The Martinikerk (

Martin Martin may refer to: Places Antarctica * Martin Peninsula, Marie Byrd Land * Port Martin, Adelie Land * Point Martin, South Orkney Islands Europe * Martin, Croatia, a village * Martin, Slovakia, a city * Martín del Río, Aragón, Spain * M ...

's church) is the oldest church in

Groningen Groningen ( , ; ; or ) is the capital city and main municipality of Groningen (province), Groningen province in the Netherlands. Dubbed the "capital of the north", Groningen is the largest place as well as the economic and cultural centre of ...

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

. The church and its associated tower (the Martinitoren) are named after

Saint Martin of Tours Martin of Tours (; 316/3368 November 397) was the third bishop of Tours. He is the patron saint of many communities and organizations across Europe, including France's Third Republic. A native of Pannonia (present-day Hungary), he converted to ...

(316–397), the patron saint of the

Bishopric of Utrecht The archdiocese, archbishopric, diocese or Bishopric of Utrecht may refer to: * Diocese of Utrecht (695–1580) The historic Diocese of Utrecht was a diocese of the Latin Church (or Western) of the Catholic Church from 695 to 1580, and from 1559 ...

to which Groningen belonged. The church was a

cathedral A cathedral is a church (building), church that contains the of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, Annual conferences within Methodism, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually s ...

for a short period during the first bishopric of Groningen (1559–1594). The origins of the Martinikerk are a

cruciform A cruciform is a physical manifestation resembling a common cross or Christian cross. These include architectural shapes, biology, art, and design. Cruciform architectural plan Christian churches are commonly described as having a cruciform ...

church built in the 13th century, which was extended in the 15th and 16th centuries. It contains several 16th-century tombs and

Wessel Gansfort Wessel Harmensz Gansfort (1419 – 4 October 1489) was a theologian and early humanist of the northern Low Countries. Many variations of his last name are seen and he is sometimes incorrectly called Johan Wessel. Gansfort has been called one of ...

's 18th-century tomb. Much of the wall and roof paintwork has been preserved. Of particular note is a 16th-century depiction of the life of

Jesus Christ Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...

. The tower was built from 1469 till 1482, with later additions. Citizens of Groningen often refer to the tower as ''d'Olle Grieze'' (''the Old Grey One''). The original 13th-century tower was destroyed by lightning, and a new tower was built in the 15th century, also destroyed by lightning. Its

organ Organ and organs may refer to: Biology * Organ (biology), a group of tissues organized to serve a common function * Organ system, a collection of organs that function together to carry out specific functions within the body. Musical instruments ...

contains stops dating back to 1450, and was rebuilt and enlarged by

Arp Schnitger Arp Schnitger (2 July 164828 July 1719 (buried)) was an influential Northern German organ builder. Considered the paramount manufacturer of his time, Schnitger built or rebuilt over 150 organs. He was primarily active in Northern Europe, especial ...

among others. The Martinikerk Organ in Groningen
/ref> The church and organ are filmed extensively in the documentary '' Martinikerk Rondeau''.

Gallery

File:Martinitoren groningen.jpg, The Martinikerk and its tower File:Martinikerk Groningen.jpg, Martinikerk Groningen File:Koorgewelf Martinikerk.JPG, Choir vaulting Martinikerk File:Gewelfschildering Martinikerk Groningen.jpg, Vaulting painting Martinikerk File:Orgel Martinikerk Groningen.jpg, Organ Martinikerk File:Martinikerk Groningen orgel.JPG, Organ Martinikerk File:Groningen noordoostelijk-deel ca 1575.jpg, Martinikerk
''City Atlas'' by Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg 1575 File:Martinikerk en Walburgkerk Groningen.png, Martinikerk
1594 File:Groningenkeuring.jpg, ''The Horse Inspection'' (Martinikerk in the background)
by Otto Eerelman 1920 File:Groningen Grote Markt 1945.jpg, Martinikerk
1945 File:Martini bij nacht.jpg, Martinikerk tower by night

Photo gallery entrances.

Groningen (stad), Martinikerk in Groningen 13-06-2022. (actm.).jpg, Side entrance with memorial plaque. Groningen (stad), Martinikerk in Groningen 13-06-2022. (actm.) 02.jpg, Side entrance in a masonry arch. Groningen (stad), Martinikerk in Groningen 13-06-2022. (actm.) 03.jpg, Entrance to the Martinikerk secretariat.

References

External links

*
Martinikerk
official website {{Authority control Buildings and structures completed in 1482 Towers completed in the 15th century Buildings and structures in Groningen (city) Churches in Groningen (province) Rijksmonuments in Groningen (province) Gothic architecture in the Netherlands 13th-century churches in the Netherlands