Tilia|lime tree]] until 27 April 1994, being chopped down for a bicycle parking basement. The felling led to many protests, because the tree was still healthy. After the Pieter Vreedeplein reconstruction, plans were made to plant a descendant of the original lime tree. Three were placed, only one of them survived. The last living tree was moved to another location again,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=30 March 2011 |title=Linde 17 jaar na dato terug mét hek |url=http://bd.nl/nieuws/tilburg-stad/linde-17-jaar-na-dato-terug-met-hek-1.78709 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909061851/http://bd.nl/nieuws/tilburg-stad/linde-17-jaar-na-dato-terug-met-hek-1.78709 |archive-date=9 September 2011 |access-date= |website=[[Brabants Dagblad]]}}</ref> but died shortly after. As of 23 November 2011, no more descendants have been placed. The current one is just another lime tree.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=22 November 2011 |title=Laatste dag voor dode linde op Heuvel |url=https://www.bd.nl/tilburg/laatste-dag-voor-dode-linde-op-heuvel~a6824582/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=3 January 2021 |website=[[Brabants Dagblad]]}}</ref> In the 1990s Tilburg developed a modern skyline. Because of new policy three buildings were built, which are considered skyscrapers in the Netherlands. These are the [[Interpolis]] headquarters, the [[Westpoint Tower]] and [[StadsHeer]]. The Westpoint Tower has an altitude of {{convert|143.1|m|ft|1|abbr=off}} and was the tallest residential tower in The Netherlands until the [[Montevideo (Rotterdam)|Montevideo]] in Rotterdam surpassed it. The 'StadsHeer' is the third one and is part of the 'Haestrechtkwartier' (Haestrecht quarter). The residential tower is nicknamed ''De Vogelkooikes'' (The Bird Cages) for its cubic balconies taped{{clarify|reason=Translation problem. No kind of tape is strong enough to hold up a balcony.|date=May 2017}} onto the building.

=== King William II ===
[[William II of the Netherlands|King William&nbsp;II]] (1792–1849) was fond of Tilburg. "Here I can breathe freely and I feel happy", he once said about the town. King William&nbsp;II always supported Tilburg—he provided money to improve the sheep breeding, built new farms and founded a [[cavalry]] barracks on St.&nbsp;Joseph Street, now a monumental building of the City Archives. Although the King was always made welcome by the manufacturers he had befriended, he needed his own residence in Tilburg, and commissioned the construction of a [[City Hall of Tilburg|palace]], which would function as his country residence. Construction started in 1847 and was completed just days before William II died, in 1849. It is now part of [[City Hall of Tilburg|Tilburg City Hall]]. In 1987 an [[obelisk]] was erected nearby, in memory of King William&nbsp;II. It replaced the old "needle" dating from 1874, which was removed from the street in 1968. After its restoration, William&nbsp;II's statue has got a place again in the heart of the city, where he felt happy among its inhabitants. The local football club [[Willem&nbsp;II Tilburg]] was named after the king.

== Topography ==
=== Tilburg Centrum ===
[[File:Map - NL - Tilburg - Wijk 00 Centrum.svg|thumb|64px|Location of Tilburg-Centrum]]

Tilburg Centrum is the downtown of Tilburg, and is situated between (clockwise) the Spoorlaan, Heuvelring, Paleisring, Schouwburgring and Noordhoekring, which is the same as the order of the one-way roads around the district. The district has 6,572 inhabitants, and most of the shops, hotels, restaurants and cafes of the city. In 2008, the refurbished Pieter Vreedeplein was opened to the public, addressing a lack of shopping facilities as compared to similar-sized cities in the Netherlands. Two smaller cinemas were replaced by a bigger one on the Pieter Vreedeplein in 2007. Despite being called ''Centrum'', the district is some distance southeast of the geographical center. The district is connected by the [[Tilburg railway station]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tilburg.nl/fileadmin/files/actueel/tilburg_in_cijfers/18-230-INF-Tilburg-in-cijfers-2018-DEF-juni-zonder_snijtekens.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.tilburg.nl/fileadmin/files/actueel/tilburg_in_cijfers/18-230-INF-Tilburg-in-cijfers-2018-DEF-juni-zonder_snijtekens.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=Tilburg in Cijfers -2018}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

=== Oud-Noord ===
[[File:Map - NL - Tilburg - Wijk 02 Oud-Noord.svg|thumb|64px|Location of Tilburg Oud-Noord]]

Oud-Noord is situated north of the railway that crosses Tilburg, and between the ''Ringbanen'' (ring roads around the city center). The district has 33,915 inhabitants. Contemporary arts museum ''[[De Pont Museum of Contemporary Art|De Pont]]'' is located within the district. When the [[Classification yard|railway marshalling yard]] belonging to the [[Nederlandse Spoorwegen]] became obsolete, a considerable stretch of the railway across the city, the ''[[Spoorzone (Tilburg)|Spoorzone]]'', became an [[urban renewal]] project. New premises for two courses run by [[Fontys University of Applied Sciences]] will be located here, as will Tilburg's new central library, replacing the library in Koningsplein.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bd.nl/nieuws/tilburg-stad/klein-deel-fontys-en-bibliotheek-naar-spoorzone-1.137578 |title=News about the settling institutes (Dutch, 19-01-2012) |publisher=bd.nl |access-date=24 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525231636/http://bd.nl/nieuws/tilburg-stad/klein-deel-fontys-en-bibliotheek-naar-spoorzone-1.137578 |archive-date=25 May 2012}}</ref> The railway yard is the largest area, though more areas along the railway will be reconstructed.<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [https://archive.today/20120915052345/http://www.tilburgspoorzone.nl/Home "Tilburg Spoorzone" website] (Website about the Spoorzone being reconstructed).</ref>

=== Oud-Zuid ===
[[File:Map - NL - Tilburg - Wijk 01 Oud-Zuid.svg|thumb|64px|Location of Tilburg Oud-Zuid]]

Oud-Zuid is a district south, and also west and east of downtown Tilburg. The district has 38,659 inhabitants. {{As of|2012}}, all the 'skyscrapers' of Tilburg, higher than {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}} are located within the district. The ''Hart van Brabantlaan'' is almost surrounded by high buildings like [[Westpoint Tower]] and the [[StadsHeer]] as a small part of the [[urban renewal]]. This area along the railway is partly located in ''Oud-Zuid''. Many important locations in Tilburg are located within the district, just out of the center, such as [[013]] music venue and the Schouwburg built in 1961. Also the Koningsplein with the main library and the Piushaven are located within the district. Old herd places include Korvel, Broekhoven and Oerle.

