Grote of Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kerk
| Adres: | Kerkplein 2, Breda |
| Bouwjaar: | 1410 |
| Architect: | Keldermans / P.J.H. Cuypers |
| Restauratie architect: | Architectenbureau J. van Stigt |
| Opdrachtgever: | Restauratiecommissie Grote Kerk Breda |
| Bouwbedrijf: | Bouwbedrijf Nico de Bont |
| Bouwsom: | ca. €10.000.000,- |
| Start bouw: | 1991 |
| Jaar van oplevering: | 2007 |
| Bijzonderheden: | De Grote Kerk van Breda laat de overgang naar een nieuwe tijd zien. De rode bakstenen gotische kerk werd bekleed met blonde natuursteen gevels, vensters, ornamenten en pinakels. Hiermee werd de Renaissance in Nederland geïntroduceerd. |
Description
Engelbrecht of Nassau was the first man of the city of Breda, he decided to build the Great Church of Breda in 1410, also known as “Lieve Vrouwenkerk“.This Gothic church in brick, coated with natural blonde stone was a typical example of the architectural tradition of the Southern Netherlands of that time. Examples of this type of churches are also to be seen in Antwerp, Mechelen and Brussels.
The family Keldermans was responsible for the construction of this church in the fifteenth century. The church contains a number of unique tombs of the ancestors of William of Orange. In 1533 the church was expanded with the Our Lady Chapel, the chapel in Western Europe known for its unique ceiling paintings designed by da Vincidor Bolonga
The church was in serious disrepair, when architect office Van Stigt was commissioned in the early 90’s to restore the monument and paintings in the church and to take measures to improve the operation. Joop van Stigt, the founder of our office, worked for 16 years on this enormous project from 1991-2007.
First the outer skin of the church was restored, after that all the monuments and the severely damaged paintings were restored.
There is a complete book published about the restoration of the Great Church in Breda with many images of this long and intensive process.
