What’s in a name?
It’s usually called Grote Kerk, which is Dutch for “Big Church”, and given that the tower is 92.5m tall it’s a name that works. For centuries its tower was the tallest building in the city centre, and it’s still the 11th tallest building. The tower served many functions; a watchtower for invading troops, watchtower for fires, and the city’s clock – as the carillon plays on the quarter of the hour. But the church has another, older, name, Sint-Jacobskerk, St James’s Church.
Sint Jacob is the patron saint of Den Haag, he’s also the patron saint of Spain, Santiago, vets and woodcarvers – so he’s busy. One of the symbols of Sint Jacob/St James is the scallop shell, they’re still known as “Sint Jacobsschelp on Dutch menus. You can see the shells on the pavement by the church’s entrance, and three large sculpted shells on the south side of the church. Given the Dutch weather the upturned shell is usually full of water, but one exceptional summery day it was dry and there was a young woman curled up in the shell pretending to nap while her giggling friend took photos.
How old is the church?
Very, there has been a church on this site as far back as 1256, by mid 1300’s a stone and brick church was constructed over the next hundred years the church was added to, with a larger nave, and an octagonal tower which was opened in 1424, and has its 600th anniversary this year. But in 1539 lightning struck the tower and the church burnt down, it was rapidly rebuilt funded by Charles V, Lord of the Netherlands and by public lotteries.
The last significant addition was a new carillon in 1686, it’s had new bells, more bells, renovations and retuning since then, and there is a carillonist appointed who plays it live Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12 -1pm. The carillonist also resets the drum which controls the sequence played on other days. You can see more in the fascinating video below (English subtitles are available).
Royal Use
The Grote Kerk is still a consecrated church and is used for religious events including royal occasions, there have been royal weddings and christenings here, including for Princess Catharina-Amalia in 2004. It’s more commonly used for events, and it’s possible to visit the church,
Visiting the Church
Opening hours:
– from March to September on Thursday to Sunday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
– from October to February on Saturday and Sunday at 12:00 noon and 4:00 p.m.
The church will be closed for visits if there is an event so check the link below for available dates and to book your ticket.
Images
- Wedding of Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Hendrik, Hague Municipal Archives collection, no photography listed in photo data.
- IAmExpat Fair, November 2023
- all other images by me
I am not a tourist 