Hooglandse Kerk, Gothic church in Leiden, Netherlands
Hooglandse Kerk is a Gothic church building in Leiden constructed entirely of brick, featuring a cross-shaped basilica layout that gives it its distinctive form. It sits at the point where the Old and New Rhine rivers meet, making it a significant landmark in the city's river landscape.
Construction started in 1377 to replace an older wooden chapel that had stood in the location. Over the following century, the building went through multiple phases of expansion and redesign as the city grew.
After the city switched to Protestantism in 1572, the interior was transformed significantly, with Catholic elements removed and the space adapted for reformed worship.
The building is open to visitors from May through September, offering information about its architecture and history. It is centrally located in the city and easily accessible on foot, especially when exploring the nearby river areas.
The Gothic transept of this church is among the longest of its kind in the Netherlands, giving the structure a remarkably extended form. This generosity in design was unusual for church buildings of that era.
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