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Nederland - Breda, Grote Kerk

The construction of the Grote Kerk or Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady) started in 1410 and was completed around 1540. The church - covered with natural stone - is built in the Brabantine Gothic style. This is reflected in the gables, high windows and a large number of flying buttresses, as well as many details and decorations.

The tower has a height of 97 metres and is one of the finest and richly decorated church towers in the Netherlands. Work on the tower started in 1468 and was finished 38 years later.

In the past the church was far more furnished than today. Much was destroyed during the Iconoclastic Fury in 1566 and the occupation of the church by the Protestants. During the Eighty Years' War (1568 - 1648) the church changed various times between protestant and catholic use, to become finally protestant in 1637.

The most important chapel in the church is the Prinsenkapel (PiP 2). This Prince Chapel is the old mausoleum of the House of Orange-Nassau. The chapel was built from 1520 until 1525 on orders of the Lord of Breda, Hendrik III van Nassau-Breda. Seventeen family members are buried in the chapel.

The church building is free to visit and is nowadays mainly used for concerts, courses, symposia, fairs, fashion shows, school excursions and exhibitions.

Nowadays there are about ten church services a year and also regular baptisms, weddings, memorial services and funerals. But the huge building is mainly used for concerts, courses, symposia, fairs, fashion shows, school excursions and exhibitions.
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73 comments

Ulrich John said:

HFF, Jaap ! A good weekend for you !
6 years ago

Cämmerer zu Nau said:

Eine wunderbare Innenaufnahme dieser Kirche. Danke für die erklärenden Worte dazu.
6 years ago ( translate )

John Cass said:

Wow! superb exposure, wonderful PiP - Very interesting info Jaap - HFF and a nice weekend my friend.
6 years ago

Erhard Bernstein said:

Wow, very impressive! Have a great weekend!
6 years ago ( translate )

Schussentäler said:

eine wunderschöne Kirche
6 years ago ( translate )

Annemarie said:

great interior shot

Happy weekend:)
6 years ago ( translate )

Maria W. said:

Mirakle!!! Bonan semajnfinon Jaap:)))
6 years ago ( translate )

Zulma said:

Fancy shot Jaap!!
Impressive PIP!
Happy WE my friend.
6 years ago

Roger (Grisly) said:

Excellent series of images Jaap,
HFF and a wonderful weekend.
6 years ago ( translate )

Peter Castell said:

A wonderful interior Jaap and great information, it's nice not to have spotlights giving very bright areas the usual problem HFF and a good weekend
6 years ago

Richard Nuttall said:

Spectacular interior which your shot brings out so well. It really is a huge space, quite a challenge to capture as nicely as this
6 years ago

Guy Bacca (guybac) said:

Belles images avec d'excellents cadrages pour montrer la beauté de cette architecture....
Bonne fin de semaine, Jaap
6 years ago ( translate )

Pat Del said:

Très impressionnante cette église, Jaap !
6 years ago ( translate )

Gerard Perin said:

belle construction
6 years ago ( translate )

Edward Bowthorpe said:

Beautiful Jaap,eddie,
6 years ago ( translate )