City of Enschede

Enschede, also known as Eanske in the local dialect of Twents, is a municipality and a city in the Eastern Netherlands in the province of Overijssel and in the Twente region. The municipality has 156.109 inhabitants (May 31, 2009). Enschede is the largest city of Overijssel and the fourteenth city by population in the Netherlands.

Recently, Enschede has done it all just a little bit different. The city is full of ambitions and has in recent years developed into a highly dynamic, creative city with urban style. The city built literally and figuratively to the future. Thanks to the reconstruction of the Roombeek area (this neighbourhood was destroyed by a catastrophic fireworks explosion in 2000), the arrival of the Ice Rink and the National Twente Muziekkwartier, the center position of Enschede in the EUregio strengthened. Through its leading role in knowledge and innovation, and continuing to highlight this, Enschede strives to be internationally known as city of knowledge in 2020.

Enschede is a characteristic, modern and lively university town close to the border with Germany. Elegant historic buildings in the town and surrounding areas are evocative of Enschede’s rich textile past. Some of the town’s most notable monuments are the beautiful town hall, several beautiful churches and a unique synagogue. Large-scale urban renewal has given Enschede a new skyline with eye-catching, contemporary architecture. Well worth a visit is the Van Heekplein. This shopping centre gives the town a modern flair and a lively charm. Besides the familiar large department stores, a number of specialist shops have also been established around the Van Heekplein, making Enschede the ultimate shopping city of the East.

Enschede also has a lot to offer for those who enjoy culture, wining & dining and a night on the town. There’s something to suit everyone’s taste in and around the convivial Oude Markt. And Enschede definitely caters to music lovers; whether you enjoy opera or rock, jazz or Tchaikowsky - Enschede has it all.

But that’s not all: Enschede has a number of special museums that are well worth a visit. In addition, the city hosts a variety of national and international events all year round. For example the 4-day equestrian event Military Boekelo, the Enschede Marathon, and the Enschede Music Festival.

Every Tuesday and Saturday is market day on the newly modernized Van Heekplein square. On Saturday, the busiest day, there are no less than 160 market stalls, making Enschede’s goods market the largest in the Eastern Netherlands. Here you can find the widest range of products imaginable: fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and fish naturally, but also leatherware, clothes, music and Mediterranean delicacies. The stalls sell quality goods and the market is spaciously laid out. Below the market lies one of the largest underground car parks in the Netherlands, with room for 1700 cars and 1100 bicycles. This makes a visit doubly attractive!

Indeed, modern Enschede is bubbling with vitality! If you have time to spare after a visit to the town, the immediate surroundings offer some remarkable spots of natural beauty and tranquillity. Here, you’ll discover why Enschede was designated the greenest town in the Netherlands in 2003. The Aamsveen nature area is close by if you’d like a bit of peace and quiet. Other sights to see are the country houses and estates dating from the textile era, or the typical backstage landscape of Twekkelo with its mysterious salt houses.