Grote kerk 🇳🇱

Welcome to Breda’s premier landmark and most important monument, the majestic Grote Kerk (also known as the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk or Church of Our Lady). This iconic Reformed Protestant church boasts a Latin Cross floor plan, striking Brabantine Gothic architecture, and a soaring 97-meter tower topped with a historic spire. Construction on the stone choir originally began in 1410, and after centuries of building, tower collapses, fires, and restorations, the structure achieved its present shape in 1547.

Inside, you will discover fascinating history and grand cultural treasures. Explore the famous Prinsenkapel (Prince chapel), built between 1520 and 1525, which serves as the ancient mausoleum for seventeen members of the van Nassau-Breda dynasty, including ancestors of the Dutch royal family. Be sure to look up in the chapel to admire the restored 1533 vault paintings created by Italian master Tommaso di Andrea Vincidor.

You will also encounter one of the largest organs in the Netherlands, an instrument with roots extending back to the 16th century. For an unusual detail, seek out Polleke, a 15th-century mummified cat displayed in the church. Today, this vibrant city-center space even hosts hundreds of public events annually.

What to see at Grote kerk

• Soaring 97-meter Brabantine Gothic tower and Latin Cross structure
• The Prinsenkapel mausoleum holding seventeen members of the Nassau-Breda line
• Restored 1533 vault paintings by Italian painter Tommaso di Andrea Vincidor
• Grand church organ ranking among the largest in the Netherlands
• Polleke, a 15th-century mummified cat once hidden inside the walls

Visiting tips

Check the schedule during your trip to see if one of the church's hundreds of annual public events or fairs is taking place.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Grote kerk is easy to reach on Breda’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Breda travel guide.