Hooglandse Kerk (Highland Church), Leiden
The Highland Church of Leiden has two histories; the Catholic and the post-Calvinist period. In 1314, the bishop of Utrecht, Gwijde of Avesnes, authorized the building of a wooden chapel on the "High Land" at the confluence of the Old Rhine and the New Rhine. The chapel was dedicated to Saint Pancras, martyred at the age of fourteen, around 300 AD.
In 1377 a stone church was built to replace the wooden one. Parts of the 14th-century church can still be found in the modern structure. In 1470 Pope Paul II exempted Saint Pancras from the jurisdiction of the diocese of Utrecht.
Construction of a new church began. The ambulatory, transept, and choir were completed by 1500. The nave, vaults, bows, and balustrades were unfinished. The nave is perceptibly lower than the transept and choir.
The church had 24 altars, stained glass windows, frescoes, and statues. On or about 1525 AD, things changed forever with the Calvinist Reformation. In waves of violent iconoclasm, Churches were vandalized and looted. Saint Pancras came under the control of the Dutch Reformed Church. It was now known as the Highland Church.
Stripped and whitewashed, with plain glass windows and no altars, the new Highland Church was positively Minimalist. The exterior keeps the past features. There is a high Gothic choir and transept and a low nave. The partially wooden bell tower is short.
The Highland Church holds services. It is also a venue for conferences, concerts, and events.
In 1377 a stone church was built to replace the wooden one. Parts of the 14th-century church can still be found in the modern structure. In 1470 Pope Paul II exempted Saint Pancras from the jurisdiction of the diocese of Utrecht.
Construction of a new church began. The ambulatory, transept, and choir were completed by 1500. The nave, vaults, bows, and balustrades were unfinished. The nave is perceptibly lower than the transept and choir.
The church had 24 altars, stained glass windows, frescoes, and statues. On or about 1525 AD, things changed forever with the Calvinist Reformation. In waves of violent iconoclasm, Churches were vandalized and looted. Saint Pancras came under the control of the Dutch Reformed Church. It was now known as the Highland Church.
Stripped and whitewashed, with plain glass windows and no altars, the new Highland Church was positively Minimalist. The exterior keeps the past features. There is a high Gothic choir and transept and a low nave. The partially wooden bell tower is short.
The Highland Church holds services. It is also a venue for conferences, concerts, and events.
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Hooglandse Kerk (Highland Church) on Map
Sight Name: Hooglandse Kerk (Highland Church)
Sight Location: Leiden, Netherlands (See walking tours in Leiden)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Leiden, Netherlands (See walking tours in Leiden)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Leiden, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Leiden
Creating your own self-guided walk in Leiden is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Leiden Introduction Walking Tour
In the year 860, at the confluence of the Old Rhine and the New Rhine, there was a settlement called "Leithon." This word referred to a canalized river. The name is appropriate. Leiden from its beginnings was a city of canals.
In 1060 Alewin I, landlord of Leiden, built his fortified keep, the "Burcht" ("Fort"). The village of Leiden huddled around the fortified... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
In 1060 Alewin I, landlord of Leiden, built his fortified keep, the "Burcht" ("Fort"). The village of Leiden huddled around the fortified... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
In the Footsteps of Young Rembrandt
Once a thriving hub for trade and textile manufacturing, and a home to Holland's oldest university, Leiden also made history as the birthplace of Rembrandt van Rijn, one of the greatest visual artists of the mankind, renowned for his ingenious use of light and shadow, and life-like portraits. The Golden Age of the Netherlands can still be felt in Leiden, especially if you follow in the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles