Sint-Janskerk

About the museum

Gouda's Sint-Janskerk is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the city's patron saint. A chapel stood on this site as early as 1278; the present cruciform basilica dates largely from before the city fire of 1552 and, at 123 meters, is the longest church in the Netherlands. It was Catholic until the Reformation, with at least 45 altars of guilds and saints in the nave. In 1573 it passed to the Protestants; today it is owned by the Protestantse Kerk Gouda, which holds Sunday services here.

The church is world-famous for its 72 stained-glass windows, the "Goudse Glazen." Of these, 61 were created between 1530 and 1603 – more than half of all the glass from that century surviving in the Netherlands. The windows show the transition from the late medieval style to the Renaissance and reflect the upheavals of the revolt against Spain: the window of King Philip II, up to 20 meters tall, is diagonally opposite the window of the city of Delft depicting William of Orange. The Protestants left the windows untouched, and from 1594 Dutch cities even donated new ones.

The museum is run by the Stichting Goudse Sint-Jan, which emerged in 2010 from several predecessor organizations, including the Fonds Goudse Glazen, founded in 1938. It cares for the windows together with their design cartoons, the organs – including the main organ by Jacob François Moreau from 1732 to 1736 – and archaeological finds, and is listed in the Dutch Museum Register. It also uses the space for concerts and events.

Highlights

• 72 stained-glass windows ("Goudse Glazen"), 61 of them from 1530–1603
• Window of King Philip II, up to 20 meters tall
• At 123 meters, the longest church in the Netherlands
• Organ by Jacob François Moreau (1732–1736)
• Carillon with bells mostly by the Hemony brothers
• Free audio tour and children's tour with puzzle boxes

Permanent exhibitions

• De Goudse Glazen – 72 stained-glass windows with biblical and historical scenes, mostly from the 16th century – with an audio tour through the entire church.

Founded

1278

Operated by

Stichting Goudse Sint-Jan

Admission & discounts

Audio tour included in admission. Free admission with the Museumkaart, VriendenLoterij VIP-kaart, Rotterdampas, Groene Hart Pas, ICOM card, and for Vrienden van de Sint-Jan. Bridal photos in the church €50.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Free children's tour: with a large die and a map, children search for six boxes with puzzles as well as search and hands-on tasks – ask at the ticket desk. Free admission up to age 17.

Getting there & parking

Gouda can be reached via the A12 and A20.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 1,500 guests.

Nave for 1,000 guests (up to 1,500 seats including the south aisle), choir for up to 300 people or 170 for dinner (up to 700 or more than 400 including the ambulatory), Van der Vormkapel and Moreauzaal for 30–80 guests (evenings only), Consistorie and Kerkmeesterskamer for up to 12 people. Church weddings through the Protestantse Kerk Gouda, receptions through the foundation.

Plan your visit