Koepelkerk, Church building in Leeuwarden, Netherlands.
The Koepelkerk is a church building with a five-sided floor plan topped by a central dome, blending Byzantine architecture with Art Deco details. The exterior uses natural stone blocks and wrought iron elements to create a distinctive visual effect.
Architect Tjeerd Kuipers designed this building in 1923 as his fiftieth project, bringing together influences from Berlagiaanse, Byzantine, and Art Deco movements. The structure later transitioned from a Protestant church into a cultural theater space in 2014.
The stained glass windows show symbols of the evangelists alongside dates tied to Queen Wilhelmina's reign, marking the connection between the Dutch monarchy and religious life in this region. These windows reflect how the church once served as a space where faith and national identity overlapped.
The building sits at Vredeman De Vriesstraat 24a and now operates as the Koepeltheater, a cultural venue open to visitors. Its central location within town makes it easy to reach on foot and close to other local attractions.
The building houses one of Friesland's largest organs, installed in 1935 after being moved from a church in Tilburg. This instrument replaced the original organ from 1927.
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