Sint Jan de Doper (St. John the Baptist Church)

Waalwijk, in the province of Noord-Brabant, is best known as the old shoe town of the Langstraat, but its skyline is dominated by a church that is unlike most others in the country. Sint Jan de Doper, the church of Saint John the Baptist, is built in a neo-Byzantine style, with a cluster of copper-covered domes and a slender tower that looks closer to an eastern minaret than to the brick spires of Dutch tradition. The church stands near Sint-Jansplein and is visible from some distance across the town.

The neo-Byzantine style was a deliberate choice, and it belongs to a period when Catholic architects in the Netherlands experimented with different historical styles. Many churches of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries followed Gothic or Romanesque models, but a few drew on early Christian and Byzantine buildings, with rounded domes, arches and rich decoration. The result in Waalwijk is a building that stands out sharply in a province with many fine Gothic churches, and it draws architecture lovers who want to see a Dutch example of this rarer approach.

Inside, the space is light and open. Decorative detail, painting and stained glass accompany the domed ceiling, and the proportions give a sense of lift and calm. Volunteers often welcome visitors, answer questions and explain the church's history and art, and an audio guide has been available in Dutch and English. The church belongs to an initiative that opens heritage churches to the public under the name Greatest Museum of the Netherlands, so visiting times are tied to when volunteers are present.

Because of that arrangement, opening days are limited, and it is wise to check the church's current schedule before going. Services, weddings and concerts may also affect access, and quiet behaviour is expected. Groups can usually arrange tours in advance.

Waalwijk offers other things to see on the same visit. The Schoenenkwartier, the former shoe quarter, recalls the industry that shaped the town, and nearby Theater De Leest offers a cultural programme in the evening. The Loonse and Drunense Duinen, a large area of inland dunes and woods, lies a short ride away.

The church suits architecture fans, people interested in religious heritage and anyone looking for a calm interlude on a day in Brabant. A visit takes between half an hour and an hour.