From Light-Bulb to Light-City

Old city with a modern face
Walking through the streets of Eindhoven you will see a young, modern city. But looks can be deceiving... Eindhoven is in fact one of the oldest cities in The Netherlands and has a very interesting history! It received city rights back in 1232. A lively cigar and textile industry developed along the Dommel River. In the Villa park (city centre) you can still see the imposing villas and mansions built by industrialists who settled here.

And then there was light....
The creation of the light-bulb in 1891 and the first DAF truck al little later was the beginning of the development and flourishing of the city. Since then Eindhoven has grown to become one of the most prominent cities of Europe in the fields of technology, knowledge and design.

Many top-class international high-tech companies are now located in Eindhoven. The Technical University, Fontys High Schools and the Design Academy continue to attract students from all over the world.

Changing skyline
The old city centre was heavily bombarded during the Second World War and was almost completely destroyed. New buildings rose where old once stood. Much of the city's industrial heritage was luckily been preserved; these old buildings now stand in beautiful contrast to the modern architecture appearing in Eindhoven today.

Dutch Design in Eindhoven
Eindhoven plays a very important role in the world of design. Young desingers from home and abroad come here to study at the famous Design Academy. Their final projects can be seen every year in the Graduation Gallery during Dutch Design Week in October, an international event not to be missed!