Marekerk

View of Leiden towards the North. The Marekerk was the tallest building on the horizon, until the Catholic church Hartebrugkerk (center) was built with a taller tower in 1836.

Church (de Marekerk) with boat in the canal

The church was designed by the city architect Arent van 's-Gravesande in 1639–1649, who also designed the Bibliotheca Thysiana on Rapenburg 25. It was one of the first churches in the Netherlands designed specifically for Protestant church services.[1] It was opened in 1649.[1] The main entrance was designed by Jacob van Campen in 1659.[2] The organ was built by Pieter de Swart around 1560 for the choir of the Pieterskerk[2] and it was moved to the Marekerk in 1733 and enlarged by Rudolph Garrels.[2][1] It was restored in 1966 by Flentrop Orgelbouw.[2]

The carillon has a church bell by C. Wegewaert from 1647, with a diameter of 202.7 cm and it has a bell by Francois Hemony from 1663 with a diameter of 98.6 cm.[2] The mechanical clock in the tower is by B. Eijsbouts in 1941, an electric winding mechanism was added later.[2]

Services are held on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The church is open to visitors during Saturday afternoons in July and August and occasionally on Saturday afternoons throughout the year.[3]

Other 17th century "round" churches of the Netherlands:

• Ronde Lutherse Kerk, round church of Amsterdam
• Oostkerk, round church of Middelburg

Dutch Rijksmonument 25069

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