History

Oss has a long and rich history. Archaeological excavations reveal that Oss has been inhabited since at least 2,000 B.C. In 1399 Duchess Johanna of Brabant bestowed the rights and privileges of city-hood to Oss. Man-made and natural disasters over the years destroyed much of the ancient city, which was completely rebuilt after a fire in 1751, leaving little behind of the fortress city with its gateways, walls and canals.

The pride of the city of Oss is the Villa Constance. Margarine manufacturer Arnold Van der Bergh built this neo-Classic house in 1888 and named it for his daughter. From 1921 to 1974 it served as the town hall and is now the Jan Cunen Museum, named for the first archivist of Oss. In 1999 Oss celebrated its 600th anniversary as a city with community-wide activities, the minting of the ‘Ossenar’ coin, and the publication of a commemorative book.