=== Noord ===
[[File:Map - NL - Tilburg - Wijk 04 Noord.svg|thumb|64px|Location of Tilburg-Noord]]

Tilburg-Noord is located north of the [[Wilhelmina Canal]]. The district has 23,340 inhabitants. Tilburg-Noord was built in the period 1966–1974. Therefore, it has many apartment buildings up to 16 floors, drive-in houses, green strips and industrial development. The streets in this district are mostly named after musicians from the Renaissance up to pop artists from the 1960s. The main shopping center is Wagnerplein, while there's also the Verdiplein in Stokhasselt. The one at the Tartinistraat became defunct.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=4 November 2011 |title=Tartinistraat Tilburg-Noord in 2013 op schop |url=http://bd.nl/nieuws/tilburg-stad/tartinistraat-tilburg-noord-in-2013-op-schop-1.122327 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722032918/http://bd.nl/nieuws/tilburg-stad/tartinistraat-tilburg-noord-in-2013-op-schop-1.122327 |archive-date=22 July 2012 |access-date= |website=[[Brabants Dagblad]]}}</ref> Before the district was built, it was mainly an agricultural area attached to a few villages, including Heikant, which is still the name of the biggest neighbourhood. Heikant's former village square, including the old church, is still present. The northernmost part of the district is still agricultural with some forests. In this agricultural area, the blessed [[Peter Donders]] was born; there still stands a chapel and a procession park.

=== Oost ===
[[File:Map - NL - Tilburg - Wijk 05 Oost.svg|thumb|64px|Location of Tilburg-Oost]]

Tilburg-oost consists of primarily industrial development. Residential neighbourhoods are in a small strip east of the Ringbaan Oost rather than the whole district, however, it is not considered as a part of the city center. The district only has 748 inhabitants.


=== Zuid ===
[[File:Map - NL - Tilburg - Wijk 06 Zuid.svg|thumb|64px|Location of Tilburg-Zuid]]

Tilburg-Zuid is located between the A58 motorway and the Ringbaan Zuid, and is the southernmost district. Tilburg-zuid has 19,149 inhabitants. The district contains two neighbourhoods and many businesses. The [[Association football|football]] club [[Willem II (football club)|Willem II]] is located within the district, as well as [[IJssportcentrum Tilburg]] next to the [[speed skating rink]], the Ireen Wüst IJsbaan, which is located here. The main campus of [[Fontys University of Applied Sciences]] is located in this district, as well as St. Elisabeth hospital and Leijpark, one of the largest public parks in the city.

=== West ===
[[File:Map - NL - Tilburg - Wijk 03 West.svg|thumb|64px|Location Tilburg-West]]

Tilburg-west was mostly built after WWII, and has 26,655 inhabitants. The district with its neighbourhoods consists mostly of small brick houses and apartment buildings, except for Zorgvlied, which contains more expensive, free-standing houses. The Westermarkt is the largest shopping center out of the inner city. Many higher educational buildings are standing here, like [[Tilburg University]] and [[Avans]] Hogeschool. Another place of many schools is along the Reitse Hoevenstraat with multiple secondary schools such as: Jozefmavo and Theresialyceum. The district is connected by train with the [[Tilburg Universiteit railway station]], Previously known as "Tilburg West station" and has one of the two hospitals in Tilburg ({{Interlanguage link multi|TweeSteden ziekenhuis|nl}}). The largest mosque of Tilburg, the Turkish Süleymaniye-Mosque built in 2001, stands in the southeastern corner of the district. West is surrounded by forests like ''Wandelbos'' and the ''Oude Warande'', located west of the university.

=== Reeshof ===
[[File:Map - NL - Tilburg - Wijk 08 Reeshof.svg|thumb|64px|Location of the Reeshof]]

{{See also|Reeshof}}
The Reeshof is the westernmost district and the most recent expansion of the city of Tilburg proper. and has a population of 42,994 inhabitants. Because of this, the Reeshof became the largest district of Tilburg by population. The first houses were completed in 1980, in the neighbourhood Gesworen Hoek. {{As of|2012}}, the last neighbourhood (Koolhoven Buiten) is under construction. The district is connected by the [[Tilburg Reeshof railway station]] and multiple roads that encircle the district plus the industrial development Vossenberg north of the Wilhelmina Canal. The [[Donge (river)|Donge]] runs through the district, including greenspace with some [[Highland cattle]] grazing between the fences protecting the surrounding neighbourhoods. This small-scale nature project is called the Dongevallei,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dongevallei.nl/ |title=Dongevallei-Site in Dutch |publisher=Dongevallei.nl |access-date=24 June 2014}}</ref> which literally means Donge Valley in English.

=== Villages of Berkel-Enschot, Biezenmortel, and Udenhout ===
{{See also|Berkel-Enschot|Biezenmortel|Udenhout}}

== Demographics ==
=== Ethnic makeup ===
The population of Tilburg was 222,601 on 1 July 2021. According to the Tilburg city council, the city will reach a population of 217,000 by 2025. Of these, 23.3% (47,964 people) are of foreign descent.<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.tilburg.nl/stad/ep/channelView.do?channelId=-8206&displayPage=%2Fep%2Fchannel%2Ftl_channel_default_program.jsp&pageTypeId=8537 "Tilburg in cijfers,"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607203438/http://www.tilburg.nl/stad/ep/channelView.do?channelId=-8206&displayPage=%2Fep%2Fchannel%2Ftl_channel_default_program.jsp&pageTypeId=8537 |date=7 June 2011 }} Gemeente Tilburg (May 2011)</ref> People are classified as being of foreign descent when they were born outside of the Netherlands, or when at least one of their parents was born outside of the Netherlands.

