12x things that make Enschede unique

Unique Enschede

“Enschede? Isn't that somewhere far to the east, and don't they all talk with a thick accent there?” - “What's so great about Enschede?” - “What are you doing in Enschede anyway?” These are just a few of the comments you can expect when you say you live in Enschede. Especially if you moved to Enschede from the central Netherlands and never left, like me. Enschede is fun and full of surprises. With 160,000 inhabitants, it's the largest city in the eastern Netherlands and Overijssel.

A city that buzzes with activity 365 days a year, but what makes Enschede truly unique? Read on to find out!

1. Different than usual

True beauty comes from within. This is certainly true for Enschede. We don't have a beautifully preserved city centre or dozens of centuries-old buildings, but Enschede is definitely a city built on steam and struggle.  Because when you describe Enschede, you describe the resilience of the city: in Enschede, major setbacks are overcome and crises are turned into opportunities. The city has survived, among other things, the rise and fall of the textile industry between the 18th and 20th centuries, three city fires, the global economic crisis, dozens of destructions and bombings during the Eighty Years' War and World War II, and the most recent and sensitive disaster in it's history: the fireworks disaster on May 13, 2000. Enschede is a city that always rises again, boundless resilience has made Enschede the city it is today.

Want to know more about the history of Enschede? Book a historic citywalk and let a city guide tell you everything.

2. A unique and fun city

Enschede is buzzing 365 days a year. If it's not the Dutch and German shoppers, it's the packed terraces on the most charming square in the eastern Netherlands: the Oude Markt. The Oude Markt is perhaps the epicentre of the city. As soon as the weather is nice, everyone in Enschede gathers on the terraces. A great place to enjoy delicious snacks and drinks and do some unashamed people-watching. Want to go shopping? Of course you can! Enschede has hundreds of local shops and chain stores where you can shop to your heart's content. Need a break? The city is bursting with food and drink hotspots you can visit at any time of day. Culture lovers will also find plenty to enjoy in the city. Let yourself be carried away in music and theatre, enjoy the rich museum collections, catch a movie, or be inspired by the many creative hubs. In fact, Enschede is the only city outside the Randstad with such a wide range of cultural activities. This is partly thanks to six nationally funded institutions, including an orchestra, traveling opera, youth theater, museum, art gallery, and artists' initiative. Wherever you are in the city, there's always a wide range of restaurants, events, cultural activities, and shops within easy reach.

3. Technological, innovative and creative

 Wn every conceivable field, Enschede is the place to be for technology, innovation, and creativity. Nothing is too crazy for this city when it comes to extraordinary inventions, cool projects, groundbreaking research, and global applications. Enschede is more centrally located in Europe than the Randstad, so there are plenty of opportunities here. A city full of technical talent, bright minds, and skilled hands, working 365 days a year on the world of tomorrow. In recent decades, more than 700 companies have been established in Enschede. Every year, 50 to 60 new start-ups are added to that list. Among that growing list of start-ups are also large companies, including Thuisbezorgd and Booking.com. At Kennispark Twente, the innovation campus, you will find seven world-renowned research institutes. Examples include MESA+ Nanolab, one of the most advanced nanotechnology research institutes in the world, and Space053, the drone and knowledge centre of Western Europe. The city is also bursting with creative breeding grounds, where countless innovative initiatives are created every day. Be sure to drop by and take a look at the future!

4. City of events

Enschede is a true city of events, with around 400 events organised annually in and around the city. The calendar is packed with events year-round, from cultural festivals like Kunst in het Volkspark and Museum Night to sporting events like the Enschede Marathon, the oldest marathon in the Netherlands. Enschede is also home to the world-famous event Military Boekelo-Enschede. For music lovers, we have fantastic festivals like Freshtival, Hardfest, Onder de Radar, and Tuckerville. Love good food? Throughout the year, there are wonderful gastronomic events like beer festivals and the culinary Proef Eet. During the winter months, the entire city center transforms into a winter spectacle for Winter Wonderland.

We have also organized a number of major events in Enschede in the past:

• 2010: TMF Awards
• 2012: Serious Request (the most successful edition of all)
• 2015: The Passion (The Enschede edition has the most viewers ever.)
• 2017: EK Vrouwenvoetbal, halve finale en finale, won by the Oranje Leeuwinnen
• 2019: TROS Sterren Muziekfeest op het plein

Curious about all the events in Enschede? Take a look here.

5. Plenty of peace and space in the greenest city in the Netherlands

Did you know that Enschede is the greenest city in the Netherlands? 51 percent of the city consists of green space, which is more than 221 square meters of green space per resident. Enschede even ranks 19th among the greenest cities in the world! You are never more than 15 minutes away from nature from anywhere in the city.

In Enschede, nature is always just around the corner. Throughout the city, you'll find 10 city parks; each and every one a green oasis with its own unique charm. Leaving the city center behind, you'll find beautiful estates and rural areas on the outskirts. Enjoy the lovely cycling routes through the Twente woods or savour the peace and quiet during a walk and clear your head. Wherever you go, you're surrounded by greenery.

