Oude Helenakerk, Church building in Aalten, Netherlands
Oude Helenakerk is a church building in Aalten with a late Romanesque tower made of tuff stone and small round-arched windows typical of that period. The interior is divided into three naves and contains wall paintings from the late medieval period.
A place of worship at this location originated from the time of Charlemagne, who required every community to build a church. In 1597, after the military capture of Bredevoort by Prince Maurice of Nassau, the building changed from Catholic to Protestant use.
The building served different faith communities over centuries, and you can see how this reflects in its interior design and decoration today. These layers of use have shaped how the space feels and what remains visible on its walls.
The church is located at Landstraat 22 in Aalten and is open to visitors, though you should check opening times in advance. Regular maintenance and restoration work since 1973 have kept the building in good condition for visitors to see.
The tower tapers into a distinctive narrow spire that rises sharply above the main building. This pointed shape is instantly recognizable across the flat Dutch landscape and marks the building from a distance.
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