Munsterkerk

The Munsterkerk ( Munster Kirche ) in Roermond Netherlands is the only church in the late Romanesque style in the Netherlands. Its official name is Onze Lieve Vrouwe Munsterkerk.

History

The church was built as part of a 1218 by Count Gerhard IV ( money ) donated Cistercian abbey. As they should serve as a grave laying for the Guelders Count House, it was designed particularly complex; were buried here but only the founder and his wife. The oldest part of the church is the chancel, which has close relationship with St. Apostles in Cologne, Quirinus Münster Neuss and the Speyer Cathedral with its Dreikonchenchor. The Byzantine acting Octagon and the candlestick therein also remember the Aachen Cathedral. The nave was probably built 1220-1244 and is the part of the church, which was executed outside the plainest. The west wing was built 1244-1260.

In the 18th century the church was given a Baroque bell tower. 1850 put an extensive restoration work, which continued until 1890. Among other things, the Baroque tower were demolished and built a new west work under the direction of architect Pierre Cuypers. The church was restored again from 1959 to 1964 and after the earthquake of Roermond in 1992.

Attractions

Under the central octagon is the tomb of Guelders Duke Gerhard IV and his wife Magaretha of Brabant. The idealized sculptures created 1230-1240 and are considered the oldest statues located in the Netherlands. In the 19th century, the color design of the grave sculpture was restored. Other art treasures of the church are late Gothic sculptures ( Mary of Vogelsangh 1500 and Bernard of Clairvaux, 1525) and a carved Antwerp (ca. 1520)

The main organ was built in 1947 by the organ builder Verschueren. The instrument has 40 stops on three manuals and pedal.

In addition, the cathedral has a choir organ. The instrument was built in 1890 /91, the organ builder Franssen ( Roermond ) and restored by the builders company most recently in 2011. The instrument has 24 stops on two manuals and pedal.