Jacobuskerk, Zeerijp

The Jacobuskerk is a late medieval church building in Zeerijp with red brick walls and white mortar joints running throughout. Inside, the space features tall vaults and two large bell towers connected by a horizontal line across the exterior.

Construction started in the late 1200s when monks from Feldwerd monastery took on the project after finishing another church nearby. The two bells were cast in the early 1500s and have continued to ring for centuries since.

The pulpit and altar from the 1600s display carved figures representing virtues that reflect the artistic skill of the period. These works show what mattered most to the community that worshipped here.

You can visit during daylight hours, and an information point inside helps explain the building's history and features. It is best to check beforehand when the door opens, as visiting hours change with the seasons.

The two bells from the 1500s were specially cast to produce different sounds for different occasions. This acoustic difference between the two tones for various funeral services reflects a thoughtful medieval approach to ceremony.