During World Street Painting 2025, international artists will transform this rich history into spectacular 3D street art. Ten locations in the city center will become living history books you can literally step into. From the impressive Hanseatic ship on Waterstraat to the post-war reconstruction of the St. Martin’s Church – each artwork invites you to become part of Tiel’s past.
The 3D street paintings & how to step into them yourself:
- (1) Waalkade – Gregor Wosik (POL)
Tiel made world news. During excavations in Tiel-Medel (2016-2017), archaeologists discovered a 6,400-year-old village – the oldest farming village north of the major rivers. The most important find was a unique Bronze Age sanctuary (2000 BC) with three burial mounds. The largest burial mound served as a solar calendar, unique in the Netherlands. In the Flipje & Streekmuseum, you can discover all the archaeological treasures in the exhibition “World news from Tiel”. Gregor has visualised the excavation in 3D so that you can go back 4000 years in time.
Climb the wooden steps, help with the excavation, jump from pole to pole.
Want to know more about this rich history? See chapter 2 and 3 of the new Canon of Tiel.
- (2) Waalkade – Fabio Fedele (ITA)
The Sint-Maartenskerk church rises again in a visual reconstruction after the Second World War. Due to the failure of Operation Market Garden, Tiel is on the front line for seven months. The church tower, which served as a German observation post, was severely damaged by heavy shelling. Fabio brings the Maartenskerk, which has stood in Tiel since the year 900, back to life. In the WW2 Information Centre Rivierengebied of the Flipje & Streekmuseum, you will discover the untold story of seven months on the front line.
Climb the tower or help rebuild the church.
Want to know more about this rich history? See chapter 12, 39 and 40 of the new Canon of Tiel.
- (3) Kleibergsestraat – Ossama Nasr (SYR)
The oldest Dutch glass bead from the Middle East was found at the sanctuary in Tiel-Medel. It was found next to the skull of an important woman in a flat grave field that was 100 years older. Her grave was so valuable that the later Bronze Age solar calendar was aligned exactly with her grave location. This bead from present-day Iraq shows a gigantic trade network. Both the bead and part of the flat grave field are on display in the Flipje & Streekmuseum. Ossama’s work shows the value of this bead.
Jump on the beam, grab the bead and become part of this piece of history yourself.
Want to know more about this rich history? See chapter 3 of the new Canon of Tiel.
- (4) Kleibergsestraat – Maureen Kolhoff (NL)
Treasures from the soil of Tiel. Jugs, coins and charred apples from excavations form a time capsule of everyday life. The 6,000-year-old apple shows our fruit tradition, Tiel coins from the year 1000 reached England and Saint Petersburg, Rhineland pottery and Roman glass jars prove centuries of trade contacts. In the Flipje & Streekmuseum, you can see all the original finds on the fourth floor.
Dig along and discover what was hidden under the street!
Want to know more about this rich history? See chapter 5, 6 en 11 of the new Canon of Tiel.
- (5) Car Park WLP – Rianne te Kaat (NLD)
A sandwich with jam and Flipje as the filling. Rianne plays with the everyday and iconic image of Flipje. In 1935, Maatschappij De Betuwe unveiled this cheerful little raspberry man in honour of its 50th anniversary. The fruit man with a chef’s hat, conceived by advertising agency Van Alfen, was a response to growing competition. Later, Flipje became the mascot of the entire town of Tiel. You can discover his full story in the Flipje & Streekmuseum.
Spread the jam on your sandwich or balance on Flipje’s hat for the perfect photo.
Want to know more about this rich history? See chapter 36 of the new Canon van Tiel.
- (6) Agnietenhof – Canaco Matsumoto (JPN)
A blossoming fruit tree laden with apples, pears, cherries, plums and strawberries honours the Betuwe as the fruit region of the Netherlands. Our ancestors were eating wild apples as early as 6,000 years ago. The Romans were the first to cultivate apples, pears and cherries on the fertile clay soil of the Betuwe. Fruit growing became professionalised at the end of the 19th century. Since 1961, the Fruit Parade has celebrated this rich tradition. Discover how fruit growing in the Betuwe has developed into a modern industry at the Flipje and Regional Museum.
