St. John’s slowly looms up in front of you. One of the best places to take a picture of the basilica is here in the alley with the special name; ‘in the peasant’s sleeve’.

During my student days I had the luxury of having this view every day, because I was allowed to live here for a short period of time in the second building on the left around the corner. I had no idea at the time what the buildings on the other side of this alley had meant to the city.

Before you walk out of the alley and turn right, stop here while I tell you what these buildings to your right have been like in the past. Afterwards you can take a look inside Huis73 or the city library.

Initially they were private residences of nobles. Well-known names from then were ‘The House of Cloetingen’ and ‘The House of Doerne’. If you go inside, you can still see parts of these houses. At the end of the 16th century, the houses were used as refuge for monks in times of war. In 1570 the houses were connected and used as an episcopal court. This remained so until the fall of Den Bosch in 1629 and the buildings were confiscated by the States General of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. It then took on a more military function and was popularly known as the commander’s house.

In 1764, the facades of the houses dating from the Middle Ages were replaced by a wide monumental facade, as you can still see today.

In 1794 the French occupiers used the building as a barracks, after which they converted it two years later into the ‘Court of Justice of Brabant’. It regained the name of commandment when the Kingdom of the Netherlands was established in 1815. In the years that followed it was still a courthouse and a Roman Catholic secondary school and in 1964 it was renamed ‘Het Jeroen Boschhuis’ and was given the function of a music school. I have personally experienced the latter, because I have taken my trumpet lessons there on many Saturday mornings.

The old courtrooms were converted into a film and lecture hall. A small-scale theater-cinema was also added under the name ‘Muzerije’. All in all, quite a history for a building that is freely accessible and where everyone can enjoy literature, art, dance, theater and music.

When you’re ready, turn right to exit the alley. You can visit Huis73 if you like.