There something about this big church towering over Haarlem’s market square. I would always look up and admire that beautiful lead covering wooden tower soaring high towards the sky.
This is the Great Church or Sint Bavo Church of Haarlem. “Grote Kerk or Sint Bavo Kerk” in Dutch. Not to be confused with another Cathedral of Saint Bavo situated on the edge of Haarlem city.
The Grote Kerk is a Protestant church and a former Catholic cathedral constructed in 1370. It is centrally located on the Grote Markt, main square in Haarlem. The church is named after Saint Bavo, the patron saint of Haarlem who died in 653.
Grote Kerk is known for its beautiful wooden ceiling interior and exterior wooden tower that reaches 78 meters into the sky. The floor of the church consists entirely of about 1500 gravestones which some dating back as far as the 15th century. The famous Dutch golden age portrait painter Frans Hals’ grave lies here since 1666.
The organ of Grote Kerk was built by an Amsterdam organ builder named Christian Mรผller and it was once the world’s largest organ upon completion in 1738. This 30 meter high organ was played by famous musicians including Mendelssohn, Hรคndel and Mozart when he was 10 years old. Can you imagine the sound of this organ coming out from 5068 pipes?
Visiting Grote Kerk is a must when you are in Haarlem. The admission price of โฌ4.00 for adult is very affordable. Every visitor will be given a leaflet available in multiple languages as a self-guided walking tour. It has a map with 18 significant references to introduce you to architectural features, fittings and furnishings. Check out the elegant old and new stained glass windows, the 15th century oldest ‘safe’ in Haarlem, the Holy Ghost Bench and more. There are many interesting features not listed on the brochure, hiding on plain sight, in every corner. Look around.
You can easily spend 30-60 minutes wandering around admiring this monumental church. Great museum shop as well!
Grote Kerk is one of the most visited attractions in Haarlem. You can’t miss that colossal church building. Look out for the small entrance glass door facing the greenish Laurens Janszoon Coster statue.
Website: http://www.bavo.nl/en/
Address: Grote Markt 22. 2011 RDย Haarlem.
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday from 10am -5pm. Opens on Sundays in the month of July and August from 12pm – 5pm with free entry.
Entrance fees: โฌ4.00 for adults, โฌ2.00 for youth age 13 – 16 years old and free for kids up to 12 years old.
Getting there:
By public transport – 10 minutes walk from Haarlem train station. Or use http://9292.nl/en to plan your public transportation routes.
By car – nearest parking is the Appelaar underground parking garage.
Note:
> From May till October the City of Haarlem organizes weekly concerts on the Christian Mรผller Organ. The concerts at the church are free of charge unless otherwise stated. Check the EVENT page on the website: http://www.bavo.nl/en/musical-events/
> Hear the two small church bells (the ‘Damiaatjes’) ringing everyday between 2100hrs – 2130hrs. Old tradition started in the 16th century as warning for the citizens that the town gates were about to be closed.
> Guided tours are available every Saturday at 1400hrs in Dutch language only. Extra guided tours at 1430hrs only available from 15 May till 1 October. The tour takes about an hour and it costs โฌ7.00 per person with admission fee included. No reservation required.
> A private guided tour in other languages (possible!) such as German, French or English for a โฌ50 minimum price. Tours to the attic, tower or general around the church can be arranged in advance.
> You can find Mozart memorabilia in the museum shop.
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