Graftombe van de heren van IJsselstein, Medieval tomb monument in IJsselstein, Netherlands.
The Graftombe van de heren van IJsselstein is a stone monument located in Sint-Nicolaaskerk church, displaying four life-sized figures of nobles arranged side by side with their hands folded in prayer. The tomb was carved from Namur stone and measures approximately four meters long by two and a half meters wide.
The monument dates to the 14th century and was created to honor four influential nobles from regional families: Gijsbrecht van Amstel, Bertha van Heukelom, Arnold van IJsselstein, and Maria van Avesnes. These individuals held significant positions within the region during medieval times.
The sculptures display medieval craftsmanship with intricate details, where lions rest at the men's feet and dogs at the women's feet. These animal figures carried symbolic meaning in how nobles wanted to be remembered.
The monument sits in the choir area of Sint-Nicolaaskerk church, where it is clearly displayed and easy to view. Take your time when visiting to examine the fine details of the carved stonework up close.
This monument ranks among only two in Western Europe that depict two married couples side by side, the other being in Chaloché Abbey. The depiction of two married couples together makes this a rare example in medieval burial art.
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