Discover Gilze: Green Spaces, Culture and History

Gilze offers several distinct highlights for a stay: Mollebos is a green space in the heart of the town, while the church, war memorial and exhibition offer different ways to explore its history. There is also a weekly market on a set day and an experience route for cyclists. This lets you tailor your time in Gilze to what interests you most on a trip—from protected trees and class photos to a ride with information boards and play activities.

Green spaces in the heart of Gilze

Mollebos is a special green space in the heart of Gilze. Almost 80 trees stand in the public park; five of them are Rijksmonumenten: three horse chestnuts, a lime tree and a beech. The approximate total describes the park’s tree population, while the five protected specimens are individually identified by species. Mollebos is also a venue for small-scale cultural activities. Nature and culture are therefore two documented aspects of the same park.

Church history and war memorial

Sint-Petrus’ Bandenkerk has several distinct chapters in its history. After its destruction in 1584, the church was rebuilt by 1617. In 1944, during the war, German troops blew up the tower; it collapsed onto the nave. The church was subsequently restored and extended, and was put into use in its present form in 1952. The two rebuilding phases were far apart: the destruction in the 16th century was followed by wartime destruction and reconstruction in the 20th century. The Angelusklok, dating from 1615, originally hung in the tower of Sint Petrus Bandenkerk.

The war memorial in the cemetery in Gilze brings together the names of 88 war victims from Gilze, Rijen, Hulten and Molenschot. The most recent section was completed in 2025. The places named show that the memorial commemorates not only Gilze but also three other towns.

Exhibition on school days of the past

The exhibition “Een duik in de schooltijd van vroeger” (“A dive into school days of the past”) features more than 300 class photos; as of 1 July 2026, the collection may continue to grow. The photographs are complemented by a reconstructed historic classroom, where visitors can write with a dip pen and ink. The exhibition thus combines viewing class photos from the past with a writing activity in a reconstructed school setting.

An announcement dated 1 July 2026 listed Sunday, 6 September, from 13:30 to 16:30 as a date, and said that thereafter the exhibition would be open to visitors on the first Sunday of every month. Before visiting, check the current dates and whether the exhibition features are still in place.

Weekly market and Fietsallee

The weekly market in Gilze takes place every Friday morning from 08:00 to 12:30 on Nieuwstraat. This gives you a specific time slot to factor into your day’s plans. Check the times before travelling.

If you would like to combine cycling with information and playful elements, the experience route along the Fietsallee passes information boards and play activities. The Fietsallee is in the woods near Gilze, Chaam and Alphen. Both the route and its activities, and the woodland area near the three towns named, are therefore relevant topics when planning a cycling trip.

Discover more destinations: Molenschot.

Go to the main travel overview: Gilze En Rijen.