Sint-Walburgisbasiliek (Saint Walburg's Church), Arnhem
Saint Walburg's Church is renowned for being one of the oldest churches in the city. Constructed in the Gothic style, its distinctive facade is characterized by two prominent towers at the front, a feature that is relatively rare among Dutch churches. The church underwent a major reconstruction in 1855 under the direction of architect Th. Molkenboer and was re-established in 1951. Its architecture presents a striking combination of austere, massive brickwork and the elaborate details typical of the Gothic style.
The church's origins are deeply connected to the influence of the Abbey of Pr眉m in Germany, which had significant holdings in Arnhem from early times. In 1315, the chapter of Saint Walburgis from Tiel, having been expelled from their hometown, found refuge in Arnhem. Count Reinoud I of Gelre facilitated their settlement on the condition that he could stay overnight whenever he visited. The canons subsequently built Saint Walburg's Church in the 14th century, blending robust brick construction with intricate Gothic elements.
Over the centuries, Saint Walburg's Church has undergone numerous transformations. After being taken over by Protestants in 1579, it was repurposed as a military prison and arsenal. In 1808, during the reign of Louis Napoleon, the church was returned to the Roman Catholic community.
The historical significance of Saint Walburg's Church is also tied to its endurance through turbulent times, particularly during World War II. The Battle of Arnhem, one of the war's fiercest confrontations, took place near the church, marking it as a silent witness to the horrors and heroism of that era. Despite the damage suffered, the church's restoration efforts have preserved its historical essence.
The church's origins are deeply connected to the influence of the Abbey of Pr眉m in Germany, which had significant holdings in Arnhem from early times. In 1315, the chapter of Saint Walburgis from Tiel, having been expelled from their hometown, found refuge in Arnhem. Count Reinoud I of Gelre facilitated their settlement on the condition that he could stay overnight whenever he visited. The canons subsequently built Saint Walburg's Church in the 14th century, blending robust brick construction with intricate Gothic elements.
Over the centuries, Saint Walburg's Church has undergone numerous transformations. After being taken over by Protestants in 1579, it was repurposed as a military prison and arsenal. In 1808, during the reign of Louis Napoleon, the church was returned to the Roman Catholic community.
The historical significance of Saint Walburg's Church is also tied to its endurance through turbulent times, particularly during World War II. The Battle of Arnhem, one of the war's fiercest confrontations, took place near the church, marking it as a silent witness to the horrors and heroism of that era. Despite the damage suffered, the church's restoration efforts have preserved its historical essence.
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Sint-Walburgisbasiliek (Saint Walburg's Church) on Map
Sight Name: Sint-Walburgisbasiliek (Saint Walburg's Church)
Sight Location: Arnhem, Netherlands (See walking tours in Arnhem)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Arnhem, Netherlands (See walking tours in Arnhem)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Arnhem, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Arnhem
Creating your own self-guided walk in Arnhem 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.
Arnhem Downtown Walking Tour
Sitting on the banks of the Nederrijn and Sint-Jansbeek rivers in the eastern Netherlands, the city of Arnhem, nicknamed the "Green City on the Rhine," is celebrated for a blend of vibrant city life and lush tranquil greenery. Its name is thought to originate from an amalgamation of the Old German words 鈥渁rn鈥� (for "eagle") and 鈥渉eem鈥� (for "home"), thus... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles