Grote Kerk Breda
The 15th-century Grote or Onze Lieve Vrouwe Church is the pride of Breda. Originally Catholic but passed into reformed hands after the iconoclasm. Count Engelbrecht van Nassau commissioned the church, with its crypt for his family, to be built in the 15th century. Nine Nassaus and the first Prince of Oranje found their final resting place there.
Inside and outside
Not only the imposing architecture on the outside, but also the monuments inside the church and the vault and the murals make De Grote Kerk the most important monument of Breda. Hendrik III of Naussau, in particular, contributed a lot to this. He and his Wife Mencia de Mendoza brought the Renaissance art to Breda. Very special is the Prince’s Chapel with its gold-leafed ceiling. This is where the ancestors of our royal family are buried.
The b…
The 15th-century Grote or Onze Lieve Vrouwe Church is the pride of Breda. Originally Catholic but passed into reformed hands after the iconoclasm. Count Engelbrecht van Nassau commissioned the church, with its crypt for his family, to be built in the 15th century. Nine Nassaus and the first Prince of Oranje found their final resting place there.
Inside and outside
Not only the imposing architecture on the outside, but also the monuments inside the church and the vault and the murals make De Grote Kerk the most important monument of Breda. Hendrik III of Naussau, in particular, contributed a lot to this. He and his Wife Mencia de Mendoza brought the Renaissance art to Breda. Very special is the Prince’s Chapel with its gold-leafed ceiling. This is where the ancestors of our royal family are buried.
The biggest museum of The Netherlands
Because of its valuable art treasures, De Grote Kerk has been included in ‘The biggest Museum of The Netherlands’, an initiative of the Catharijne Convent in Utrecht. As part of ‘The biggest museum’, there is an audio tour that allows you to wander through the church yourself.
Photo quest for children
For children, Gilde de Baronie has created a photo puzzle tour. Like real searchers they can discover fun details in De Grote Kerk. Children from age 9/10 and onwards can do the tasks in the photo-adorned booklet themselves. Younger children do need some help from supervisors. Highly recommended for a first visit to this magnificent monument.
Six centuries of Nassaus and De Grote Kerk
Through ten media players, the connection of De Grote Kerk with the Nassaus is explained. The exhibition provides in-depth information about het Nassaus, the monuments and paintings that make the church interior so interesting. The choir Hallway highlights the significance the Nassaus from Breda had for architecture, the art of painting, sculpture, medieval manuscripts, tapestry art and glass painting.
Conference venue
De Grote Kerk also offers a wonderful setting for holding various types of meetings from 10 to 1000 people.
Opening times
- Every monday from 10:00 to 17:00
- Every tuesday from 10:00 to 17:00
- Every wednesday from 10:00 to 17:00
- Every thursday from 10:00 to 17:00
- Every friday from 10:00 to 17:00
- Every saturday from 10:00 to 17:00
- Every sunday from 13:00 to 17:00
