Galileërkerk

Galileërkerk was a church building at Tweebaksmarkt in Leeuwarden, constructed with Renaissance elements and housing a notable Van Dam organ. The interior reflected the craftsmanship of its era and displayed typical features of Protestant church design in the region.

The building originated in 1498 as a Franciscan monastery chapel and was converted to a Reformed Protestant church during the religious changes around 1580. This transformation marked the shift from Catholic to Protestant faith in the city.

The church served as a gathering place for multiple Protestant congregations in Leeuwarden and reflected the reformed traditions rooted in the Friesland region. Visitors could experience the religious diversity that shaped city life across generations.

Visitors will find only scattered remains of this former church building, as it no longer functions as a religious site. Those interested in its history can discover individual pieces like the pulpit or gravestones in nearby towns and museums.

The Van Dam organ from this church was not discarded but migrated to the Grote of Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk in Tholen, where it still plays today. Architectural fragments from the building are preserved in the Fries Museum and tell of its former grandeur.

Location: Leeuwarden

Inception: 15 century

Address: Tweebaksmarkt

GPS coordinates: 53.20181,5.80083

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:13