=== Inhabitants by origin ===
{| class="wikitable"
!2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=CBS Statline |url=https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/37713/table |access-date=8 February 2023 |website=opendata.cbs.nl |language=nl}}</ref>
!Numbers
!%
|-
!Dutch natives
|'''156,496'''
|71.2
|-
!Western migration background
|'''26,889'''
|12.2
|-
!Non-Western migration background
|'''36,404'''
|16.5
|-
|[[Turkey]]
|8,236
|3.74
|-
|[[Morocco]]
|6,223
|2.83
|-
|[[Netherlands Antilles]] and [[Aruba]]
|5,017
|2.28
|-
|[[Indonesia]]
|4,611
|2.09
|-
|[[Suriname]]
|3,457
|1.57
|-
|Total
|219,789
|100%
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+City of Tilburg population by country of origin (2025)<ref>{{Cite web |title=CBS StatLine – Bevolking; leeftijd, herkomstgroepering, geslacht en regio, 1 januari |url=http://statline.cbs.nl/Statweb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=37713&D1=0-8&D2=0&D3=1-2,6-55&D4=603&D5=l&HDR=T,G4&STB=G1,G3,G2&VW=T |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630224048/http://statline.cbs.nl/Statweb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=37713&D1=0-8&D2=0&D3=1-2,6-55&D4=603&D5=l&HDR=T,G4&STB=G1,G3,G2&VW=T |archive-date=30 June 2017 |access-date=30 August 2015}}</ref>
|-
! Country/territory || Population
|-
|{{flagicon|NED}} Netherlands || style="text-align:right;"|153,004
|-
|{{flagicon|TUR}} Turkey || style="text-align:right;"|8,881 
|-
|{{flagicon|POL}} Poland || style="text-align:right;"|8,632
|-
|{{flagicon|MAR}} Morocco || style="text-align:right;"|6,428
|-
| {{flagicon|NED}} Dutch Caribbean || style="text-align:right;"| 5,714
|-
|{{flagicon|IDN}} Indonesia || style="text-align:right;"|4,454
|-
|{{flagicon|SUR}} Suriname || style="text-align:right;"|3,544
|-
|{{flagicon|GER}} Germany || style="text-align:right;"|3,164
|-
|{{flagicon|USSR}} Soviet Union || style="text-align:right;"|2,926
|-
|{{flagicon|BEL}} Belgium || style="text-align:right;"|2,808
|-
|{{flagicon|SYR}} Syria || style="text-align:right;"|2,212
|-
|{{flagicon|SOM}} Somalia || style="text-align:right;"|2,043
|-
|{{flagicon|ROM}} Romania || style="text-align:right;"|1,889
|}

===Religion and life stances===

The Tilburg agglomeration has the following religious makeup as of 2003:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/ |title=CBS Statline |website=opendata.cbs.nl}}</ref>
* [[Roman Catholic]] (60.7%)
* [[Atheism]] (21.7%)
* [[Dutch Reformed Church|Dutch Reformed]] (7.8%)
* [[Islam]] (4.8%)
* [[Reformed Churches|Reformed]] (4.4%)

==Geography==

===Climate===
Tilburg experiences an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfb'') similar to almost all of the Netherlands. Thunderstorms occur in Western Brabant more often than anywhere else in the Netherlands, up to 31 days a year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.vwkweb.nl/cms/index.php?id=339&option=com_content&task=view |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061002005158/http://www.vwkweb.nl/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=339 |url-status=dead |title=Where thunderstorms occur |archive-date=2 October 2006}}</ref>

{{Weather box|location = Gilze-Rijen, 1981–2010 normals
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Y
|collapsed =
| Jan record high C = 15.2
| Feb record high C = 18.2
| Mar record high C = 24.7
| Apr record high C = 29.1
| May record high C = 33.2
| Jun record high C = 34.7
| Jul record high C = 36.8
| Aug record high C = 35.8
| Sep record high C = 33.1
| Oct record high C = 27.2
| Nov record high C = 19.7
| Dec record high C = 15.9
| Jan high C = 5.8
| Feb high C = 6.6
| Mar high C = 10.4
| Apr high C = 14.4
| May high C = 18.4
| Jun high C = 20.9
| Jul high C = 23.2
| Aug high C = 23.0
| Sep high C = 19.4
| Oct high C = 14.9
| Nov high C = 9.7
| Dec high C = 6.2
| Jan mean C = 3.1
| Feb mean C = 3.4
| Mar mean C = 6.4
| Apr mean C = 9.3
| May mean C = 13.3
| Jun mean C = 15.8
| Jul mean C = 18.1
| Aug mean C = 17.6
| Sep mean C = 14.5
| Oct mean C = 10.8
| Nov mean C = 6.6
| Dec mean C = 3.6
| year mean C = 10,28
| Jan low C = 0.0
| Feb low C = -0.2
| Mar low C = 2.1
| Apr low C = 3.8
| May low C = 7.6
| Jun low C = 10.3
| Jul low C = 12.7
| Aug low C = 12.2
| Sep low C = 9.9
| Oct low C = 6.7
| Nov low C = 3.3
| Dec low C = 0.8
|Jan humidity = 88
|Feb humidity = 84
|Mar humidity = 81
|Apr humidity = 75
|May humidity = 74
|Jun humidity = 75
|Jul humidity = 76
|Aug humidity = 77
|Sep humidity = 82
|Oct humidity = 86
|Nov humidity = 89
|Dec humidity = 90
|year humidity = 82
| Jan record low C = -19.3
| Feb record low C = -20.2
| Mar record low C = -14.2
| Apr record low C = -7.3
| May record low C = -2.3
| Jun record low C = 1.5
| Jul record low C = 3.9
| Aug record low C = 3.9
| Sep record low C = 0.0
| Oct record low C = -6.7
| Nov record low C = -10.8
| Dec record low C = -17.0
|precipitation colour= green
| Jan precipitation mm = 70.0
| Feb precipitation mm = 57.2
| Mar precipitation mm = 64.1
| Apr precipitation mm = 46.0
| May precipitation mm = 61.2
| Jun precipitation mm = 65.8
| Jul precipitation mm = 75.6
| Aug precipitation mm = 66.0
| Sep precipitation mm = 72.4
| Oct precipitation mm = 75.0
| Nov precipitation mm = 76.1
| Dec precipitation mm = 75.8
|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
|unit snow days = 0.1&nbsp;cm
| Jan precipitation days = 17
| Feb precipitation days = 14
| Mar precipitation days = 17
| Apr precipitation days = 13
| May precipitation days = 14
| Jun precipitation days = 14
| Jul precipitation days = 14
| Aug precipitation days = 13
| Sep precipitation days = 14
| Oct precipitation days = 16
| Nov precipitation days = 18
| Dec precipitation days = 18
| Jan snow days = 6
| Feb snow days = 6
| Mar snow days = 4
| Apr snow days = 2
| May snow days = 0
| Jun snow days = 0
| Jul snow days = 0
| Aug snow days = 0
| Sep snow days = 0
| Oct snow days = 0
| Nov snow days = 2
| Dec snow days = 5
| Jan sun = 63.1
| Feb sun = 84.5
| Mar sun = 119.1
| Apr sun = 171.7
| May sun = 203.8
| Jun sun = 195.5
| Jul sun = 205.9
| Aug sun = 190.2
| Sep sun = 142.0
| Oct sun = 113.4
| Nov sun = 64.2
| Dec sun = 50.1
| source 1 = [[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute|KNMI]]<ref name="knmi_data" >{{cite web |url=http://www.klimaatatlas.nl/tabel/stationsdata/klimtab_8110_350.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.klimaatatlas.nl/tabel/stationsdata/klimtab_8110_350.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=Gilze-Rijen, langjarige gemiddelden, tijdvak 1981-2010 |language=nl |trans-title=Gilze-Rijen, long time averages, 1981-2010 |work=Klimaatatlas |publisher=[[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute|KNMI]] |access-date=18 March 2013}}</ref>
}}

