Sint-Jan Gouda or St. John’s Church in Netherlands is famous for its 72 stained glass windows. It is dedicated to John the Baptist, the patron Saint of Gouda. Sint-Jankerk is the longest church in the Netherlands at 123m (404 ft).
The Stained Glass Windows
Sint-Jan Gouda’s stained glass windows are unique. Almost all of them date back to the sixteenth century. No other church in the Netherlands can boast of so many well-preserved windows.
A major fire broke out in the church in 1552 and severely damaged the stained glass windows. The church administrators decided to restore the church. Three years afterwards, they placed the first stained glass window (window 15) in the choir. Renowned painters like Joachim Wtewael and Isaac van Swanenburg participated in the design work.
The brothers Dirck and Wouter Crabeth played major roles in the restoration work. Their glass atelier was in Gouda. They controlled the design and installation processes and created a total of thirteen windows.
The windows in the choir, including windows 9 to 21, depict the life of John the Baptist. He is the patron saint of Gouda and the church is named after him. Window 15 illustrates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.
Dogs often show up in the stained-glass windows of St. John’s Church due to their rich symbolic meanings in Renaissance and medieval Christian art. Depending on the scene, they represent faithfulness, spiritual vigilance and devotion.
The Consecration of the Temple by King Solomon, The Last Supper #7
Philip II, King of Spain, sponsored this exceedingly tall window. In the upper part, he equivocates his kingship with that of King Solomon who succeeded David, just as Philip succeeded Charles V. The middle part portrays The Last Supper, the meal that Jesus shared with his disciples.
The Punishment of the Temple Robber Heliodorus (1566) #8
This is a famous biblical scene illustrated in a prodigious stained-glass window (Window 8) at Sint-Janskerk. Crafted in 1565 by master glass artist Wouter Crabeth I, the window represents the divine outrage that struck a dishonest imperial official. The story comes from the deuterocanonical book of 2 Maccabees.
Elijah’s Sacrifice on Mount Carmel – The Washing of the Apostles’ Feet (1563) #23
Jesus and the Woman Taken in Adultery (1601) #28
The biblical scene of Jesus and the Woman Taken in Adultery (from John 8) at the Sint-Janskerk appears in Stained Glass Window 28. Gouda glazier Jacob Caen designed this remarkable window and completed it in the year 1601.
The central panel of Window 28 portrays the climax of the story. Here Jesus stoops to write on the ground, defying the Pharisees by challenging anyone without sin to throw the first stone at the accused.
King David and the Christian Knight is a striking 6.78m tall stained glass window (1595–1596). Created by the Dutch artist Adriaen Gerritsz de Vrije, this clerestory window emphasises a dual allegorical portrayal of the biblical King David and the Erasmus-inspired “Christian Knight”.
Architecture of Sint-Jan Gouda
The Sint-Janskerk is a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture. It holds the crown for the longest church in the Netherlands. It is well-known for its 72 beautiful stained glass windows, many of which soar over 20m in height.
Sint-Jan Gouda is a cross-shaped basilica. It features a wide, vaulted nave and tall aisles supported by strong columns. A massive marble choir screen with copper bars, dating back to 1782, separates the choir area from the nave.
Sint-Jan was Gouda’s primary church for centuries. Its floor is basically a big, sprawling cemetery. Prominent and wealthy citizens, guild masters and clergy were buried in vaults underneath the church in the Middle Ages and during the Dutch Golden Age. Many of the old stone slabs date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Some bear the markings of family coats of arms, initials and death dates.
Getting to Sint-Jan Gouda
Regular Inter City Trains connect Utrecht to Gouda. The travel time is approximately 30 min. The church is in the historic city centre, a short walk of 290m (4 min) from Gouda station.
The address of Sint-Janskerk is Achter de Kerk 2, 2801 JW Gouda, The Netherlands.
Website: https://sintjan.com/
Entry Tickets
Entry tickets sell for Euro 11 per adult. The entry fee includes an audio tour. Guided tours are available for groups by prior booking.
You do not need to purchase a ticket if you possess a Museumkaart, Rotterdampas, Vriendenloterij VIP-kaart, Groene Hart Pas, ICOM membership card, Vriendenpas Sint-Jan. Visitors below the age of eighteen are eligible for free entry.
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