This city walk of 2.5 kilometers takes you to the 9 wonders of Oudenbosch of Roman grandeur. Start at the impressive basilica and be surprised by what Willem Hellemons still wants to show you about Oudenbosch. Discover the hidden square of Saint Louis and feel like you’re on St. Peter's Square or enjoy the greenery in the Botanical Garden Arboretum. Learn more about Oudenbosch and visit the associated museums along the route. End your walk in one of the cozy cafés and restaurants at Jan Gielenplein, the market, or Jezuïetenplein. Check out the complete route and all attractions at visitbrabant.com/9wonderen.

“A parish of my own. Yes, that would be something for me. Pleasant. Willem is the name. Willem Hellemons. I just returned from Rome, where I taught for four years in the Order of Cistercians. And yes, my heart raced from what I saw there. And the parish will be Oudenbosch. Why not? All roads eventually lead to this village. History shows that. Did you know that Napoleon even arrived here once by coach?”

32 years old and the brand-new pastor of Oudenbosch. Proud as a peacock, that’s Hellemons. Oudenbosch is familiar territory for him: his birthplace Roosendaal is just about ten kilometers southwest. In front of the mirror in his room, he puts his arms into the sleeves of his black cassock for the first time on a cold Monday morning. Carefully, he buttons up his shirt and wipes a lint off his chest. With two fingers, he straightens his distinctive white clerical collar. Then he rolls up his sleeves: work awaits!

“I’m building a new church for this village. And not just any church. No, this church will be a true copy of my beloved St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome!” Hellemons rubs his hands together. “A large dome, with a restrained neoclassical portico… yes, I can see it in my mind,” he dreams as he walks through the streets of Oudenbosch.

Oudenbosch quickly captures Hellemons' heart. He realizes that not only a church needs to be established here. More is needed. “Oudenbosch has always been a place for traders and entrepreneurs – yet the people are struggling.” As he looks around, he thinks: “This has to change.” Because he knows: this village has much more to offer. Since the St. Elisabeth flood (a major flood over six hundred years ago), Oudenbosch lies very strategically on the waterway, with an inland sea and a ferry between Dordrecht and Oudenbosch. In Hellemons' time, there are still no bridges over the large rivers. “You see: all roads lead to Oudenbosch – even by water.”

“Education and upbringing: that is what we must offer young people! That raises the entire village.” With these words, the plans for the Saint Louis and St. Anna Institute are born. “And yes,” Hellemons continues to reflect, “of course, we’ll give the architecture of this building and its associated schoolyard that typical Roman charm.”

Hellemons knows well that his plans for Catholic education in Oudenbosch are not new. About ten years before his appointment as pastor, the Jesuits already founded a Latin college here. Special detail: This Jesuit house also contains a star observatory. “It’s high time to extend this fertile ground for education to the ordinary boy and man.”

Great plans don’t just come about. Hellemons likes to take time for reflection and prayer. Sometimes he does this indoors, in the old St. Agatha Church – after all, his “own” basilica is still under construction – or in the parish house. But he also finds plenty of space for his thoughts outside. In the parish garden (now Jan Gielenplein) or in the monks’ garden of Saint Louis (now Arboretum), for example. “But I also enjoy sitting on a bench overlooking the harbor. That’s a place where I can see, smell, and even taste the entrepreneurial spirit of Oudenbosch. Look at these old facades: peat transportation, trade, fishing, sugar beet cultivation, and a brewery. The inspiration for new plans is in the air!”

Together with Hellemons, we take a step into the future. The plans for his basilica are taking shape: the start of construction is almost in sight. As a pastor, he is of course present at the festive opening of the new train station. The second train station in the Netherlands, opened due to the strategic location of Oudenbosch between Antwerp and Rotterdam. “Now the railways also lead to Oudenbosch!”

The establishment of the station is very good news. “Children from all over the country are coming to Oudenbosch now for the excellent education at Saint Louis.” The institute is growing quickly, and soon Oudenbosch will be populated by children being taught there. “The local economy benefits from this,” Hellemons notes with satisfaction. By now, there is also a girls' school, founded at the urging of Hellemons by the sisters of St. Anna. The fact that there is now a station is also used by Hellemons to position Oudenbosch as a Dutch collection point for the papal Zouaves before they go to war to defend his beloved Papal State (later Vatican City). These are the soldiers for the Pope – the heroes of Catholic life.

Hellemons could only enjoy his life’s work – full of St. Agatha and St. Barbara Basilica – for four years before he passed away. Oudenbosch now has two cemeteries for clergy: one for brothers and one for sisters. But Hellemons does not lie there. He rests in the shade of his basilica, in the old cemetery. Just as he would have wanted it. Would you like to explore Oudenbosch from Hellemons' perspective up close? Wander through the village and discover its history in nine special wonders and six fascinating gems.

Monastery Routes in Brabant

Brabant invites you to stillness and wonder. Various short and longer routes take you through the rich monastic life in Brabant of then and now. Check out all routes at visitbrabant.com/kloosterroutes.

About this Route

This hiking route was created by VisitBrabant Route Bureau. The route was laid out using the Brabant hiking junction system. Simply walk from one numbered junction to the next. Arrows show you the way between the junctions. Is there something wrong with the route signage? Let us know at visitbrabant.com/meldpunt. You can also call 0800-4050050 (free).