Naarden Travel Guide

 OlafS Says:  Grootarsenaal ('great arsenal') is the name of this building from ca. 1688 that lost its military function long ago and now houses a big and expensive furniture shop of Jan de Bouvrie, whose designs are both famous and notorious in the Netherlands, depending on taste. 

 OlafS Says:  The Czech bishop and pedagogue Jan Amos Komensky, a.k.a. Comenius never set a foot in Naarden. But after he died in Amsterdam in 1670 his body was taken to Naarden and buried in this former chapel, which today is known as the Comeniusmausoleum. Next to it is a museum about... 

 OlafS Says:  The town hall is an attractive building dating from 1601 and one of the nicest examples of the Renaissance-style in the Netherlands. Note the unequal stepped gables. 

 OlafS Says:  The Spanish house dates from 1615. It owes its name to its location, as on this place the chapel of the hospital stood, where in 1572 Spanish troops started the massacre of the population of Naarden. The remains of the chapel were later converted into a weighing-house, when... 

 OlafS Says:  The reformed Grote Kerk ('Great Church') until the Reformation was known as St. Vitus, like many churches in this area. The church dates from the 15th century and has unique painted wooden vaults. See the next tip. 

 OlafS Says:  This is one of those cases where you really MUST go inside the church. Yes, there's a fee, but it's worth it.Most of the church is covered by wooden vaults. Although the Reformation took its toll from the interior of this church, the unique paintings on these vaults have... 

 Roeffie Says:  Grote Kerk or St. VituskerkThe ceiling of this church must be beautiful I am told. On the day I was there, there was a service going on so I didn't want to disturd it. Also it must be possible to climb the tower one must have a great view on the fortifications up there. So... 

 Roeffie Says:  VestingsmuseumCollectionArchitectureLocal traditional clothingsArms and warCity and areahistoryUniforms/armory In this underground- openairmuseum you'll find casemates, canoncellars and collection historic artifacts. Displays tell you all about the defence of the... 

 Roeffie Says:  Comenius MuseumCollectionBooks and art of printingCartograficsRelgious art/EducationPaintings (between 1600 and 1850)City and areahistory There is an exhibition about the life of the Tjech 17th century scientist Jan Amos Comenius (1592-1670). The museum also preserves the... 

 Roeffie Says:  Spanish HouseThis house thanks is name of a massacre that occurred here in 1572, when this building was city hall. On decmber 1st of that year 700 inhabitants gathered here to listen to the peace propositions of the Spanish army. As we now know it was a setup of the Spanish... 

 Roeffie Says:  City HallThe ciyty hall was built in 1601 and is a nice example of Dutch Renaissance.Nowadays the Cityhall is still used for weddings and special occasions. Behind the old cityhall there is a new one. Sadly enough it is not well adapted in the athmosphere of the town. 

 OlafS Says:  Weeshuiskazerne ('orphanage barracks') is the strange name for this building, which is part of a complex that was built as a convent and later became an orphanage. From 1809 until 1986 it was used as a barracks. Today it houses the Comeniusmuseum. 

 Roeffie Says:  Het Arsenaal NaardenThe wellknown dutch interior designer Jan des Bouvries has one of his outlets here in Naarden-Vesting.The saying in the title is a matter of saying by Jan des Bouvries. He states that your interior tells a person who they really are.Opening hoursMon 13.00... 

 rozehill Says:  The Dutch Renaissance Architecture The Town Hall was built in 1601. It is used for council meetings, marriage ceremonies and cultural activities.