Pick your favourite fruit, take a bite from the tree or nestle under the branches — relax for a moment in 3D.
Want to know more about this rich history? See chapter 5, 36 and 42 of the new Canon of Tiel.
- (7) Ambtsmantuin – Kerim Musanovic (BIH)
The early landscape of 6,000 years ago. Imagine: a landscape full of streams that constantly change course. Can you see the plumes of smoke? Archaeologists have found traces of a 6,400-year-old village here – proof that people in the Netherlands were living entirely from agriculture 700 years earlier than previously thought. These first farmers settled on high, wooded banks, kept livestock and grew grain. The rivers provided water, fish and transport. But when the water rose around 4050 BC, they left the area. Discover how these first inhabitants lived in the Flipje & Streekmuseum.
Go back 6,000 years in time and experience the primeval landscape!
Would you like to know more about this rich history? See chapter 1 and 2 of the new Canon of Tiel.
- (8) Hoogeinde – Melina Berg (DEU)
Tiel has been battling water for centuries. Water brought prosperity through trade, but it also posed a constant threat. From dykes to pumping stations, the city continues to innovate to keep its feet dry. Melina shows how Tiel balances the opportunities and dangers of the water that has shaped the city.
Help keep the water out or hop on the ferry.
Want to know more about this rich history? See chapter 50 of the new Canon of Tiel.
- (9) Waterstraat – Ruben Poncia (MEX/NLD)
Around the year 1000, Tiel was the Rotterdam of its day! This imposing Hanseatic ship moors where the Linge river used to flow. Thanks to its favourable location on the Waal and Linge rivers, Tiel flourished as a trading centre between 925 and 1050. After the Linge silted up and was dammed, Tiel remained an important link between East and West as a Hanseatic city. There is no longer any trace of the Linge in the city, but the name “Waterstraat” still recalls this water-rich past. In the Flipje & Streekmuseum, you can discover how this small settlement grew into a powerful trading city. This imposing Hanseatic ship never moored here, but together they symbolise Tiel’s rich trading past.
Step aboard, climb onto the ship, help load the barrels and sail along.
Want to know more about this rich history? See chapter 6 and 11 of the new Canon of Tiel.
- (10) Markt – Jean Marc Navello (FRA)
Daalderop Fabriek is an icon in the Tiel tin industry and famous for its uniquely designed household items. For centuries, Tiel was the tin city of the Netherlands, where craftsmanship and design came together in beautiful household products. This floating teapot from 1956, with reflections of workers in the factory, shows the connection with the city. Jean Marc depicts Tiel’s industrial past in a dreamlike composition.
Pour the tea, hold your hands underneath or step on the pot – anything goes.
Want to know more about this rich history? See chapter 28 and 47 of the new Canon of Tiel.
Step into the story
All artworks are designed to be experienced: you can stand on them, step inside them, or feel as if you’re floating through the past. Find the perfect perspective, get your photo taken, and become part of a 3D illusion. This way, you literally come face to face with the history of Tiel – and take home a truly unique moment.
You can discover more about Tiel’s 6,000-year history at the Flipje & Regional Museum Tiel, located at Plein 48. In 2016, archaeologists were stunned by what they uncovered. During excavations in Tiel-Medel, they unearthed tens of thousands of artifacts from the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Roman times. These discoveries revealed that Tiel has been inhabited for over 6,000 years – the inspiration behind this year of celebration. Puzzle pieces that together tell an entirely new story about the earliest inhabitants of the Betuwe region. These groundbreaking finds led to a new archaeology exhibit, World News from Tiel, as well as an updated Canon of Tiel, both launched this year. The new Canon of Tiel is available at Primera, Arentsen Bookstore, and the Flipje & Regional Museum.
Come see, discover, take photos, and step into 6,000 years of Tiel’s history.
