Grote- of Martinikerk
The old St. Martin's Church in Bolsward was built around 1100 as a Romanesque tuff church on the Oldehooff. The construction of the Martini Church in Bolsward began in 1450. After that, several construction phases were carried out. This resulted in a three-aisled pseudo-basilica built in Gothic style with a five-sided closed choir. The tower is enclosed by the two side aisles. The masonry of the side aisles consists largely of monastery bricks below the windows and of smaller bricks above. The walls of the choir are made of tuff. The walls are provided with buttresses all around. The last part of the tower, the saddle roof, was installed at the end of the 17th century. Four bells hang in the 52-metre high tower. The oldest was made in 1533. The oldest known main organ was built in 1539. This instrument was sold in 1777 and replaced by a new organ, which was completed in 1781. It was built by Albertus Anthoni Hinsz. Restorations took place in 1953 and 2003. The pulpit, with its beautiful wood carvings, was made in 1662.
