Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: north holland

Drawbridge in the village of Zuiderwoude; a small settlement with about 300 inhabitants, which is located less than 10 km’s from Amsterdam. The wooden bridge, over a stream called ‘Zwet’, dates back to the Middle Ages and was restored in 1983.

The spire, called Westertoren, of the Westerkerk (Western Church) on the bank of the Prinsengracht is the highest church tower in Amsterdam with its 85 meters. The church, designed by the famous Dutch architect Hendrick de Keyser, was built between 1620 and 1631 in the Dutch Renaissance style. Older churches in Amsterdam were originally built by Roman Catholics and were converted to Protestantism during the Reformation in 1578. The Westerkerk was one of the first purposely built Protestant churches. Today the Westerkerk is the largest church in the Netherlands that was built for Protestants. Rembrandt van Rijn is buried in the Westerkerk, as are several other famous Dutch artists. Anne Frank was soothed by the chimes of the church’s clock tower while in hiding and mentioned it several times in her famous diary. Former Queen Beatrix was also married there back in 1966.

The little white Reformed Church of Den Hoorn, built in 1425, is the most photographed church of Texel. The church became its tower 25 years later, which functioned moreover, as a beacon for the shipping traffic. Even nowadays there is signal at the tower of the church.

Marken is one of the most visited tourist sights in the Netherlands. It is a former island in the so called 'Zuiderzee'. Marken is well-known for its characteristic green coloured wooden houses, pictoresque harbour and traditional costumes. The 'Wilhelminabrug' - ca. 1850 - is one of the five wooden drawbridges in Marken and is situated in the 'Kerkbuurt' (Church Area), with the Protestant Church (1904). See for more info about Marken: members.virtualtourist.com/vt/tfr/1/312/4/1ba6f2/

Flowering hyacinths between Schagerbrug and Callantsoog.

Flowering tulips between Schagerbrug and Callantsoog (nearby De Stolpen).