Delft, South Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Oude Kerk
⎯⎯⎯
Old Church
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 11, 2023
1. Oude Kerk / Old Church Marker
Oudste parochiekerk van Delft. Gesticht omstreeks 1200. In de loop van de 13 de tot de 16de eeuw enige malen vergroot en gemoderniseerd. Toren gebouwd tussen circa 1325 en 1350. Noorder dwarsbeuk in Brabantse gotiek ontworpen door Anthonis Keldermans, eerste kwart 16de eeuw. Thans Nederlands Hervormde kerk.
Erected by The ANWB, VVV.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1200.
Location. 52° 0.744′ N, 4° 21.337′ E. Marker is in Delft, Zuid-Holland (South Holland). It is on Oude Delft, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Oude Delft 142, Delft, Zuid-Holland 2611 HP, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Het Wapen van Savoyen / The Arms of Savoy (within shouting distance of this marker); Gemeenlandshuis van Delfland (within shouting distance of this marker);
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is located by the entrance on the south side of the church.
Also see . . . Oude Kerk (Delft) (Wikipedia).
Overview: The Oude Kerk (Old Church), nicknamed Oude Jan ("Old John") and Scheve Jan ("Skewed John"), is a Gothic Protestant church in the old city center of Delft, the Netherlands. Its most recognizable feature is a 75-meter-high brick tower that leans about two meters from the vertical.(Submitted on March 26, 2023.)
The tilt: The tower with its central spire and four corner turrets was added between 132550, and dominated the townscape for a century and a half until it was surpassed in height by the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church). During its construction the foundations were not strong enough to support the building, and the church began to lean. As work continued, the builders tried to compensate for its lean on each layer of the tower, but to this dayonly the four turrets at the top are truly vertical. It is possible that the course of the adjacent canal had to be shifted slightly to make room for the tower, leaving an unstable foundation that caused the tilt.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 11, 20232. Oude Kerk / Old Church Marker - wide view
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 11, 2023
3. Oude Kerk / Old Church - view from the south
circa 1905
4. Oude Kerk - view from the north
If the tower seems a bit off-kilter, thats because it is. The 105 meter high tower is nearly 2 meters out of true. But it has been stabilized.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 171 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 25, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
