Wikipedia:
The Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of St. John (Sint-Janskathedraal) of 's-Hertogenbosch, North Brabant is the height of gothic architecture in the Netherlands. It has an extensive and richly decorated interior, and serves as the cathedral for the bishopric of 's-Hertogenbosch.
The cathedral has a total length of 115 and a width of 62 metres. Its tower reaches 73 metres high.
St. John’s Cathedral is a so-called ‘Kanjermonument’ (whopper-monument, loosely translated) and being such, it receives financial support from the Dutch government.
In 1985, it received the honorary title of Basilica Minor from Pope John Paul II.
History[edit]Originally, the cathedral was built as a parish church and was dedicated to St. John Evangelist. In 1366 it became a collegiate church, and in 1559 it became the cathedral of the new diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch. After 1629, when the city was conquered by the Protestants and Catholicism was banned, a Protestant minority used the church, which came to be in a heavily dilapidated state.[] When Napoleon visited the town in 1810, he restored the building to the Catholics.[
A Romanesque church used to stand on the spot where the St. John now resides. Its construction is thought to have started in 1220 and was finished in 1340. Around 1340, building began to extend the church, from which its current gothic style came. The transept and choir were finished in 1450. In 1505, the romanesque church was largely demolished, leaving only its tower. Construction of the gothic St. John was finished about the year 1525.
In the year 1584, a fire broke out in the high wooden crossing tower, more majestic than the current one. Soon the whole tower was set ablaze, and it collapsed upon the cathedral itself, taking with it much of the roof up to point where the organ was situated. In 1830, another fire damaged the western tower, which was repaired by 1842.
Underneath the clock tower there is a carillon. The clockwork can be found at the top of the Romanesque tower.
Restorations[edit]The first restoration of the cathedral lasted from 1859 to 1946. A second attempt at restoration was executed from 1961 to 1985. The third and most recent restoration started in 1998 and was completed in 2010, costing more than 48 million euro. Major parts of the building are once again covered by scaffolding erected for restoration of the outer stonework, but also, ironically, to remedy mistakes made by earlier restoration attempts.
Angel with a mobile phone[edit]During the restoration 25 new angels statues had been created by sculptor Ton Mooy, including the one with a modern twist. The last angel in the series holds a mobile phone and also wears jeans. "The phone has just one button, says the artist. – It dials directly to God".[1] The mobile-using angel had to be first approved by the cathedral's fathers, who rejected earlier designs with the jet engines on the angel's back.
How beautiful. I love all the detail and your spectacular collage. I love cathedrals and find them so very impressive. Your photos are amazing. Did you get to go inside? What a lot of work went into this cathedral due to at least one fire as I read a bit of the above. What interesting history it has. So very old. The last paragraph is so interesting and with an interesting twist. A great post and wonderful photos. FAV
Wow! What a gorgeous Cathedral!!! Sounds like this beautiful building has been through a lot! Amazing details! Fav! Will we get to see the angel statues?
@pyrrhula Thanks for letting me know I could translate to English! It said you can actually call the angel. Very fun! If I ever get to Holland, I will have to go here for sure!!!
Oh wow, they've come a long way ..an angel in jeans and a cell phone. unbelievable. the church is magnificent. love all the pictures. reminds me of visiting churches in Germany. a fav. for the collage.
@vesna0210 11. I found the answer on : Questions of children:
What kind of phone do you have? And what’s on it?
My mobile phone is a very special one. It is a Angelphone, I don`t need to recharge but I can never call. I only have one line, that line connects me directly to Above. . I’m only able to pick up a phonecall, read text messages, but I can use the internet and use Twitter. .
For an English translation : First , click on the red line/words than on English
Ian
What kind of phone do you have? And what’s on it?
My mobile phone is a very special one. It is a Angelphone, I don`t need to recharge but I can never call. I only have one line, that line connects me directly to Above. . I’m only able to pick up a phonecall, read text messages, but I can use the internet and use Twitter. .