Holland - Zaltbommel - St Martin's Church
St. Martin’s church in Zaltbommel Is one of the best preserved examples of Lower Rhenish Late Gothic, an architectural style which can be found along the Rhine from Xanten in Germany downstream to Zaltbommel. The design is attributed to Gisbert Schairt who was born in Zaltbommel. Both the tower and the church were mainly built in the 15th century.
The Tower
The tower which was finished around 1500 stands out way above the trees and houses of the town and can be seen from a long distance. It consists of five segments and was originally crowned with a Gothic spire approximately 30 meters tall. The entire tower
was then 100 meters tall. It was struck by lightening in 1538, 1545 and 1546 and the church and tower were damaged. The spire was replaced by a smaller spire in Renaissance style. This spire was also destroyed by lightening in 1696. Since then the tower has had no
spire.
The Church
St. Martin’s Church has a basilica structure i.e. the nave is taller than the aisles, resulting in a clerestory. The outer wall is partially built with tuff – a volcanic stone. The choir is lower than the nave and less elaborate. The roof of the nave was for centuries graced with a small tower - a bell turret or an Angelus tower. The latter was demolished in 1799.
In a painting from 1562 you can get an idea of what the building looked like before lightening destroyed the spire. This painting can be seen in the church.
The Interior
The use of colour and the changing effects of the light determine the atmosphere in the church. Medieval paintings on the walls, vaults and pillars have been carefully restored. Most of the paintings – over 50 in number - have been painted in a very delicate manner. The scenes of the torture of St. Christopher and the legend of “the three living and the three dead kings” are unique.
The large bench for the leading citizens was constructed in about 1595 from the choir stalls, which date from 1420/1425. The original choir stalls, at that time set up in the Choir, were used as seats for the canons of the Chapter, that was connected to the church from 1303 until the Reformation (1572). The wood carvings on the panels of both sides are among the oldest and most beautiful in the country.
At the back of the church above the western entrance the visitor’s attention is drawn to the majestic Wolfferts-Heijneman organ. The organ (1783/1796) is in perfect harmony with the architecture and colour of the church building and is one of the most important organs from that time.
The fine pulpit dates from 1679. The canopy was later enlarged. The baptistery screen and the benches for the elders and deacons date from the beginning of the 17th century.
The stone font from 1534 has been damaged over time (it was once even used to mix mortar in). It can now be found in the Van Rossum chapel. The sculptured figures from the Old Testament and from the New Testament are still recognisable.
Holland - Zaltbommel - St Martin's Church
St. Martin’s church in Zaltbommel Is one of the best preserved examples of Lower Rhenish Late Gothic, an architectural style which can be found along the Rhine from Xanten in Germany downstream to Zaltbommel. The design is attributed to Gisbert Schairt who was born in Zaltbommel. Both the tower and the church were mainly built in the 15th century.
The Tower
The tower which was finished around 1500 stands out way above the trees and houses of the town and can be seen from a long distance. It consists of five segments and was originally crowned with a Gothic spire approximately 30 meters tall. The entire tower
was then 100 meters tall. It was struck by lightening in 1538, 1545 and 1546 and the church and tower were damaged. The spire was replaced by a smaller spire in Renaissance style. This spire was also destroyed by lightening in 1696. Since then the tower has had no
spire.
The Church
St. Martin’s Church has a basilica structure i.e. the nave is taller than the aisles, resulting in a clerestory. The outer wall is partially built with tuff – a volcanic stone. The choir is lower than the nave and less elaborate. The roof of the nave was for centuries graced with a small tower - a bell turret or an Angelus tower. The latter was demolished in 1799.
In a painting from 1562 you can get an idea of what the building looked like before lightening destroyed the spire. This painting can be seen in the church.
The Interior
The use of colour and the changing effects of the light determine the atmosphere in the church. Medieval paintings on the walls, vaults and pillars have been carefully restored. Most of the paintings – over 50 in number - have been painted in a very delicate manner. The scenes of the torture of St. Christopher and the legend of “the three living and the three dead kings” are unique.
The large bench for the leading citizens was constructed in about 1595 from the choir stalls, which date from 1420/1425. The original choir stalls, at that time set up in the Choir, were used as seats for the canons of the Chapter, that was connected to the church from 1303 until the Reformation (1572). The wood carvings on the panels of both sides are among the oldest and most beautiful in the country.
At the back of the church above the western entrance the visitor’s attention is drawn to the majestic Wolfferts-Heijneman organ. The organ (1783/1796) is in perfect harmony with the architecture and colour of the church building and is one of the most important organs from that time.
The fine pulpit dates from 1679. The canopy was later enlarged. The baptistery screen and the benches for the elders and deacons date from the beginning of the 17th century.
The stone font from 1534 has been damaged over time (it was once even used to mix mortar in). It can now be found in the Van Rossum chapel. The sculptured figures from the Old Testament and from the New Testament are still recognisable.