Churches in Leiden

Leiden has many historical churches from different periods. Here is an introduction. A full description will follow later.

The Pieterskerk stands in the heart of the Pietersskwartier, of which it used to be the parish church. It was built in a late gothical style. Its 130 metres high tower collapsed in the 16th century. After the reformation it became a protestant church. The building is famous because it was used for more than a year by the Pilgrim Fathers, who lived around the church. From here, they set sail for America. Now, the Pieterskerk has a multifunctional purpose. It is used by the University for ceremonies and exams, and also for concerts and flee markets.

          

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                                               Marekerk

One of the first churches to be built for protestant ceremonies in the Netherlands is the Marechurch. It was designed by the city architect, Arent van 's-Gravezande. He made an octagional design, thus placing the vickar with his word of God in the centre instead of the altar, that was banned out of churches by the calvinists. The building is a fine example of dutch classicism.