The oldest mention of The Olyton dates back to 1500. Then the property was described as ”t Gasthuyseynde huis 35-37,” located in Boschstraat, just outside the first stone city gate, on the spot where the Stedelijk Museum would later rise. A small hospital stood here at the time.
The Boschstraat itself is one of Breda’s oldest streets. A devastating city fire raged here in 1534 in which De Olyton was also completely lost – only the medieval cellars have survived. In a document from 1547, mention is again made of the plot: “a house and erve dwelck two or three dwellings withten hove d’achter”. The house then bordered the house of Thomaes the apple buyer and that of Jacop Coomans the tailor.
The present building was built in 1791, as can still be seen in the richly decorated pediment. The striking brick building, with cornice, festoons and consoles, has seven bays and has been expanded and modernized several times since then. Each phase of construction left traces.
The monumental Men’s Room or Style Room at the front dates from this period of construction and features heavy oak paneling and an original fireplace from 1791. Wall paintings from another building were added to the room around 1810. One canvas contains a hole – a silent witness from World War II, when the house was seized by the German occupiers. A coach house and hayloft were added in 1812; a linseed barn and a mill in the courtyard followed two years later. Horse and cart could enter the yard through the gate.
In 1926, banker Ch. Laurijssen donated the house to the Diocese, after which a major renovation followed. All later additions were demolished. In 1976, the house was restored and the restoration of the Style Room followed in 2004. The corner cabinet is a service closet that was originally open at the back. The paneling clearly shows two types of wood: a visible indication of the two stages of development the room went through.
Today The Olyton is used as an office, including by NV Stadsherstel Breda. The Style Room now serves as an attractive meeting room.
Audiovisual tour
Take a fresh look at House ‘The Olyton’ with an audiovisual tour
Corn Tour
Enjoy a performance from the choral route (20 min) on both days.