==Economy==
The economy was concentrated on [[wool]] industry for centuries, however, since the 1960s, Tilburg has made more progress in having different kinds of industries, supported by the government to save the city from poverty after the decline of wool industry. Chemical company [[International Flavors & Fragrances|IFF]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iff.com/careers/locations-by-region.aspx |title=Map of IFF locations, including the one in Tilburg |publisher=Iff.com |access-date=24 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905205155/http://www.iff.com/careers/locations-by-region.aspx |archive-date=5 September 2014}}</ref> has a factory in Tilburg. In the 1980s, the Japanese company [[Fujifilm]] came to Tilburg.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fujifilmtilburg.nl/EN/content/80-0-901/contact.htm |title=Fujifilm Tilburg |publisher=Fujifilmtilburg.nl |date=29 July 2013 |access-date=24 June 2014}}</ref> Insurance companies like [[Interpolis]] and CZ are headquartered in Tilburg, as well. [[Iris Ohyama]] has its European offices in Tilburg.<ref>[http://www.iriseurope.com/contact.php?language=E&page=contact Contact] {{webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100422195202/http://www.iriseurope.com/contact.php?language=E&page=contact |date=22 April 2010 }} - 7 November 2010. "Iris Ohyama Europe B.V. Gesworenhoekseweg 1 5047 TM Tilburg – The Netherlands."</ref> Since 2013, the electric car-producing company [[Tesla, Inc.|Tesla]] operates their [[Tesla facilities in Tilburg|main EU facility]] for assembly and distribution in Europe in the industrial area of Vossenberg north of the suburb "De Reeshof" in Tilburg.<ref name="ayre-20130901">{{cite news |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2013/09/01/tesla-hits-europe-new-assembly-plant-in-holland-the-netherlands/ |title=Tesla Hits Europe — New Assembly Plant In Holland, The Netherlands |work=[[CleanTechnica]] |first=James |last=Ayre |date=1 September 2013 |access-date=23 September 2018 |quote=18,900 m<sup>2</sup> assembly plant will now receive nearly complete Model S units shipped over from the US for final assembly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220120019/https://cleantechnica.com/2013/09/01/tesla-hits-europe-new-assembly-plant-in-holland-the-netherlands/ |archive-date=20 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Tilburg has a high concentration of transportation/distribution industries, specializing in value added logistics and services, due to being the geographical center of the [[Benelux]] countries and being located on the transport corridor between Antwerp / Rotterdam and the Ruhr area. The 'Waalwijk-Tilburg' region has been in the logistics hotspots top 3 within the Netherlands for years now and finished third in 2017.<ref>[http://www.logistiek.nl/warehousing/nieuws/2017/5/west-brabant-logistieke-hotspot-nr-1-101155467 Logistiek.nl] - 11 May 2017. "West-Brabant Logistieke Hotspot nr. 1"</ref>

==Education==

===Tilburg University===
{{See also|Tilburg University}}

Higher education is of significant importance, with [[Tilburg University]] attracting scholars from all over the world. It has a student population of about 13,000 students, about 8 per cent of whom are international students. With well-facilitated Library, museums and city center with many pubs and cafes,<ref>[http://www.tilburguniversity.edu/about-tilburg-university/ "About Tilburg University,"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104170533/http://www.tilburguniversity.edu/about-tilburg-university/ |date=4 January 2012 }} Tilburg University website</ref> this percentage has steadily increased over the past years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uvt.nl/universiteit/profiel_missie/jaarverslagen/2006/bijlage2.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.uvt.nl/universiteit/profiel_missie/jaarverslagen/2006/bijlage2.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=Annual report of Tilburg University of 2007, p. 51 |publisher=Uvt.nl |access-date=24 June 2014}}</ref> TiU offers both Dutch-taught and English-taught programmes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bachelor's programs Tilburg University {{!}} Tilburg University |url=https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/education/bachelors-programs |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=www.tilburguniversity.edu |language=en}}</ref>

The institution has gained a reputation in both research and education. In the field of economics, the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration ranked No. 1 in Europe for the second consecutive time in 2007 according to the Journal of the European Economic Association with regard to publications in top journals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.core.ucl.ac.be/econometrics/Bauwens/Rankings/EuropeanRanking.pdf |title=Ranking Economics Departments in Europe: A statistical approach |access-date=17 May 2023 |author1=Michel Lubrano |author2=Luc Bauwens |author3=Alan Kirman |author4=Camelia Protopopescu |date=May 2003 |lang=en |website=www.core.ucl.ac.be |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205220834/http://www.core.ucl.ac.be/econometrics/Bauwens/Rankings/EuropeanRanking.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2012}}</ref> In 2007 the Executive MBA program at the university's TiasNimbas Business School ranked # 11 in the world according to the ''Financial Times''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rankings.ft.com/emba-rankings |title=FT.com / Business Education / EMBA rankings |publisher=Rankings.ft.com |date=3 June 2014 |access-date=24 June 2014 |archive-date=29 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229061100/http://rankings.ft.com/emba-rankings |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Fontys School of Fine and Performing Arts===
{{See also|Fontys School of Fine and Performing Arts}}

Tilburg is also the location of the [[Fontys School of Fine and Performing Arts]] (Dutch: ''Fontys Hogeschool voor de Kunsten'' - ''FHK''), part of the [[Fontys University of Applied Sciences|Fontys Hogescholen]]. The School originated from the merging of various educational institutions that had existed in different capacity in Tilburg before being united under the Fontys group, such as the Brabants Conservatorium, one of the nine [[music schools|conservatoires]] in the Netherlands, and the Academie voor Beeldende Vorming.

Fontys School of Arts offers various [[Bachelor's degree|bachelor]] and [[Master's degree|master]] programmes in English and in Dutch, across different fields in music, visual arts, dance, theatre and performing arts.

This institution is based in a building known as 'Kunstkluster', located in the centre of the city next to the Schouwburg and incorporating a Concert Hall.

