Kuppel Cathedral Haarlem

Sunday 2022/10/02

It is an interesting and above all an impressive sight: The St. Bavo Catholic Cathedral in Haarlem. With its large green dome - that's why it's called Kuppel Cathedral or Koepelkathedral in Dutch - and its pointed towers and twelve small domes on semicircular extensions, it reminds a bit of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The design was created by Joseph Cuypers, the son of the famous architect Pierre Cuypers, who built the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and planned the central station in Amsterdam. At the beginning, he also worked on the construction plans of the Kuppel Cathedral. Joseph Cuypers decided on an eclectic style, with Neo-Romanesque, Neo-Gothic and Byzantine elements, as well as elements of Art Nouveau. The construction began in 1850 and lasted until 1950. The interior of the church is dominated by the 65-meter high dome, and the ensemble also includes two 60-meter high towers.

It is fascinating to visit a cathedral of this size, which was not built in the Middle Ages, but only in the mid-19th century and completed in the 20th century, and which is also not located in the city center (there stands the old, now reformed church).

Currently, it is possible to walk on the dome, which is usually not allowed. This allows for a very special view into the nave. And of course, we will not miss the opportunity to climb one of the two towers after walking on the dome. An extraordinarily beautiful, almost intoxicating view of the city of Haarlem rewards the effort.