Twente's scenic landscape is surprisingly beautiful and diverse. Get outside and be amazed. Here's where you'll find a list of all the hiking and cycling routes, nature reserves, parks, and green activities.

6. Multicultural student city

Many people don't know that Enschede is a real student city. More than 30,000 students study here at the University of Twente, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, AKI Art & Design and ArtEZ (conservatory and art academy) and ROC van Twente. The city even has more than 100 student-, cultural-, sports- and study associations. There's a large student platform for all students: Study in Enschede. In addition to the students, Enschede has approximately 160,000 residents of more than 160 different nationalities. Fun fact: almost 40% of all residents are younger than 27!

7. Twents neighborliness

Tukkers are nice and no-nonsense. Just act normal, that's crazy enough around here. Giving more than you receive is something every Twente resident recognises. Helping others is in Twente's blood; they are always willing to lend a hand without expecting anything in return. That's Twente neighbourliness. Neighbors help each other, that's just the way it is. Here, you can rely on each other.

In Enschede (and throughout Twente), people are naturally very hospitable, approachable, and open. Enschede residents are not prone to arrogance or boasting. No, here they are down-to-earth. They live with both feet firmly on the ground. Maybe they are even too modest: “Enschede is a nice, fun city,” residents often say to visitors who are unfamiliar with the city. But Enschede is truly a fantastic and fun city, and they should be proud of that. Perhaps it is because of this modesty that Enschede remains a virtually undiscovered city for many Dutch people...

8. Most beautiful synagogue in Western Europe

The synagogue in Enschede belongs in the same category as Utrecht Cathedral and the Basilica of Our Lady in Maastricht. It is one of thirteen iconic churches that together form the largest museum in the Netherlands. Symbolic mosaics, swirling ironwork, and beautiful decorations make the synagogue in Enschede the most beautiful synagogue in Western Europe. The building was constructed in 1928 to a design by Dutch architect Karel de Bazel. A highlight is the large shul with its nine-meter-high dome and enormous bronze chandelier. The most unique thing about the synagogue? Almost the entire interior, with all its precious items, survived World War II intact.

Interested in visiting? Look here for more information.

9. Germany around the corner

Enschede is the largest Dutch city directly on the German border. Therefore, Enschede is also known as the most German city in the country. However, our city's location so close to the border offers enormous opportunities. Not just for employment, but also for leisure. On Saturdays, more than 30% of all visitors to Enschede come from Germany. Germans love to come to Enschede to shop and visit the large Saturday market (the largest in the eastern Netherlands). Conversely, locals also cross the border to do our shopping or enjoy a day out, for example in Münster or one of the other border towns. For all German visitors, there is a comprehensive German website where you can find everything the city has to offer.

10. Twentse dialect

When you think of Twente, many people think of the charming Twente dialect, which shouldn't be compared to Achterhoek dialect! Everyone knows the beautiful long "O" when people from Twente have to pronounce the words "cola" or "Hengelo." Twente dialect is spoken throughout the region, but there's no single dialect. Words can vary from city to city. Yet, everyone manages to understand each other!

Because it's so much fun to understand and speak "een klean betken Twente":

• Eanske - Enschede
• Mooi da'j d'r bint - Warm welcome
• Dat is onmeunig lekker - That is very tasty
• Ik ben niet goed te pas - I don't feel well
• Oeps, ik heb gesopt - Oops, I spilled
• Joa joa - I'm not convinced yet.
• Kieken wat 't wordt - It's all going to be allright
• Je moet aanmaken - You have to hurry up
• Mijn handen pikken - My hands are sticky
• Sloffe chips en koekjes - the chips and cookies are old
• Kraamschudden (of beter Kroamschudd'n) - Go on a maternity visit
• Kats - Totally, completely or entirely
• Otto - Bin

Want to hear even more words or phrases? Then come to Enschede! You'll hear them yourself.

11. Did you also know that:

• Enschede used to have canals? The inner canal ran through Stadsgravenstraat and the outer canal through Noorder- and Zuiderhagen.
• WIFI was invented in Enschede?
• You couldn't have eaten fries with Joppiesaus without Annie's snack bar in Glanerbrug (Municipality of Enschede)?
• Enschede is the city where soccer started in the Netherlands?
• Enschede's nickname is Krekkelstad, named after the krekkel biscuit that was frequently made here?
• The parks in the city were laid out by textile manufacturers, especially for all the workers in the city?
• Enschede was named the best Large Cycling Municipality in the Netherlands in 2020?
• You can walk over the remains of an old city gate in Marktstraat?
• Enschede has several local breweries, such as Stanislaus Brewskovitch and Brouwerij Eanske?
• There are more than 30 secrets hidden in the city? You can find them all on our blog!
• The Alpha Tower in Enschede is the tallest building in Enschede and Overijssel at 101 meters?
• You can learn about the history of Enschede here?
• Münster (Germany) and Palo Alto (USA) are sister cities of Enschede?