==Culture and recreation==
Tilburg is a pilot city of the [[Council of Europe]] and the EU Intercultural Cities programme.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

===Beverages===
[[Schrobbelèr]] is a local liqueur. It has an alcoholic percentage of 21.5%, slightly lower than most [[bitters]] and has a relatively sweet flavour. The drink is sold in a stone jar and is drunk cold from its own glass, a high and tiny chalice glass, larger than a [[Jägermeister]] glass.<ref>[http://lokalespecialiteiten.nl/nl/noord-brabant/tilburg/15-schrobbeler-tilburg Schrobbelèr Tilburg] Information about Schrobbelèr</ref> The drink originated in 1973 when Tilburgian entrepreneur Jan Wassing started experimenting with a drink with lower [[alcohol (drug)|alcohol]]ic percentage that was appropriate for his stomach. The result was successful. The drink is distilled now at Loven industrial area in Tilburg by the [[Eindhoven]] company Schrobbeler Ltd, without the è on the last vowel. The drink is especially consumed at [[Carnival in the Netherlands|Carnival]]. The name is derived from the profession of 'Schrobbelaar', in the textile industry in Tilburg. The profession was unskilled and had a low wage.

Another known drink from Tilburg is Peerke's Nat, which has a higher alcoholic percentage than Schrobbelèr (25%) and was introduced at the [[beatification]] of [[Peter Donders]] (locally named Peerke). The drink is sold in bottles of 70 centiliters.

The [[De Koningshoeven Brewery|Koningshoeven Brewery]] brews [[trappist beer]]. It was founded in 1884 at [[Koningshoeven Abbey]].

===Open air art===
[[File:Tilburg beeld Willem.jpg|thumb|The statue of [[William II of the Netherlands|Willem II]]]]
[[File:Slavernijmonument in Tilburg.jpg|thumb|[[Slavernijmonument (Tilburg)|Slavery memorial]] in Tilburg]]
[[File:Stolperstein Bertram Polak Tilburg.JPG|thumb|A [[Stolperstein]] in Tilburg]]
Tilburg's open air art is mostly supported by KORT (Kunst in Open Ruimte Tilburg, Dutch for Art in Open Space Tilburg).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kunstbuitenbinnentilburg.nl |title=Website of KORT (Dutch) |publisher=Kunstbuitenbinnentilburg.nl |date=26 March 2014 |access-date=24 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402081942/https://www.kunstbuitenbinnentilburg.nl/ |archive-date=2 April 2012}}</ref> One example is the turning house on the Hasseltrotonde, a roundabout, was erected in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kunstbuitenbinnentilburg.nl/content/draaiend-huis/ |title=About the turning house on the roundabout in Tilburg (Dutch) |publisher=Kunstbuitenbinnentilburg.nl |access-date=24 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113121902/https://www.kunstbuitenbinnentilburg.nl/content/draaiend-huis/ |archive-date=13 January 2015}}</ref>

Besides being responsible for newer, modern art, KORT also gives information about older works of art, like the Willem II statue on the Heuvel.

===Festival city, music===
The city of Tilburg hosts many festivals, such as [[Incubate (festival)|Incubate]], ''Festival Mundial'' (world culture), Stranger Than Paranoia (jazz), Tilburg Students Festival, and [[Roadburn Festival]]. ''013'' is a modern pop-centre. Paradox is a club for experimental jazz and improvised music. Fontys University of Applied Sciences started a pop academy in the beginning of the 21st century, and students often perform on local stages.

===Museums===
Tilburg has a renowned museum of contemporary art, [[De Pont Museum of Contemporary Art|De Pont]], which houses works from artists such as [[Ai Weiwei]], [[Anish Kapoor]] and [[Richard Serra]]. The museum, which opened in 1992, is housed in a former wool mill, an important piece of Tilburg's history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=about us - Museum De Pont |url=https://depont.nl/en/about-us |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=depont.nl}}</ref> Anish Kapoor's artwork '''Skymirror''<nowiki/>' is displayed on the square in front of the museum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=artist - Museum De Pont |url=https://depont.nl/en/collection/artist/anish-kapoor/sky-mirror-for-hendrik/info |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=depont.nl}}</ref> Also in the field of contemporary arts is the [[SEA Foundation Tilburg]], an internationally oriented art foundation, exhibition space and artist residence for artists, writers and curators.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SEA Foundation Tilburg - artist in residence {{!}} exhibition space |url=https://www.seafoundation.eu/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=SEA Foundation Netherlands |language=en-US}}</ref> Tilburg also hosts a significant [[Textile Museum (Tilburg)|textile museum]], offering not only a historical view in its former factory, but also a laboratory for design, production and development of textile as a material. It opened in 1958.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Everything related to textiles - textielmuseum.nl - TextielMuseum |url=https://www.textielmuseum.nl/en/about-the-textielmuseum |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=www.textielmuseum.nl |language=en}}</ref>

There is also the ''Natuurmuseum Brabant'' (Brabant Museum of Nature), dedicated to natural history. Originally named the Natural History Museum of Tilburg (''Natuurhistorisch Museum Tilburg),'' the museum was established in 1935. The museum was originally housed in the former intendant residence of King Willem II, but moved in 1985 to its current location, a former technical school near the railway station.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History: Natuurmuseum Brabant |url=https://www.natuurmuseumbrabant.nl/en/about-us/history |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=www.natuurmuseumbrabant.nl}}</ref> The collection consists of a large variety of stuffed animals, animals kept in formaldehyde, dried plants, stones, minerals, fossils and archaeological artfacts.

