Knillis and Dieske, two symbols for Den Bosch

Stop here for a moment.

The gate in front of you is called the Knillis gate and is named after Knillis, the meters high doll who stands on a pedestal on the market during carnaval in his traditional Oeteldonk clothing. This consists of a blue smock, white mittens and a farmer’s cap.  It’s always bustling with Prince Carnival unveiling on Sunday afternoon at eleven past five and perhaps an even larger crowd at his burial on Tuesday midnight, closing the festivities and beginning Lent.

Now walk under the arch, then stop and enjoy the scenery and listen to the story about the group of images you see in front of you.

It is an elaboration of a print by architect Alart Duhamel, an important name for Den Bosch, because he was also the architect of St. John’s Cathedral.

The group sculpture is called ‘Dieske’ and shows a man peeing, a couple in love and a jester.  According to a folk tale from the 15th century, while urinating in the Dieze, Dieske would have seen a hostile movement of ‘de Geldersen’ and sounded the alarm. The enemy withdrew and Dieske was honored by Duhamel.

Behind the group of statues that was placed in 1992, you can see one of the two water gates in Den Bosch. This is where the water entered the city and then split into the market, among other places.

Leave the water and Dieske behind and walk into the very narrow alleyway called Rozemarijnstraatje, and back to the street.