For many people, the New Church in Delft is the place where members of the Dutch royal family have been interred for centuries. Yet, this was not always the plan: William of Orange, the ‘Father of the Fatherland,’ was originally meant to be buried in Breda alongside his Nassau family, his wife, and his daughter. Why wasn’t the most prominent Nassau laid to rest in Breda?
Grote Kerk Breda: Brabantine Gothic
The Grote Kerk van Breda is a beautiful example of Brabantine Gothic. In 1410, Engelbrecht I of Nassau, an ancestor of the current King Willem of Orange-Nassau, commissioned the church’s construction. Deliberate or not, the Grote Kerk became a mausoleum for the Nassau family, with its chapel: the ‘Prinsenkapel’.
Majestic Grote Kerk of Breda: Gothic Church with a Royal Touch
The Grote Kerk of Breda stands as the epitome of Brabantine Gothic architecture in the Netherlands. Amidst the awe-inspiring grandeur of this church lie some puzzling mysteries.
Inside the Prinsenkapel, the tomb monument of Count Engelbrecht II and his wife stands as a testament to the lavish efforts invested in this space. No expense was spared for the chapel. The tomb is crafted from alabaster and marble. The chapel’s ceiling is gilded with gold leaf (painted by a pupil of none other than Raphael). Don’t forget to look up at the early Renaissance vault paintings, stained glass windows, and tapestries. Together, they create a magnificent, colorful ensemble.
However, the crypt of Count Engelbrecht II was not the only one. It was only discovered in 1937, not with ultrasonic equipment but (truly!) following the directions of a famous dowser. Another ancient crypt was found, lying directly beneath the tomb monument of Count Engelbert II of Nassau and containing four coffins.
Nassau Tomb
After anatomical research, it was revealed in 1938 that the crypt contained the remains of Hendrik III, Count of Nassau († 1538), René of Chalon, Prince of Orange and Count of Nassau († 1544), Anna of Egmont (Anna of Buren), the first wife of Prince William I, and Maria of Nassau, the first child of Prince William I, who died at a young age.
Interestingly, a prominent family member is notably absent: William of Orange (Willem van Oranje, the ‘Father of the Fatherland’). Why isn’t he buried here, with his ancestors?
Why William of Orange wasn't buried here
Assassinated in Delft in 1584, he couldn’t be interred here because the Spanish still held Breda. Instead, he found his resting place in Delft’s Nieuwe Kerk. Since William of Orange, nearly all members of the Dutch royal family have been interred in the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft.
It’s worth noting that there was a brief concern that the remains would be moved to the Royal Crypt in Delft. However, thanks to the explicit desire of Queen Wilhelmina, the crypt in Breda was carefully restored.
That is why, until today, the Grote Kerk of Breda is still a church with a Royal touch. Do you like to visit this magnificent church? Read this article first, and get to know the best kept secrets from an official guide!
About the GROTE KERK BREDA
- Building period: 1410-1547
- Lenght: 77,3 m
- Width (transept): 37,7 m
- Height (vault): 22,5 m
- Height (tower): 97 m
The Grote Kerk of Breda stands as the epitome of Brabantine Gothic architecture in the Netherlands.
In 1410, the construction of the Grote Kerk of Breda began, a common starting point for churches of that era. First came the choir, followed by the three-aisle nave, transept, and the north and south chapels. After the tower’s completion in 1509, work began on the chapels flanking the tower, which were finished in 1547.
In 1566, nearly 20 years after its completion, the Reformation took place and the church was no longer Catholic. In 1637, the church became Protestant.
