Marekerk

The Marekerk is a Protestant church in Leiden, located at the Lange Mare and the Oude Vest canal. The church can be easily seen from the Oude Vest and the Burcht van Leiden by its round dome.

Marekerk
View of entrance on the Lange Mare.
52°9′43″N 4°29′26″E
LocationLange Mare, Leiden
Country Netherlands
DenominationNetherlands Protestant (PKN)
History
Founded1639
Architecture
Architect(s)Arent van ’s-Gravesande
Styleneo-classical
Years built1649
Administration
ParishLeiden (North side to Marewijk)

History
View of Leiden towards the North. The Marekerk was the tallest building on the horizon, until the Catholic church Hartebrugkerk (center) was built with a taller tower in 1836.
Church (de Marekerk) with boat in the canal

The church was designed by the city architect Arent van ’s-Gravesande in 1639–1649, who also designed the Bibliotheca Thysiana on Rapenburg 25.[1] It was opened in 1649.[1] The main entrance was designed by Jacob van Campen in 1659.[2] The organ was built by Pieter de Swart around 1560 for the choir of the Pieterskerk[2] and it was moved to the Marekerk in 1733 and enlarged by Rudolph Garrels.[2][1] It was restored in 1966 by Flentrop Orgelbouw.[2]

The carillon has a church bell by C. Wegewaert from 1647, with a diameter of 202.7 cm and it has a bell by Francois Hemony from 1663 with a diameter of 98.6 cm.[2] The mechanical clock in the tower is by B. Eijsbouts in 1941, an electric winding mechanism was added later.[2]

Services are held on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The church is open to visitors during Saturday afternoons in July and August and occasionally on Saturday afternoons throughout the year.[3]

See also

Other 17th century "round" churches of the Netherlands:

References
  1. Church website
  2. Rijksmonument report
  3. http://www.marekerk.nl/gebouw/open-kerk/
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