Great or St. Vitus Church Naarden, Gothic church in Naarden, Netherlands
The Great or St. Vitus Church is a Gothic church in Naarden where wooden vaults stretch across the ceiling displaying biblical scenes. These painted sections cover passages from both the Old and New Testament throughout the interior.
The church was built in the 15th century and survived the Spanish invasion of 1572 when Naarden faced severe destruction. Despite these violent events, the structure endured and remains a witness to what the town experienced during this turbulent period.
Today this church serves as a stage for musical performances, with organ concerts and the Easter tradition of Matthew's Passion drawing listeners into its space. These events give the interior new life beyond its role as a place of worship.
Entry is free and informational materials in multiple languages are available at the entrance on Marktstraat 13. The church is centrally located in Naarden, making it easy to find and explore at your own pace.
The ceiling paintings were hidden under layers for many years before being rediscovered during recent restoration work. This unexpected find brought to light biblical illustrations that had been virtually forgotten.
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