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

During our walk through Roermond, we came across several mansions with beautifully decorated carriage gates in the Swalmerstraat.

The late-gothic Sint-Christoffelkathedraal (St Christopher's Cathedral) is the cathedral of the diocese of Roermond. Construction started in 1410 - designed as a basilica on a cruciform ground plan - as a parish church to replace an older church outside the city walls. In the 15th century, the church was extensively rebuilt. The choir was extended and the nave was widened from three to five naves. The building was completed in the course of the 16th century. In 1661, Sint-Christoffel became the cathedral of the diocese of Roermond, which was founded 102 years earlier. In the church, all important events of the diocese take place, such as ordinations of priests and the installation of a new bishop. Sint-Christoffelkathedraal suffered severely from war damage during the World War II. The tower was blown up by the Germans one day before the liberation and rebuilt in a modified form after the war. It was not until 1957 that the rebuilding of the church was completed. On 13 April 1992, an earthquake near Roermond caused considerable damage. The church was renovated in 2005. The church with its lavish interior is known for its colourful stained-glass windows. On the 86-metre-high tower stands the gilded statue of Saint Christopher, the patron saint of the church and the city of Roermond. The cathedral can be visited daily.

The Munsterkerk (officially Onze Lieve Vrouwe Munsterkerk ) (Munster Church of our Blessed Mother Mary) is located in the heart of Roermond and is considered being one of the most beautiful remaining examples of architecture in late Romanesque style in the Netherlands. Munsterkerk was built during the period from 1220 to 1265 as an abbey church and place of burial for its founders. For almost six centuries - until 1798 - it served as a monastery church. In the 19th century military barracks were housed in the abbey and the church became part of the barracks. The church is the only remaining part of the abbey, the rest of which was demolished in 1924. Having been an abbey church for the Cistercian order of nuns in Roermond for almost six centuries its interior is not as sumptuous as in many aother catholic churches. It also served as the sepulchral church for count Gerard III van Gelre and his wife countess Margaretha van Brabant. Their tomb still has pride of place in the Munsterkerk . The church has been mostly spared by calamites and has therefore retained much of its original character. The most far reaching restoration took place at the end of the 19th century under the supervision of the famous Dutch architect P. Cuypers. In 1992 Munsterkerk was struck by an earthquake, after which the eastern towers had to be rebuilt. The Munsterkerk is a Dutch National Monument and is one of the top 100 Dutch heritage sites.

The stadhuis (town hall), of Roermond is situated on the market square. The building has a long history, as already in 1399 there is talk of a ' raithuys ' (medieval for raadhuis = town hall). In 1554 a deliberately lit fire destroyed three quarters of the city, including the town hall. In the late 17th century the rebuilt town hall was renovated and extended with a couple rooms. From then on it served also as a meeting place for the government of the Overkwartier van Gelre (Upper Guelders). In 1876, the facade of the town hall was plastered by concrete, which was very popular in that time. The facade was further embellished by reinstatement of the old entrance door. The three dormers with the weapons van Limburg, Roermond and Gelre also dating from that time. After World War II the city and town hall were severely damaged, but again it was rebuilt. Eight years later the building had to be renovated completely as it was in a seerious state of disrepair. In 1955 the restoration of the old part of the town hall was completed. The main external change was the facade; the concrete layer was removed and the facade with its characteristic pilasters, cornices and fries was lined with tuff. (PiPs: The town hall has a tower with a carillon. This carillon was donated in 1982 by companies and private inhabitants to mark the 750th anniversary of the city of Roermond. In 1995, the chimes were supplemented by a group of moving images that revolve around the tower of the town hall every afternoon at 12.00 pm.)

The Munsterkerk , or officially Onze Lieve Vrouwe Munsterkerk (Munster Church of our Blessed Mother Mary) is located in the heart of Roermond and is considered being one of the most beautiful remaining examples of late Roman architecture in the Netherlands. Together with some other churches, the town hall and the Princenhof it reflects the glory of the city’s past. Munsterkerk was built during the period from 1220 to 1265 as an abbey church and place of burial for its founders. For almost six centuries - until 1798 - it served as a monastery. In the 19th century a military barracks was housed in the abbey and the church became part of the barracks. The church has been mostly spared by calamites and has therefore retained much of its official character. The most far reaching restoration took place at the end of the 19th century under the supervision of the famous Dutch architect P. Cuypers. In 1992 Munsterkerk was struck by an earthquake, after which the eastern towers had to be rebuilt. Having been an abbey church for the Cistercian order of nuns in Roermond for almost six centuries its interior is not as sumptuous as in many aother catholic churches. Although not that huge I was quite impressed by the sober, yet impressive interior of the church. It has some interesting and beautiful elements, a few of which I have photographed. PiP 1: interior of the Munster Church PiP 2: the church served as the sepulchral church for Duke Gerard IV van Gelre. Nine centuries later, the princely mausoleum of him and his wife Duchess Margaretha van Braqbant is one of the highlights of the church. PiP 3: above the tomb hangs a gilded wrought-iron neo-Roman chandelier, which was donated in 1899. PiP 4: the apse is the oldest part of the church. It has beautiful stained-glass windows in its uppermost section, representing several saints. They were made in 1953 by Gisèle Waterschoot van der Gracht.