Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: Ootmarsum

Ootmarsum has a long history. Around 770 one of the first churches in the region Twente was built here and in the year of 1000 Ootmarsum was one of the largest parishes. Ootmarsum received city rights in 1325. The town was then converted into a fortress with ditches and earthworks. In the 16th century Ootmarsum was occupied by the Spanish during the Eighty Years War, but in 1597 was captured by Maurits, Prince of Orange. Nowadays it is a popular tourist destination; well known for its meandering streets and narrow alleyways lined with historical buildings like the H.H. Simon en Judaskerk and former town hall . Nowadays the center of Ootmarsum offers lifestyle shops and a lot of galleries. Ootmarsum was a separate municipality until 2001, when it became a part of Dinkelland.

One of the most prominent buildings in Ootmarsum is the (former) town hall with its beautifully decorated facade and with the town coat of arms above the entrance. The town hall was built in 1778 on the same site where the Huys der Stadt had also stood since 1564. The new town hall was designed by architect Egbert Schrader. It became a town hall without a turret. A copper weather vane was put on the ridge of the roof. Only much later - in 1839 - was a turret put on the town hall. Ootmarsum was a separate municipality until 2001, when it became a part of Dinkelland. Two years later, the town hall was sold by the new municipality. The building then had various functions, but as a national monument it will always remain in Ootmarsum.

The H.H. Simon en Judaskerk (H.H. Simon and Jude Church) is a Roman Catholic, dedicated to the Apostles Simon and Jude Thaddaeus. The church is the only example in Westphalian Romanogothic style in The Netherlands. Although already mentioned in 1162, it largely dates from the 13th century. During my visits to Ootmarsum, I had seen the church several times. This time I was also able to take a look at the interior. It made an overwhelming impression from the moment I stepped inside. Due to a concert about to start, it was very busy with people in the church and taking (good) photos was almost impossible. Hence just a few pictures of the interior/the beautiful main altar in the choir.

The H.H. Simon en Judaskerk (H.H. Simon and Jude Church) is a Roman Catholic, dedicated to the Apostles Simon and Jude Thaddaeus. The church is the only example in Westphalian Romanogothic style in The Netherlands. Although already mentioned in 1162, it largely dates from the 13th century. In 1491-1492 a new late-Gothic choir was added, followed by a second transept east of the old one. Except for one window above the south portal, all windows have been enlarged. The entire church is built of Bentheimer stone. From 1626 until 1809 the church was used by the Protestants. In that year King Lodewijk assigned the church building to Roman Catholics, as the Protestant congregation was much smaller. When it was returned to the Catholics, it was in a bad state. The original Romanesque tower was replaced by a new facade and a small wooden tower in 1842.