Knowledge Center (in Schoenenkwartier)

Waalwijk, in the south of the Netherlands in North Brabant, is known as the shoe capital of the country, and the Schoenenkwartier is the district that carries that heritage into the present. For much of the twentieth century the town and its surroundings were home to a dense cluster of leather tanneries, shoe factories and suppliers, and the industry shaped both the economy and the social life of the area. The Knowledge Center in the Schoenenkwartier is part of an effort to preserve that story and to connect it with new ideas in design, materials and manufacturing.

The centre is best described as a mix of museum and workshop. Exhibitions and interactive displays introduce the history of shoes, the tools of the traditional shoemaker and the techniques used in leather working, and they also look forward to what comes next, from sustainable materials to new production technologies. A shoe is a surprisingly complex object, made of dozens of parts and shaped around a wooden last, and seeing how it is put together is one of the pleasures of a visit. Hands-on elements encourage visitors to touch and try things, which makes it a good stop for families and school groups.

The district around it is a creative hub. Maaklabs, a maker space located in the Schoenenkwartier, offers tools and workshops where designers, students and hobbyists can build prototypes, and the surrounding buildings are being used for studios, small companies and cultural projects. Workshops and events are held on a regular basis for both enthusiasts and professionals, so the programme changes through the year, and it is worth checking what is on before you go.

Waalwijk has other things to see nearby. Theater De Leest takes its name from the shoemaker's last, the wooden form around which a shoe is built, a nod to the town's heritage, and the church of Sint Jan de Doper, Saint John the Baptist, is among the landmarks of the centre. The wider area, including the Loonse en Drunense Duinen, one of the largest areas of drifting sand in the country, is close for walks and cycling.

The Knowledge Center suits design students, craft enthusiasts, families and anyone interested in industrial history. Opening hours vary during the week and at weekends, so confirm them in advance, and allow about an hour for the visit, or longer if you join a workshop.