Grafkelder van de Friesche Nassau's

The Grafkelder van de Friesche Nassau's is an underground burial complex located beneath the choir of the Grote of Jacobijnerkerk in Leeuwarden. The space contains multiple chambers with stone walls that once held coffins of family members.

The first chamber was established in 1591 and served for over a century as the burial place for the area's governors. It suffered major damage in 1795 during a period of upheaval in the region.

The vault shows how local people honored their ruling family by creating a special space beneath the church. This underground chamber represented local power and continuity in the region.

The exterior of the Grote of Jacobijnerkerk is open to visitors daily, but to see the interior and burial chambers you need to arrange a visit in advance. Contact local heritage organizations to schedule access and learn about visiting conditions.

After water problems damaged an extension in 1696, authorities chose to place later coffins on raised platforms above ground instead of digging deeper chambers. This unusual solution turned out to work well for preserving the remains.

Location: Leeuwarden

GPS coordinates: 53.20389,5.79722

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:21