Sint-Bavokerk is the name of several churches in the Netherlands that are dedicated to Saint Bavo, a 7th-century saint who converted from a sinful life to a pious one. One of the most famous Sint-Bavokerk is the Grote Kerk or St.-Bavokerk in Haarlem, a former Catholic cathedral that is now a Reformed Protestant church. It is located on the central market square (Grote Markt) and has a rich history and a magnificent organ.
If you want to visit the Sint-Bavokerk in Haarlem, you need to buy a ticket at the entrance or online. The ticket price is 5 euros for adults and 2.5 euros for children (4-12 years old). The ticket includes an audio guide and a brochure. The church is open from Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 17:00. On Sundays, the church is closed for visitors, except for the organ recitals that are often held on Sunday afternoon. The entrance is free for the organ recitals.
To get to the Sint-Bavokerk in Haarlem, you can take a train from Amsterdam Central Station to Haarlem Station, which takes about 15 minutes. From there, you can walk for about 10 minutes to the Grote Markt, where you will see the church tower. You can also take a bus from Amsterdam to Haarlem, which takes about 30 minutes. The bus stop is near the Grote Markt as well.
Some tips for visiting the Sint-Bavokerk in Haarlem are:
- Check the website (www.bavo.nl/en/) for the latest information on opening hours, events, and exhibitions.
- Book a guided tour if you want to learn more about the history and architecture of the church. The tours are available in Dutch, English, German, and French.
- Don’t miss the organ, which is one of the largest and oldest in the world. It has 5068 pipes and was played by famous composers such as Handel and Mozart.
- Enjoy the stained glass windows, which depict scenes from the Bible and the history of Haarlem.
- Explore the graves of notable people who were buried in the church, such as Frans Hals, Pieter Teyler van der Hulst, and Willem van Heythuysen.
Some tours that you can join to visit the Sint-Bavokerk in Haarlem are:
- A walking tour of Haarlem that includes the church and other highlights of the city, such as the Frans Hals Museum and the Teylers Museum.
- A bike tour of Haarlem that covers the church and the surrounding countryside, such as the tulip fields and windmills.
- A boat tour of Haarlem that passes by the church and shows you the canals and bridges of the city.
Some prohibitions that you need to follow when visiting the Sint-Bavokerk in Haarlem are:
- No smoking or drinking alcohol inside or outside the church.
- No photography or filming inside the church without permission.
- No pets allowed inside the church.
- No loud noises or disturbances during services or concerts.
- No touching or damaging any objects or artworks in the church.
Some things that you can see in or near the Sint-Bavokerk in Haarlem are:
- The statue of Laurens Janszoon Coster, who is considered to be one of the inventors of printing with movable type.
- The Vleeshal, which was once a meat market and is now an exhibition space for contemporary art.
- The De Hallen museum, which is housed in a former hospital and showcases modern and contemporary art.
- The Jopenkerk, which is a former church that has been converted into a brewery and restaurant.
