Jomoud's Fotothing

My 2008 trip to Holland

DELFT
Nieuwe Kerk (The New Church)

The design of the late Gothic cruciform basilica on the Markt, on which building started in 1396, was in accordance with strict rules dictated by symbolism. The cruciform shape represents Christ, the 12 pillars in the chancel symbolize the twelve apostles, the four central columns represent the four evangelists and the sixteen pillars in the nave symbolize the sixteen prophets.The church was literally constructed around the temporary wooden church. The rather strange bulge in the walls of the east transept is attributed to a small miscalculation. The foundations came closer to the wooden church than had been anticipated.

The brick basilica was constructed in three phases. The first part to be built was the transept, against the east wall of the wooden church. The chancel and the lower part of the tower were also built during this period. The second phase of construction comprised the nave, the aisles, the roof and the lowest octagonal section of the tower. It was only in the second half of the 15th century that the chancel gallery appeared, the south aisle was extended to alongside the tower and the second octagonal part of the tower was completed and crowned with a gigantic spire ball. On 6th September 1496, exactly one hundred years after building commenced, the tower was finally ready.