Naarden Things to Do Tips by OlafS

Utrechtse Poort

The Utrechtse Poort ('Utrecht gate') dates from 1877. It is the only survivor of two gates that once gave access to the fortress, the other being the former Amsterdamse Poort. It's a nice building, a reminder of the time when utility architecture was still meant to be beautiful, long ago.

Grootarsenaal

Grootarsenaal ('great arsenal') is the name of this building from ca. 1688 that lost its military function long ago and now houses a big and expensive furniture shop of Jan de Bouvrie, whose designs are both famous and notorious in the Netherlands, depending on taste.

Comeniusmausoleum

The Czech bishop and pedagogue Jan Amos Komensky, a.k.a. Comenius never set a foot in Naarden. But after he died in Amsterdam in 1670 his body was taken to Naarden and buried in this former chapel, which today is known as the Comeniusmausoleum. Next to it is a museum about the man.

Town hall

The town hall is an attractive building dating from 1601 and one of the nicest examples of the Renaissance-style in the Netherlands. Note the unequal stepped gables.

Spanish house

The Spanish house dates from 1615. It owes its name to its location, as on this place the chapel of the hospital stood, where in 1572 Spanish troops started the massacre of the population of Naarden. The remains of the chapel were later converted into a weighing-house, when the town had been repopulated again..

Grote Kerk ('Great Church') part 1

The reformed Grote Kerk ('Great Church') until the Reformation was known as St. Vitus, like many churches in this area. The church dates from the 15th century and has unique painted wooden vaults. See the next tip.

Grote Kerk ('Great Church') part 2

This is one of those cases where you really MUST go inside the church. Yes, there's a fee, but it's worth it.
Most of the church is covered by wooden vaults. Although the Reformation took its toll from the interior of this church, the unique paintings on these vaults have survived, albeit under a thick coat of dirt. Inspired by the work of Albrecht Dürer, scenes from the Old and New Testament have been painted on the vaults. Next to every scene from the Old Testament is a scene from the New Testament with a similar message. Theology for beginners.

Weeshuiskazerne

Weeshuiskazerne ('orphanage barracks') is the strange name for this building, which is part of a complex that was built as a convent and later became an orphanage. From 1809 until 1986 it was used as a barracks. Today it houses the Comeniusmuseum.