's-Hertogenbosch, also known as Den Bosch, has a beautiful historical city centre, famous and well-known around the Netherlands, but have you ever looked underneath the city? Here you can find the river Binnendieze, 's-Hertogenbosch' biggest tourist attraction. You can sail the waterways of the Binnendieze in distinctive open-topped boat which gives you a unique insight into the history, architecture, and culture of 's-Hertogenbosch.
De Binnendieze has always been important for the city. ‘s-Hertogenbosch used to be surrounded by city walls. The centre, at the time, only consisted of the market square and some alleys. The rivers Aa, Dommel, and Dieze functioned as the city canals. Some years later, the city walls were expanded. ‘s-Hertogenbosch is now as big as the present city centre. The rivers within the city walls were named the Binnendieze. ‘s-Hertogenbosch became a city full of trade and industry. Merchants frequently used the waterways for transportation.
The river Binnendieze was also used as water supply, a place for laundry and fishing, and as a waste yard. Up until 40 years ago, the river used to be an open sewer. Due to the construction of a sewage system, the river Binnendieze almost disappeared. This was prevented in 1972, when the Binnendieze was recognized as protected city area. Only 4 kilometres, out of the original 12, remains. The water underneath the city now is one of the biggest tourist attractions of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.