The Museum Scryption was a former museum in Tilburg with the main theme 'written communication'. It closed in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scryption |url=https://www.cryptomuseum.com/links/scryption/index.htm |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=www.cryptomuseum.com}}</ref>

==== Tilburg City Museum ====
The Tilburg City Museum (''Stadsmuseum Tilburg)'' does not have a fixed location. It manages the city's heritage collection and creates exhibitions at diverse venues. For example, the Peerke Donders Pavilion and Vincent's Drawing Room.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frequently asked questions |url=https://stadsmuseumtilburg.nl/frequently-asked-questions/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=Stadsmuseum Tilburg |language=nl}}</ref>
* Vincent's drawing room: In Vincent's Drawing Room you will find a museum room where the authentic room of [[Vincent van Gogh]] has been recreated and a modern drawing room with drawing computers. Vincent van Gogh lived and studied several years in Tilburg. The house where he lived can't be visited. The square where the house is located has been redesigned in the Van Gogh style.
* Peerke Donders Pavilion: A museum for charity, in honor of [[Peter Donders|Petrus Donders]]
The collection that ''Stadsmuseum Tilburg'' manages is part of Tilburg City Collection. In addition, it manages the Memory of Tilburg with more than 4400 stories.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frequently asked questions |url=https://stadsmuseumtilburg.nl/frequently-asked-questions/ |access-date=2026-01-09 |website=Stadsmuseum Tilburg |language=nl}}</ref>

===Parks and Forests===
Parks and forests provide inhabitants from the Tilburg area with recreation. The ''Leijpark'' and ''Reeshofpark'' are the largest parks. Leijpark was famous for [[Festival Mundial]] and lies next to St. Elisabeth hospital and a monastery, the Cenakel. Reeshofpark was created in the late 1990s, including some restaurants opened in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bd.nl/nieuws/tilburg-stad/de-ijsspecialist-opent-als-eerste-aan-reeshofpark-1.104611 |title=News about the opening of restaurants near Reeshofpark (Dutch, 2011-08-08) |publisher=bd.nl |access-date=24 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714163542/http://bd.nl/nieuws/tilburg-stad/de-ijsspecialist-opent-als-eerste-aan-reeshofpark-1.104611 |archive-date=14 July 2012}}</ref> Some older parks include Wilhelminapark in Oud-Noord, are built on the square of the former herd place Veldhoven. Tilburg offers, in comparison to other top-ten cities in the Netherlands, the most forest area. In the municipality, Tilburg has the Wandelbos, a forest south of the similarly named neighbourhood in Tilburg-West, the Oude Warande, the Kaaistoep, a forest of 4.5&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, and partially, Huis Ter Heide in the northwest of Tilburg, a 6.5&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>-sized natural redevelopment area. Out of the municipality, there's a national park called [[Loonse en Drunense Duinen]] which includes dunes of drift sand from the west coast.

===Sports===
[[File:Willem II Stadion - tribunes.jpg|thumb|[[Koning Willem II Stadion]]]]
The local football team is [[Willem II (football club)|Willem II]], named in remembrance of King William II.

[[Tilburg Ten Miles]] is an annual road running competition held in Tilburg.

Students' sports like rowing and hockey are popular as well. Tilburg hosts three field hockey clubs that play in top national leagues.

Tilburg has the ice skating complex [[IJssportcentrum Tilburg]], including the [[List of indoor speed skating rinks|indoor 400&nbsp;m speed skating rink]] [[Ireen Wüst IJsbaan]]. Within the speed skating rink there's an [[ice hockey]] field. Adjacent is the ice hockey arena where [[Tilburg Trappers]] plays its home games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tilburg |first=Gemeente |title=Binnenlocaties |url=https://www.sportintilburg.nl/huren/binnenlocaties/ |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=Sport in Tilburg |language=nl}}</ref> Tilburg Trappers dominated the [[Eredivisie (ice hockey)|Eredivisie]] (Dutch Premier League) for years before moving to the [[Oberliga (ice hockey)|Oberliga]], the third tier of ice hockey in Germany.

In 2024 [[bandy]] was introduced, including the founding of a new club, ''Bandy Vereniging Tilburg''.<ref>[https://www.omroeptilburg.nl/regio/tilburg/gloednieuwe-bandy-vereniging-tilburg-binnenkort-gratis-trainingen/ Gloednieuwe Bandy Vereniging Tilburg, binnenkort gratis trainingen]</ref> At the [[Women's Bandy World Championship]] in 2025, three players from Tilburg were part of the [[Netherlands women's national bandy team|Dutch team]].<ref>[https://www.omroeptilburg.nl/regio/tilburg/deze-tilburgers-spelen-op-het-wk-bandy-echt-wel-anders-dan-ijshockey/ Deze Tilburgers spelen op het WK bandy: ‘Echt wel anders dan ijshockey’]</ref>

=== Attractions ===
Tilburg is the closest major settlement to [[Efteling|The Efteling]], with the amusement park made famous by [[Python (Efteling)|Python]] being located only 11km away from the city centre. A small fan owned miniature attraction called [[Mini Efteling]] can be found a short distance away from the actual park. Located within the city itself is [[Zoo De Oliemeulen]], a small family run animal attraction housing over 1,000 different animals.

==Transport==
[[File:Tilburg Station.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Tilburg Railway Station]]
Tilburg has three railway stations: [[Tilburg railway station|Tilburg (Centraal)]], [[Tilburg Universiteit railway station|Tilburg Universiteit]] and [[Tilburg Reeshof railway station|Tilburg Reeshof]]. The latter was built to connect the then-latest district of Tilburg, the [[Reeshof]]. Intercity trains only stop at Tilburg (centraal). The name of Tilburg Universiteit Station was Tilburg West from its construction in 1968 to December 2010, however, after 40 years, it was not the westernmost station anymore. A fourth railway station is planned for [[Berkel-Enschot]], also in the municipality of Tilburg and getting more absorbed into Tilburg. In the past, until 1938, Berkel-Enschot had its own train station. [[Udenhout]], lying further northeast in the municipality, also had its train station until 1938. Both stations are on the [[Tilburg–Nijmegen railway|line to 's-Hertogenbosch]].

The Tilburg city and local buses are operated by [[Arriva]]. The city experimented from 2005 to 2008 with free public transport for children and 55+ people. Before Arriva, the buses were operated by Veolia, and before that by BBA (abbreviation for Brabants(ch)e Buurtspoorwegen en Autobussen). The city is also served by an hourly bus service to the Belgian city of [[Turnhout]], operated by [[De Lijn]].

