Janskerk Hoorn, Medieval church in Hoorn, Netherlands.
Janskerk is a medieval church on the island of Terschelling featuring a single-nave structure with a sturdy tower on its western side. The building displays simple, functional proportions typical of Dutch village churches from this period.
The church originated in the 13th century when a chapel was first built in 1230 and later expanded to meet community needs. Over subsequent centuries, it underwent modifications that reflected the changing requirements of island residents.
The church cemetery holds gravestones from the 17th century onward and served as a burial ground for island families across generations. These graves tell the story of people whose lives were tied to the island's history.
The church is easily accessible on foot and the interior layout is compact and straightforward to navigate. Visitors should allow time to view both the interior details and the cemetery stones outside.
Next to the church stands the last remaining Sjouw, a wooden pole with a ball system that once signaled meal and milking times to island farmers. This rare object is one of few surviving examples of its kind and offers a glimpse into daily farm life on the island.
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