The Brugkerk

The Brugkerk is located in the town of Steenwijkerwold, which is part of the municipality of Steenwijkerland in the province of Overijssel, Netherlands.

Construction on the church began in 1570 and was completed in 1582. It was built as a replacement for an earlier church that had been destroyed during the Eighty Years' War between the Netherlands and Spain.

• The Brugkerk is a stunning example of Dutch Renaissance architecture.
• Its distinctive feature is its striking tower, which rises to a height of 72 meters (236 feet). The tower is adorned with intricate stone carvings and is topped with a golden ball.

Inside the church, you'll find beautiful wooden pews and a striking organ loft.

• The church's interior also features some interesting artworks, including paintings by the Dutch masters Jacob van Ruisdael and Salomon van Ruysdale.
• One of the Brugkerk's most notable features is its "speaking tubes," which are a series of hollow tubes that connect the tower to the nave. These tubes were originally used to communicate between the clergy in the tower and the congregation below.

Today, they're mainly used for decorative purposes.

1. The Brugkerk is open to visitors daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (May-October) or by appointment during the off-season.
2. Guided tours are available upon request.