Grote of St. Janskerk
Gouda, NL
At 123 metres, the Sint Janskerk is the longest church in the Netherlands. Little is known about the oldest building history, which began around 1280. The church has a relatively small tower with a carillon, the bells of which largely originate from the famous seventeenth-century bell foundry of the Hemony brothers. The current church building, in the form of a cruciform basilica, largely dates from before the fire of 1552. Until the Reformation of 1572, it was used as a Roman Catholic church, which can still be seen in the layout. Spread over the nave and the side aisles were at least 45 altars, belonging to the Gouda guilds and/or dedicated to saints. The choir section, separated by a monumental marble choir screen with copper bars from 1782, was only accessible to the clergy; mass was celebrated here at the main altar.