Shoe and leather in The Langstraat

It is no coincidence that De Langstraat is the cradle of shoemakers and tanners. Nature had a hand in this. Cows supplied the leather. The Donge and Loint rivers provided clean running water and the oak trees on the barren land provided oak bark. That's all it took to tan leather. Farmers in the area looked for income during the winter months to support their families. They were cheap laborers who made shoes and other products from that leather. With that, De Langstraat grew into the center of the shoe and leather industry in the early 19th century. In many places in De Langstraat you come across gems from the past, such as villas of shoe manufacturers and tannery complexes, for example Van Haren in Waalwijk. Want to know more about leather? Then visit the Schoenenkwartier in Waalwijk, walk the route Wet Blue in Waalwijk or bike the "Bicycle and Leather Routes" and the Halvezolenpad. And also take a look at the many beautiful leather products made in small studios in De Langstraat.

Bicycle & LEDER routes
Bicycle & LEDER routes

Get on your bike and pedal the LEDER routes through the leather and footwear area of De Langstraat. The routes through Dongen, Loon op Zand, Kaatsheuvel, Waalwijk and Drunen lead visitors past bag makers, leather repairers, tanners and the New Shoes Museum, among others. There is a western and an eastern route.

Cycle the routes
Schoenenkwartier
Schoenenkwartier

Discover the history and future of shoes and leather at Schoenenkwartier. Located in the west wing of the restored Kropholler complex in Waalwijk, in the heart of the Langstraat. A must for lovers of shoes, design, architecture, art and culture! The Schoenenkwartier rests on three pillars: the Make Labs, the Knowledge Center and the Museum.

Visit the site
The Moerputten Bridge
The Moerputten Bridge

The industrial revolution brought about the construction of the Halve Zolen railroad, named after the leather products transported via the single railroad line, which ran from 's-Hertogenbosch to Lage Zwaluwe. Across the swampy area between Vlijmen and 's-Hertogenbosch, the stately, iron, 600-meter-long Moerputten bridge was constructed. Now no longer trains run there, but you can take a beautiful walk.

Visit The Moerputten
Half-sole route
Half-sole route

Today, the Halve Zolen railroad serves as a bicycle path. The route of over 20 kilometers runs from Geertruidenberg to Drunen. The Halvezolenroute tells the story of De Langstraat. In addition to five impressive works of art, there are animated films and poems. The images can be viewed and listened to via the cycling and walking route app 'Brabant Vertelt'.

Walk or bike the Halvezolenroute
Wet Blue Route
Wet Blue Route

Several characteristic buildings and objects in Waalwijk, which have a link to the leather and shoe industry, light up in the color wet blue. They form a permanent route through the center of Waalwijk, creating a mix of light, stories and experiences.

Walk the Wet Blue route
The Haystack

On the Hooisteeg, between the Grotestraat and Winterdijk in Waalwijk, there are monumental workers' houses, which were built in the 19th century by order of wealthy shoe manufacturers. Shoemakers worked and lived here. In 2002, the Hooisteeg houses were thoroughly renovated. Now they are used as studios and stores. You can see artists at work here and visit exhibitions.

A center full of leather

Who says Waalwijk, says shoes and leather. In the city center you can even find four benches which are decorated with a piece of leather. Engraved on them are quotes in Waalwijk dialect.

More about these benches