Oude Kerk, Gothic church in Delft, Netherlands
Oude Kerk is a Gothic church in Delft that stands about 75 meters tall and sits alongside the Oude Delft canal with red brick walls and pointed arches throughout its design. The building contains stained glass windows and architectural details from different periods, with the bell tower visibly leaning to one side.
Construction began in 1240 and the building received its dedication to Saint Bartholomew in 1246. Foundation issues emerged during later expansions, leaving the bell tower permanently tilted.
The church serves as a burial place for important Dutch figures and remains central to how locals and visitors understand Delft's role in art and maritime history. Its interior reflects centuries of spiritual and civic importance for the city.
The interior is open during daytime hours for visitors wanting to see the windows and architectural features up close. Walking around the exterior allows you to view the leaning tower from different vantage points around the canal.
The permanent tilt of the bell tower came from ground settling during construction rather than any intentional design choice. This tilt has become one of Delft's most distinctive visual features.
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