Martinikerk, Groningen, Netherlands

The Martinikerk (Martin's church) is the oldest church in Groningen. The church and its associated tower (the Martinitoren) are named after Saint Martin of Tours (316–397), the patron saint of the Bishopric of Utrecht to which Groningen belonged. The church was a cathedral for a short period during the first bishopric of Groningen (1559–1594).

The origins of the Martinikerk are a cruciform church built in the 13th century, which was extended in the 15th and 16th centuries. It contains several 16th century tombs and Wessel Gansfort's 18th century tomb. Much of the wall and roof paintwork has been preserved. Of particular note is a 16th-century depiction of the life of Jesus Christ.

The tower was built from 1469 till 1482, with later additions. Citizens of Groningen often refer to the tower as d'Olle Grieze (Old Grey One). The original 13th century tower was destroyed by lightning and a new tower was built in the 15th century, also destroyed by lightning.

References:

Wikipedia

constance said 8 months ago

Since I can’t be there, maybe someone would be interested in taking a video of where the Organ is situated; then kindly uploading it to YouTube, for instance.

User Reviews

Arne Janse van Rensburg (10 months ago)
Beautiful cathedral, has perhaps the finest baroque organ in the world!

Akshatha Vydula (17 months ago)
The movie up the tower is really good. Shows the history of the city. The downside is that you've to pay at the cafe backdoor to even go inside the church, let alone be the tower. Church should be open for people, without any entry payment.

Aline Eclair (19 months ago)
The church is not always open, so check before you go. Hudge place, really beautiful and i went on a day that they were playing songs and lighting candles, it was really nice!

Martin Herz (21 months ago)
An immense church with phenomenal acoustics in the center of the city. If you ever have the opportunity to experience a choral concert there, you will know what I'm talking about. Also, the organ is a beautiful match for the church. This building is one of the few that really has the power and potential to surprise, amaze, calm, and deeply move you... At least... if you're open to that sort of thing.

Kristina Thornton (2 years ago)
We went to a Sunday morning prayer service that was accompanied by a wonderful visiting choir. The service was in English and was lovely to experience in such a special place as Martinikerk. Highly recommended.

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Château de Falaise is best known as a castle, where William the Conqueror, the son of Duke Robert of Normandy, was born in about 1028. William went on to conquer England and become king and possession of the castle descended through his heirs until the 13th century when it was captured by King Philip II of France. Possession of the castle changed hands several times during the Hundred Years' War. The castle was deserted during the 17th century. Since 1840 it has been protected as a monument historique.

The castle (12th–13th century), which overlooks the town from a high crag, was formerly the seat of the Dukes of Normandy. The construction was started on the site of an earlier castle in 1123 by Henry I of England, with the 'large keep' (grand donjon). Later was added the 'small keep' (petit donjon). The tower built in the first quarter of the 12th century contained a hall, chapel, and a room for the lord, but no small rooms for a complicated household arrangement; in this way, it was similar to towers at Corfe, Norwich, and Portchester, all in England. In 1202 Arthur I, Duke of Brittany was King John of England's nephew, was imprisoned in Falaise castle's keep. According to contemporaneous chronicler Ralph of Coggeshall, John ordered two of his servants to mutilate the duke. Hugh de Burgh was in charge of guarding Arthur and refused to let him be mutilated, but to demoralise Arthur's supporters was to announce his death. The circumstances of Arthur's death are unclear, though he probably died in 1203.

In about 1207, after having conquered Normandy, Philip II Augustus ordered the building of a new cylindrical keep. It was later named the Talbot Tower (Tour Talbot) after the English commander responsible for its repair during the Hundred Years' War. It is a tall round tower, similar design to the towers built at Gisors and the medieval Louvre.Possession of the castle changed hands several times during the Hundred Years' War. The castle was deserted during the 17th century. Since 1840, Château de Falaise has been recognised as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.

A programme of restoration was carried out between 1870 and 1874. The castle suffered due to bombardment during the Second World War in the battle for the Falaise pocket in 1944, but the three keeps were unscathed.

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