Nieuwe Kerk Delft, Gothic church in Delft Market Square, Netherlands
Nieuwe Kerk Delft is a Gothic church at Delft Market Square with a tower reaching 108.75 meters (about 357 feet) that holds 18 bells and a mechanical clock. The interior displays high vaulted ceilings, stone columns, and large windows that let daylight into the nave.
Construction started in 1396 and finished in 1496, with the building later damaged by lightning and a gunpowder blast. The tower partially collapsed during the 16th century and required reconstruction.
The building serves the Dutch Reformed community and functions as the royal mausoleum where members of the House of Orange rest today. Visitors can walk among the ornate monuments and gravestones that mark the final resting places of monarchs and their families.
The building opens daily from February through October and offers shorter hours during winter months from November to January. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes because the floor can be uneven and the tower climb is steep.
Scientist Simon Stevin conducted falling object experiments from the tower in 1586 to study the motion of bodies. His work helped disprove earlier assumptions about gravity and speed.
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