Tilburg has an extensive [[Segregated cycle facilities|bicycle path]] network called '''Sternet-Routes'''. The first bicycle path of this network was built between the city center and the [[Tilburg University|university]] in 1975. From the mid-1990s, multiple bicycle paths (rather than lanes along the road) have been built. Older lanes are paved by tiles, but newer paths are largely done with asphalt paving. For this network of bicycle paths, some new tunnels were built under the railway that crosses the city.<ref>{{in lang|nl}} Hein Eikenaar [http://bd.nl/nieuws/tilburg-stad/spoor-tilburg-breda-dicht-voor-aanleg-tunnelbak-1.137849 "Spoor Tilburg-Breda dicht voor aanleg tunnelbak,"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121225427/http://bd.nl/nieuws/tilburg-stad/spoor-tilburg-breda-dicht-voor-aanleg-tunnelbak-1.137849 |date=21 January 2012 }} ''Brabants Dagblad'' (19 January 2012). (Railway closed down for placing bicycle tunnel)</ref>

Tilburg is, at variance from other Dutch cities of a similar size, connected by only one national motorway, the [[A58 motorway (Netherlands)|A58]] / [[European route E312|E312]] (to Breda and Eindhoven). An outer beltway, consisting of two provincial 2x2-roads and the A58, was finished in May 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deweekkrant.nl/artikel/2012/mei/18/burgemeester_letschertweg_open |title=Burgemeester Letschertweg open &#124; Stadsnieuws &#124; dé Weekkrant |publisher=Deweekkrant.nl |access-date=24 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322105515/http://www.deweekkrant.nl/artikel/2012/mei/18/burgemeester_letschertweg_open |archive-date=22 March 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Although the outer beltway is fully navigable, the Burgemeester Bechtweg, which was built initially as a two-lane (one per direction) road, was finished in 2013. Two other routes are of considerable importance for Tilburg: the A261/N261 to [[Waalwijk]] and the A65/N65 to [['s-Hertogenbosch]]. Neither is a complete motorway, and both experience bottlenecks. Various plans exist to build both to higher standards, with the N261 improved in 2015 to remove all traffic lights beyond Tilburg.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brabant.nl/dossiers/dossiers-op-thema/verkeer-en-vervoer/wegen/wegenprojecten-in-brabant/n261-grootschalige-ombouw-waalwijk-loon-op-zand.aspx |title=Grootschalige ombouw Waalwijk Loon op Zand |publisher=Brabant.nl/ |language=nl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724151048/https://www.brabant.nl/dossiers/dossiers-op-thema/verkeer-en-vervoer/wegen/wegenprojecten-in-brabant/n261-grootschalige-ombouw-waalwijk-loon-op-zand.aspx |archive-date=24 July 2011}}</ref>

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the Netherlands}}
Tilburg is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Changzhou]], China<ref>{{cite web |title=Sister city Changzhou brings a short but powerful visit to Tilburg |url=https://www.makeitintilburg.com/en/enough-space-for-your-ambitions/news/sister-city-changzhou-brings-a-short-but-powerful-visit-to-tilburg |publisher=Make it in Tilburg |date=19 May 2018 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=12 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912051619/https://www.makeitintilburg.com/en/enough-space-for-your-ambitions/news/sister-city-changzhou-brings-a-short-but-powerful-visit-to-tilburg |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|POL}} [[Lublin]], Poland<ref>{{cite web |title=Miasta partnerskie i zaprzyjaźnione |url=https://lublin.eu/lublin/wspolpraca-miedzynarodowa/miasta-partnerskie-i-zaprzyjaznione/3,strona.html |publisher=Lublin |language=pl |access-date=12 September 2021}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|NIC}} [[Matagalpa, Nicaragua|Matagalpa]], Nicaragua<ref>{{cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.tilburg-matagalpa.nl/ |publisher=Stedenband Tilburg-Matagalpa |language=nl |access-date=12 September 2021}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Minamiashigara, Kanagawa|Minamiashigara]], Japan<ref>{{cite web |title=Vereniging Tilburg Minami-Ashigara |url=https://www.makeitintilburg.com/en/locations/57375013/vereniging-tilburg-minami-ashigara |publisher=Make it in Tilburg |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=12 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912051617/https://www.makeitintilburg.com/en/locations/57375013/vereniging-tilburg-minami-ashigara |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|TZA}} [[Same, Tanzania|Same]], Tanzania<ref>{{cite web |title=Home |url=http://tilburgtanzania.nl/ |publisher=Stedenband Tilburg Same Tanzania |language=nl |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906191558/http://tilburgtanzania.nl/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|SRB}} [[Zemun]], Serbia
* {{flagicon|HUN}} [[Taksony]], Hungary

== Notable people from Tilburg ==
=== The arts ===
[[File:Vincent van Gogh January 1873.jpeg|140px|thumb|[[Vincent van Gogh]], 1873]]
* [[Gerard van Spaendonck]] (1746–1822) & [[Cornelis van Spaendonck]] (1756–1839), Dutch painters
* [[Joseph August Knip]] (1777–1847) & [[Henriëtte Geertruida Knip]] (1783–1842), painters
* [[Vincent van Gogh]] (1853–1890) attended the King Willem II school, where he was taught painting
* [[Ludolph Berkemeier]] (1864-1930), a Dutch landscape and cityscape painter
* [[Bernardus Weber]] (1912-1996), a Dutch sculptor, draughtsman, and pastellist
* [[Theo l' Herminez]] (1921–1997), a Dutch painter, moved from [[impressionism]] to [[Realism (arts)|realism]]
* [[Frans de Kok]] (1924–2011), a Dutch musician, conducted the winning Dutch entry to the [[1969 Eurovision Song Contest]]
* [[Theo van de Sande]] (born 1947), cinematographer<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005856/ IMDb Database] retrieved 6 February 2020</ref>
* [[Ruud Janssen]] (born 1959), a Dutch [[fluxus]] and [[mail art]]ist
* [[Leonard Retel Helmrich]] (born 1959), a Dutch cinematographer and film director<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0720503/ IMDb Database] retrieved 6 February 2020</ref>
* [[Arjen Anthony Lucassen]] (born 1960), a Dutch singer, songwriter with [[Ayreon]] and [[Star One (band)|Star One]]
* [[Marc-Marie Huijbregts]] (born 1964), a Dutch comedian, actor and TV presenter<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0401242/ IMDb Database] retrieved 8 February 2020</ref>
* [[Richard Rijnvos]] (born 1964), a Dutch composer
* [[Guus Meeuwis]] (born 1972), a Dutch singer-songwriter, attended [[Tilburg University]]
* [[Ruud Jolie]] (born 1976), the lead guitarist of the [[symphonic metal]] band [[Within Temptation]]
* Tarik Azzougarh (born 1979), stage name ''[[Cilvaringz]]'', rapper affiliated with [[Wu-Tang Clan]]
* [[Joris Oprins]] (born 1980), an animation director<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1977837/ IMDb Database] retrieved 8 February 2020</ref>
* [[Floor Jansen]] (born 1981), a Dutch singer and songwriter with symphonic metal band [[Nightwish]]
* [[Daan Janzing]] (born 1981), producer and guitarist with the Dark rock band ''[[My Favorite Scar]]''.
* [[Firebeatz]], a Dutch EDM duo consisting of Tim Benjamin Smulders (born 1985) and Jurre van Doeselaar (born 1987)
* [[Bassjackers]], a Dutch EDM duo consisting of Marlon Flohr (unknown birth year) and Ralph van Hilst (unknown birth year)
* [[Maxim Anokhin]] (born 1988), a Ukrainian-Dutch music producer and DJ, known as Limewax, who relocated to Tilburg at the age of 11

