Old Blasius

Old Blasius is the common name of the old church of Delden, a small town in the Hof van Twente municipality in the east of the Netherlands. The Oude Blasiuskerk is a medieval church, built in stages over several centuries and altered after the Reformation, and it stands in the centre of the town near the Twickel estate. Churches dedicated to Saint Blaise, a bishop and martyr who was invoked against throat ailments, were common in the medieval Low Countries.

Churches of this type tell their story in layers. The oldest parts, of tufa or brick, were probably built as a modest Romanesque church, and later generations added taller windows, a larger choir and a tower in the Gothic style as the congregation and its patrons grew richer. After the Reformation the interior was stripped and adapted for Protestant worship, with plain walls and a pulpit in the centre. In many cases, the paint and plaster of later centuries were removed during twentieth-century restorations to reveal older details, and visitors can often see traces of wall paintings or old stonework.

The local nobility played a big part in the life of towns like Delden. The Twickel estate, with its moated castle and large park, has been in the hands of an old noble family for centuries, and the family and the town share a long history. The church and the castle belong to the same landscape of history, which is why a visit to one often leads to the other. Twickel is open for walks, and the castle can be visited on guided tours at certain times.

Other attractions in the area include the Zoutmuseum, which tells the story of the salt industry that developed in Twente, and Kasteel Weldam, another historic house in the region. The Borkeld area is attractive for walks, and the country estates of the Hof van Twente offer cycling routes through woods, meadows and brooks. Delden itself has a pleasant centre with cafes and shops.

The church is often locked outside services and special openings, so ask locally or check the tourist information in advance. It suits visitors interested in church architecture, regional history and quiet exploration, and works well as part of a day of cycling. Visitors are welcome to walk around the churchyard.