Enschede is a university city in Twente, the eastern corner of the Netherlands, about two hours by train from Amsterdam. It is the largest city in the region and has a youthful energy driven by the University of Twente and Saxion University of Applied Sciences.
The Oude Markt is the centre of social life — packed with terraces in summer and busy with bars and restaurants at night. From there, shopping streets radiate outward around the Grote Kerk. The Rijksmuseum Twenthe has a solid collection of Dutch paintings.
On 13 May 2000, a fireworks storage facility in the residential neighbourhood of Roombeek exploded, killing 23 people and destroying hundreds of homes. The rebuilt neighbourhood is notable for its modern architecture and a memorial park.