Sint Maartenskerk

The Sint Maartenskerk is the principal church of Zaltbommel, a small walled town on the Waal in the province of Gelderland. It is dedicated to Saint Martin, the patron saint of many churches in the Low Countries, and it stands at the Kerkplein in the centre of the old town, where its tall tower dominates the skyline for miles along the river. Zaltbommel was an important town in the Middle Ages, a stopping place on the river and a member of the Hanseatic League, and the size of the church reflects that status.

The building is a Gothic church of the Lower Rhine type, the style that spread along the river from the Rhineland into the central Netherlands. It has a three-aisled nave and a single-aisled choir, with tall windows and rib vaults inside. Churches of this type are built mostly of brick, with stone details, and the proportions are often more restrained than those of the grand cathedrals of France. Parts of the church are believed to be older than the main phase of construction, with a history that goes back to the earlier middle ages, but most of the visible structure belongs to the late medieval period. The tower, rebuilt and heightened over the centuries, is the most prominent feature from outside.

Inside, the atmosphere is calm and spacious. After the Reformation, the church became Protestant and was stripped of its altars and statues, so the interior is plain and light, and the architecture itself, the vaults, the columns and the windows, is the main attraction. Memorials and floor stones record the names of local families, and the church is sometimes used for concerts and community events. Opening hours are limited, and the church is often open only in the afternoons in the visitor season, so it is wise to check before you go.

The church is best seen as part of a walk through Zaltbommel. The Stadskasteel, the town museum in the house of Maarten van Rossem, and the Gasthuistoren, a tower that belonged to the former hospital, are both close by. The old town walls and the quays along the Waal are a short stroll away, and the Bommelerwaard countryside around the town is pleasant for cycling.

The church suits visitors interested in architecture, regional history and quiet spaces. Allow half an hour for the interior and the same for a look around the square.