With its richly sculpted exterior and double row of flying buttresses, St. John’s Cathedral is unmistakably late Gothic. The church is just over 377 feet long and 203 feet wide, featuring a white, polished façade with carved statues, gargoyles, window reliefs, and an impressive set of flying buttresses decorated with more than 95 Dutch figures dating from the 19th century. On the side, the simple red brick Romanesque tower contrasts with the building’s decorative Gothic style. (R. de Bruijn_Photography/Shutterstock)
One of the largest churches in the Netherlands, St. John’s Cathedral (Sint-Janskathedraal in Dutch) is a great representation of the Dutch Gothic style, a prominent 14th-century variant of Gothic architecture typical of the Low Countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg). It was inspired by the French Gothic style.
The story of this cathedral, however, began in 1185, when Duke Hendrik of Brabant founded the capital city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch in North Brabant, Netherlands. Initially, a parish church was built in the Romanesque style between 1220 and 1340, and dedicated to St. John the Evangelist.
But around 1340, the church began to be renovated in the Gothic style to reflect the town’s wealth and the increasing stature of the church. In 1366, it became a collegiate church, meaning it began to be maintained by secular, or non-monastic, clergy. By 1505, most of the original Romanesque elements were gone except a tower.
Construction of a new church was finished about 1525, and the Gothic church became a cathedral in 1559. A devastating fire in 1584 demolished the wooden tower, which collapsed upon the cathedral. A new crossing tower was built near 1600, and it can still be seen today. In 1830, another fire damaged the western tower, which was repaired by 1842. Since 1858, the church has undergone significant restoration. The first restoration lasted from 1850 to 1946, the second lasted from 1961 to 1985, and the final began in 2010. After the second restoration, Pope John Paul II declared the church a minor basilica.
Despite its renovations, the cathedral stands as a symbol of Dutch medieval architecture and is particularly representative of the Brabantine Gothic style, named for the Duchy of Brabant. The municipality of North Brabant—where the cathedral sits—was home to one of the duchy’s four capitals.
The façade of St. John’s Cathedral is particularly representative of the Brabantine Gothic style. Unlike Italian Gothic, the Brabantine style used softer stones, particularly limestone or sandstone, which allowed for highly detailed carvings and an overall stylized building. (Uwe Aranas/Shutterstock)
Sculptured figures are positioned on the double rows of flying buttresses that support the choir and nave. These were crafted from originals and drawings, and some are newer creations, installed in the 19th century. (Satrughna/CC BY-SA 3.0)
By 1505, St. John’s Cathedral had become a Gothic church, leaving only the lower tower. The Romanesque brick tower is the highest tower found in a Catholic church in the Netherlands. Underneath the clock tower, the carillon (built-in bells) plays as a clock chimes. The semi-round arched windows allow in natural light. (Poleijphoto/Shutterstock)
The interior of the cathedral features a cruciform floor plan with a central nave and double side aisles that expand into an ambulatory and side chapels. While the central nave ceiling isn’t as high as French Gothic naves, columns soar to a ribbed vault ceiling. The cathedral has an overall lightness to it, due to its light-colored stone and pointed arch windows. It also hosts a variety of artwork, including paintings, frescoes, stained-glass windows, and more than 600 statues. (Ana del Castillo/Shutterstock)
The cathedral's vaulted ceiling is supported by tall slender columns. The light-colored ceiling features a delicate and colorful sun across a blue background surrounded by intricate leaves and foliage. The pointed arched windows and stainless-steel glass allows in natural light. (Maarten1703/CC BY-SA 4.0)
The cathedral holds medieval sculptures, and stained-glass windows depict biblical scenes or events from the early Christian church. This stained-glass window, depicting St. Lambertus blessing a group of converts, was made in 1889 by L.C. Hezenmans and J.B. Capronnier. (Place-to-be/Shutterstock)
The large organ is located below the vaulted frescoed ceiling at the church's side entry. Built by carpenter Frans Simon in 1620, the wooden organ case is considered one of the most important historical organs in the Netherlands. Over the centuries, the organ was renovated and improved by several organ builders following the current fashions. The latest renovation dates from 1984, and the organ now features pipes from both past and present times. (PMRMaeyaert/CC BY-SA 3.0)
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