The Founding of Eindhoven

The documented history of Eindhoven began in the year 1232, when it received its city rights from Duke Hendrik I. At that time, it was a small town with about 170 houses, and it was strategically located on the trade route between the Netherlands and Liege. Other than its city rights, Eindhoven also received permission to open a weekly market, and the market attracted many villagers from nearby settlements.

Invasions and the Dutch Revolt

Towards the end of the 14th century, efforts were made to strengthen Eindhoven’s defenses, and soon, a new castle was constructed in the town. However, the fortifications were not strong enough to withstand an invasion by Gelderland troops in 1486, and the town was burned and plundered. Rebuilding works were completed in 1502, with the addition of a new castle and a more formidable rampart. Eindhoven started experiencing poverty in the following years, and it neglected its defenses. This proved costly as the town fell again to invaders in 1543.

The town’s misfortunes continued with the occurrence of a big fire in the year 1554 which destroyed about 75% of its buildings. With aid from William I of Orange, all the buildings were rebuilt in just a few years’ time. Eindhoven fell into the hands of the Spaniards during the Dutch Revolt, and the walls around the town were completely demolished. In 1629, it became a Dutch town, but it suffered further invasions by French troops.

The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution brought tremendous changes to Eindhoven, with the construction of roads, railroads, and canals. The main industrial activities of the city were the production of textile and tobacco, and the rise of lighting manufacturer Phillips contributed further to its industrial growth. To meet the growing need for housing, 5 municipalities in the region were incorporated into the Greater Eindhoven municipality.

The 20th Century

At the beginning of the 20th century, engineering and electronics became Eindhoven’s main industrial activities, and textile and tobacco manufacturing began to lose importance. During World War II, a large part of Eindhoven was destroyed by large-scale air raids, and many historic sites did not survive. After the war, extensive reconstruction works were carried out to redesign the city. High rise buildings and large residential areas were constructed, and the city became one of the most prosperous cities in the Netherlands. By the 1990s, Eindhoven had become the 5th largest city in the country, and it is presently regarded as the Dutch capital of industrial design.