καιρός remembered

The Great St. Bavo

The Great St. Bavo Church has stood in the old centre of Haarlem, just 20 km from Amsterdam, since 1520. Initially Catholic, it was taken over by the Calvinists in 1578 with some violence and accompanying destruction.

The well-preserved Gothic building still serves as a Protestant church but is now mainly a tourist attraction. The floor consists largely of dark gravestones under which 400 historical figures are buried. It is both a church and church yard combined.

The remains of the old Catholic interior and the recently added works of art and historical objects are bathed in beautiful natural light, complemented by festive artificial lighting. They make you completely forget the Protestant austerity that followed the Iconoclastic Fury.

Photos of the week: Right aisle, and model ships hanging in the Great St. Bavo Church, Haarlem, Netherlands 2025