For all fans: Den Bosch is getting a Bossche Bollen Museum
The best-known piece of Den Bosch’s culinary heritage? Without a doubt, the Bossche Bol. The large, sweet cream puff filled with delicious, creamy whipped cream and the purest chocolate… For many, it embodies happiness. Everyone in the Netherlands knows the Bossche Bol, and Dutch and international tourists gladly queue up for it from near and far. It’s only right that the ‘Sjekladebol’ is being honored with its own museum, don’t you think?
Bossche Bollen Museum
The Bossche Bollen Belevenis, a mini-museum beneath the town hall, will open in early April 2024. In the medieval Council Cellar beneath the town hall (designed by architect Jan Darkennis, who was also the master builder of St. John’s Cathedral), construction of the new mini-museum has secretly been underway for months. The fact that the museum is opening its doors at precisely this moment is no coincidence: next year, the Bossche Bol will celebrate its 100th anniversary.
History of the Bossche Bol
The Bossche Bol has a rich history; it was once simply a chocolate ball. Around 1845, the name chocolate ball first appeared in the archives. However, this ball was made with fruit, Swiss cream and other chocolate. In 1938, Mr. Jan de Groot came up with the fantastic pastry as we know it today. He called it the ‘Sjekladebol’, and it was the then-mayor Van Lanschot who christened it the Bossche bol, hoping to give the pastry national allure. Fast forward: he succeeded.
But wait a minute: is the story as we know it actually correct?
The Bossche Bolleke
Jules Lauwerijssen of Bakkerij Royal, who came up with the idea for a museum, says: ‘The battle over the “real” Bossche Bol is already 100 years old. And many different stories are circulating about who invented the Bossche Bol. Apparently, it has been occupying people’s minds for more than a century. That gave me the idea for a museum.’
Bossche baker Jules is known for his new ideas surrounding the traditional Bossche Bol. He previously came up with Bossche bollen in new flavors and is the inventor of the Bossche Bolleke, a Bossche Bol ice cream.
Bossche Bollen Belevenis
You’ll learn more about the real story of that wonderful ball of cream and chocolate in the mini-museum. In 7 completely different rooms, you’ll experience and taste the Bossche Bol like never before. Bossche Bollen Belevenis can be found beneath the town hall, at Markt 1a in Den Bosch, and can be visited seven days a week. A ticket costs €15.95 and includes coffee with a… yes, that’s right: Bossche Bol! On Mondays and Tuesdays, the museum can be booked exclusively for a special experience (by appointment only).
Also read:
- Here you can eat the tastiest Bossche bol in the Netherlands
- Moorkop vs Bossche Bol
- Hack: Whip your cream in half the time
