Bergeijk brings together Rietveld architecture, designed landscapes, and a range of museum themes. For a cultural trip, it is worth exploring the individual highlights: a 13-kilometre cycling route passes Rietveld works, while museums cover design history and tobacco processing. There is also a park, art in a garden, and an animal farm for children. You can plan your visits around the subjects that interest you most.
Rietveld architecture and Ploegpark
The 13-kilometre cycling route starts at the Teutenhuis and passes the Rietveld Abri and the Rietveld street clock. The Abri is distinguished by transparent red and yellow glass surfaces and strips of translucent frosted glass. Another architectural highlight is Weverij De Ploeg: designed by Gerrit Rietveld, this transparent factory building dates from 1958 and has distinctive sawtooth roofs.
Ploegpark, also known as Landschapspark Mien Ruys, was designed by garden and landscape architect Mien Ruys and dates from the Nieuwe Bouwen period (1915 to 1960). The park has been a Rijksmonument since 2009. At the entrance stands the Rietveld Klok, a monument presented to De Ploeg by Stichting Werkgemeenschappen Bergeijk in 1963 to mark the 40th anniversary of Weverij De Ploeg. These examples draw attention to different design subjects: the factory building, the park, and individual Rietveld works along the route.
Museums, design, and art
Cultuurhuis Bergeijk is housed in the restored farmhouse section of the historic Teutenhuis on Domineestraat. This small museum in the Kempen region explores modern cultural heritage through the design icons Gerrit Rietveld and Mien Ruys. Its themes also include the colourful fabrics of Weverij De Ploeg and Martin Visser’s furniture for ’t Spectrum. This broadens the focus from architecture to textile and furniture design.
The Bloemen- en Beeldentuin features striking Corten steel sculptures by artist Harry Verhoeven. Bergeijk has also been home to the Glazen Paviljoen since November 2011: the glass artwork is diamond-shaped and particularly striking in the evening, when it glows a mysterious blue.
Museum De Sigarenmaker focuses on the history and processing of tobacco, the former craft of making cigars by hand, and the interior of an old tobacco shop. Unlike the design themes, it explores a different area of cultural history.
More ideas for your visit and getting there
For children, the Kinderboerderij offers a different focus: various animals live there all year round, and the farm is presented as an activity centre for children. The attractions also differ in format: the cycling route passes several sites associated with Rietveld, while the museums explore their own themes, from modern design to tobacco processing.
Bergeijk can be reached by car via the A67, N397, N123, and N69. To visit Museum De Sigarenmaker on the stated visiting days, you must make an appointment by phone; the museum can then only be visited by prior arrangement. Confirm this by phone before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Luyksgestel, Westerhoven.
Return to the main travel overview: Bergeijk.
