Ever been to the Vrijthof square in Maastricht and noticed that red church tower sticking out like a sore thumb? That striking red tower is Sint Janskerk or Saint John’s Church. In the Middle Ages, Sint Janskerk was a parish church connected to Sint Servaas (English: Saint Servatius) next to…
Tag: Protestant church
Haarlem
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Frans Hals’ Grave(s)
Frans Hals was born in Antwerp, around 1582. He is the famous 17th-century Dutch portrait painter who worked, lived and spent the rest of his life here in Haarlem. Hals painted vast portraits of people smiling or laughing from all levels of society. He is known for his playful technique,…
Haarlem
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Grote Kerk or Sint Bavokerk of Haarlem
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…
Amsterdam
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Mirakelkolom
Every time I walk the street of Rokin in Amsterdam, I would get fixated on this imposing column. Just look at it! It sticks out like a sore thumbs. You have to wonder … đź“ŤRokin 72, Amsterdam. The story goes way way way back to 15 March 1345. Ysbrand Dommer…
Haarlem
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Haarlem Red Light District
UPDATED 02/05/2025 The unsuspected Haarlem Red Light District towards the end of this street at Begijnhof. It is a small cluster of operations around Waalse Kerk Haarlem or Walloon Church Haarlem. Yes, a real church! The undistinguished pink building with red lanterns hanging outside is Het Poortje, a brothel in…