Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: gemeente Gooise Meren

The Grote Kerk is a late-Gothic cross basilica, located in Naarden Vesting , one of the most beautiful fortresses in the Netherlands. Prior to the Protestant Reformation it was named St. Vitus Kerk . The tower with an eight-sided spire - 73 meters high - is the oldest part of the church and a remnant of a predecessor of the current church, which was built between 1380 and 1440. The present cross basilica with ambulatory and strikingly low transepts was the result of an extension between 1455 and 1518. In this period the church was destroyed by fire in 1468 and 1481. The side aisles have stone vaults, but the central nave is covered by an oak barrel vault, which was painted between 1510 and 1518 with scenes from the Old and New Testament. The oak choir fence from 1531 with rich renaissance carving also dates from the time before the Reformation. The church is managed by a foundation ( Stichting Grote Kerk Naarden ) and is still used for services of the Protestant Community of Naarden. In addition, events and concerts are held there. The church is very well known known for the annual performance of Bach's St Matthew Passion by the Netherlands Bach Society on Good Friday.

The gardens of the Muiderslot (Muiden Castle) are located next to the castle and are often 'forgotten' by visitors. I can recommend to take a look in the gardens; a lovely place to enjoy and relax. The gardens of Muiderslot were first designed and created in the 17th century: to enjoy, to show off and to eat out. In that era it was always practical and necessary to have vegetables, herbs and fruit nearby. A berceau (beech alley) divides the garden into two sections. Windows have been made into the hedges, allowing a look into the garden rooms. The ‘green tunnel’ allowed the lord of the castle and his guests to stroll in the shade. The garden layout with its sober lines, shaped hedges, trees and rare plants served to impress many a guest. The vegetable garden ( Warmoeshof ) still offers (forgotten) vegetables. It was the best way to ensure a steady food supply since Muiderslot was far away from the markets. In the herb garden ( Kruidhof ) kitchen, medicinal, and ornamental herbs are grown. The medicinal herbs supplied the castle pharmacy.

Kasteel Muiderslot (Muiden Castle) is a moated castle, which is dating back to the year of 1285. Count Floris V commissioned the construction of this stone fortress. It is one of the oldest and best preserved castles in the Netherlands. It is also very well known (by foreigners) due to its location near Amsterdam. Soon after its construction - in 1296 - the castle was destroyed by Bishop Willem van Mechelen. In 1380 a new castle was built on the ruins of the old one. Muiderslot has been a court building, a prison and the official residence of castle wardens. One of the most famous of these wardens was the author and poet, P.C. Hooft. He lived at the castle from 1609 to 1674. During this period, the Muiderslot was an important center for science and art and the meeting place for a group of prominent citizens known as the Muiderkring . At the end of the 19th century Muiderslot was completely dilapidated and even came close to being demolished. Fortunately that never happened because King Willem I got involved. The castle was renovated thoroughly by the famous Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers. In 1878 the castle became a national museum, one of the first in the Netherlands. The castle is part of the so called Stelling van Amsterdam (Defence Line of Amsterdam), a ring of fortifications around the city. Since 1996 it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.