=== Public thinking & public service ===
[[File:Peerke Donders.jpg|140px|thumb|Peerke Donders, 1880s]]
* [[Peter Donders|Bl. Peerke Donders]] (1807–1887), Roman Catholic missionary, cared for the lepers of [[Batavia, Dutch East Indies|Batavia]], [[Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral, Paramaribo|Suriname]]; beatified in 1982.<ref>{{cite CE1913|wstitle= Peter Donders |volume= 5 |last= Magnier |first= John |author-link= |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Franciscus Janssens]] (1881–1950), the 76th General Abbot of the Common Observance
* [[Carl Romme]] (1896–1980), a Dutch politician and jurist
* [[Norbert Schmelzer]] (1921–2008), a Dutch politician, diplomat, economist and Minister
* [[Ernst Hirsch Ballin]] (born 1950), a retired Dutch politician and jurist, lives in Tilburg
* [[Henk Krol]] (born 1950), a Dutch journalist, publisher, entrepreneur and politician
* [[Yvonne van Rooy]] (born 1951), a retired Dutch politician, [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]], diplomat and businesswoman
* [[Roger van Boxtel]] (born 1954), a retired Dutch politician, now CEO of [[Nederlandse Spoorwegen|Dutch Railways]]

=== Science & business ===
[[File:Caroline Nevejan bij de overhandiging advies Meedoen is de Kust - Raad voor Cultuur.jpg|140px|thumb|Caroline Nevejan 2014]]
* [[Franciscus Donders]] (1818–1889), a Dutch ophthalmologist
* [[Eduard Jan Dijksterhuis]] (1892-1965), a Dutch historian of science
* [[Bart le Blanc]] (born 1946), a Dutch economist in public finance, banking and asset management
* [[Henri Termeer]] (1946–2017), a Dutch biotechnology executive and entrepreneur
* [[Jozien Bensing]] (born 1950), a Dutch clinical psychologist and academic
* [[Marc van Roosmalen]] (born 1947), [[Dutch Brazilian]] primatologist (elected as one of the "Heroes of the Planet" by [[Time magazine]] in 2000)
* [[Marijn Dekkers]] (born 1957), a former pharmaceutical businessman, CEO of [[Bayer AG]] 2010 to 2016
* [[Caroline Nevejan]] (born 1958), Chief Science Officer with the City of Amsterdam
* [[Ron Heeren]] (born 1965), professor specializing in [[mass spectrometry imaging]]
* [[Michael van Poppel]] (born 1989), the founder and President of [[BNO News]]

=== Sport ===
[[File:Anita Staps 1980b.jpg|140px|thumb|Anita Staps, 1980]]
[[File:2015-09-13 1.FFC Frankfurt vs 1.FFC Turbine Potsdam Jackie Groenen 007.jpg|140px|thumb|Jackie Groenen, 2015]]
* [[Jan Pijnenburg]] (1906–1979), track cyclist, team silver medallist at the [[1928 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Toon Becx]] (1920−2013), a Dutch footballer with 329 caps with [[Willem II (football club)|Willem II]]
* [[Toon Ebben]] (1930–2011), a Dutch equestrian, competed at the [[1976 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Toon van Helfteren]] (born 1951), a Dutch former basketball player, current coach of [[Feyenoord Basketball]] and coach of the [[Dutch national basketball team]] 2013 to 2019.
* [[Bud Brocken]] (born 1957), a Dutch former professional footballer with 512 club caps
* [[Anita Staps]] (born 1961), a retired judoka, world title holder in 1980
* [[Jean-Paul van Poppel]] (born 1962), a former Dutch racing cyclist
* [[John Lammers (footballer)|John Lammers]] (born 1963), a football manager with [[Esbjerg fB]] and former player with 433 club caps
* [[Bas Rutten]] (born 1965), a Dutch-American actor and retired mixed martial artist<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1008015/ IMDb Database] retrieved 6 February 2020</ref>
* [[Ageeth Boomgaardt]] (born 1972), a Dutch former field hockey defender, 192 international matches for the Netherlands, and team bronze and silver medallist at the Olympic Games
* [[Remy Bonjasky]] (born 1976), a Surinamese-Dutch former kickboxer
* [[Floris Evers]] (born 1983), a field hockey player, team silver medallist at the [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004]] and [[2012 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Mike van der Zanden]] (born 1987), a Dutch paraplegic swimmer, bronze medallist in the [[2004 Summer Paralympics|2004]] and [[2008 Summer Paralympics]]
* [[Margot van Geffen]] (born 1989), a field hockey player, team gold and silver medallist at the [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012]] and [[2016 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Benito van de Pas]] (born 1993) is a Dutch darts player
* [[Jackie Groenen]] (born 1994), a Dutch footballer and former judoka

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Tilburg, straatzicht2 foto2 2010-10-03 09.17.JPG|Tilburg, view at Heuvelstraat
File:Tilburg, kerk3 foto2 2010-10-03 09.20.JPG|Tilburg, Saint Denis Church, known as the: ''Heikese Kerk''
File:Tilburg Donders.jpg|Tilburg, statue of Petrus Donders
File:Tilburg textielmuseum2.jpg|Tilburg textile museum
File:Paleis-raadhuis.jpg|[[City Hall of Tilburg]], called: ''Paleis-Raadhuis''
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Netherlands}}
* [[Textures (band)|Textures]]
* [[Jewish Tilburg]]
* [[Brabantian dialect|Brabantian]]
* [[Villa Mariënhof]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links |wikt=no |commons=Tilburg |b=no |n=no |q=no |v=no |voy=Tilburg |species=no |d=no }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090629112539/http://www.tilburg.nl/english/ep/home.do?tabId=0 Official website]

<!--Please note that not all directions need to be filled-->
<!--Please note that preferably only neighboring municipalities or bodies of water should be used-->
{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Tilburg
|North     = [[Loon op Zand]], [[Heusden]]
|Northeast = [[Vught]]
|East      = [[Oisterwijk]]
|Southeast = [[Hilvarenbeek]]
|South     = [[Goirle]]
|Southwest = 
|West      = [[Gilze en Rijen]]
|Northwest = [[Dongen]]
}}

{{North Brabant Province}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Tilburg| ]]
[[Category:Cities in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Municipalities of North Brabant]]
[[Category:Populated places in North Brabant]]