Hooglandse Kerk
Hooglandse Kerk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
64 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
29
Average
14
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Noraatc
Sudbury, MA34,851 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
From the architectural point of view, it is the most impressive church in Leiden. Its exterior is was heavily rebuilt in the 16th century, but the Gothic facade is still there and it is gorgeous. I was able to take a peak at the interior, but only from afar because there was an ongoing event inside the church. Definitely a gem of lovely Leiden.
Written October 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert C
Redlands, CA2,576 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
St. Pancras, known as the Hooglandse Kerk or Highland Church, is not listed as a destination on Trip Advisor in Leiden, but we visited it and I thought it was worthy of a destination, so I put it here for those interested in churches. From the Citadel of Leiden, a fortress on a small hill, it has a commanding skyline presence. It is extremely tall.
St. Pancras was built in the 14th century and in its heyday it had 24 altars dedicated to 54 different saints. In August 1566 during the "beeldenstorm" (the "statue storm"), Calvinist iconoclasts ransacked the church, destroying the furnishings, artworks and archives. In 1572, St. Pancras was converted to a Protestant Church and remains so today. It had other setbacks. In 1807 a ship loaded with blackpowder exploded in a canal and the church was badly damaged and they considered demolishing it. Then it had extensive damage again during World War II.
Of all the Protestant churches I've been to in Europe, many of them converted from Catholic churches during the Reformation, this provides the greatest contrast as to some of the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism. St. Pancras church is huge, high, has long thin windows, great internal space, yet it seems virtually devoid of art, decoration, and stained glass windows. The windows, the space, are all begging for decoration and they are ominously missing. I would love a before and after picture of it in its early glory and what it is now (not passing judgment in theological terms as I am neither Catholic or Protestant). It almost feels like a warehouse now, empty of most of its contents.
St. Pancras was built in the 14th century and in its heyday it had 24 altars dedicated to 54 different saints. In August 1566 during the "beeldenstorm" (the "statue storm"), Calvinist iconoclasts ransacked the church, destroying the furnishings, artworks and archives. In 1572, St. Pancras was converted to a Protestant Church and remains so today. It had other setbacks. In 1807 a ship loaded with blackpowder exploded in a canal and the church was badly damaged and they considered demolishing it. Then it had extensive damage again during World War II.
Of all the Protestant churches I've been to in Europe, many of them converted from Catholic churches during the Reformation, this provides the greatest contrast as to some of the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism. St. Pancras church is huge, high, has long thin windows, great internal space, yet it seems virtually devoid of art, decoration, and stained glass windows. The windows, the space, are all begging for decoration and they are ominously missing. I would love a before and after picture of it in its early glory and what it is now (not passing judgment in theological terms as I am neither Catholic or Protestant). It almost feels like a warehouse now, empty of most of its contents.
Written June 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
garfieldBelfast
belfast217 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
Impressive looking church with beautiful architecture. However, similar to other reviewers we were very disappointed that despite visiting several times over 4 days it was always closed. opening times are not available and as one of the tourist recommended sites this isnt very helpful.
Written September 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FayeInAmsterdam
Amsterdam, The Netherlands1,449 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
In this Saturday I walked around in Leiden and found this church. Beautiful architecture but closed. I heard it’s open on Sundays.
Written October 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
promodick
Leiderdorp, The Netherlands13 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
The Hooglandse kerk is no real cathedral (although in the 19th century plans to change it into one have been discussed), but it centrainly is one of the most beautiful late-medieval churches in Brabant gothic style in the Netherlands. The fact that the Reformation stopped its (re)construction makes it even more interesting, since now a series of building fases between ca. 1366 and 15230 kan be observed The light is amazingly clear inside the church, hence its nickname
Written July 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
9ozepedro99
Leiden, The Netherlands304 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
The church started as a Catholic church but during the Calvinist movement and subsequent war for independence from Spain, the Church became Calvinist and all human representations were eliminated. One can still see some of the signs in the central columns of the church. The layout is typical for the period with a cross layout.
Written July 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stonewithnomoss
Duhok, Iraq918 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
Really an amazing piece of architecture and a good visual landmark for the old streets and canals of Leiden. Leiden is an amazing place to wander. So much history, so much beauty....
Written August 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phuckoff
Leiden, The Netherlands41 contributions
Dec 2019
so that when you look into the church, through the tall, stained glass windows...the view is breathtaking...good acoustics, as well...
Written December 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Klaas S
Renkum, The Netherlands472 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
This gothic church with its high windows is a great place to visit. Experience the magnitude of the immense space and the beauty of the architecture! Often you will find concerts, debates, etc.
Written June 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
isaac m
Leiden, The Netherlands214 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
cathedral, really. stained glass windows and all...i LOVE going by this place after dark and seeing it lit from within from certain places, mostly off of nieuwstraat. it's ridiculously soul satisfying. and an incredible monument to that faith.
Written March 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hooglandse Kerk
- Hotels near Hooglandse Kerk:
- (0.03 mi) B&B Bed en Beschuit
- (0.15 mi) Steenhof Suites
- (0.09 mi) NR22 Leiden
- (0.13 mi) Pakasa
- (0.14 mi) Cty Books
- Restaurants near Hooglandse Kerk:
- (0.03 mi) The bishop
- (0.07 mi) Wielinga
- (0.08 mi) ROOS -Taste & Smile
- (0.06 mi) Bocconi
- (0.04 mi) Bar Lokaal
Hooglandse Kerk Information
Excellent Reviews | 21 |
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Very Good Reviews | 29 |
Hooglandse Kerk Photos | 118 |