St. John's Church (Sint Janskerk)

The basics

The 72 stained glass windows of St. John's Church were crafted by Dirk Crabeth and his brother. Within the church there are pieces from Protestant and Roman Catholic donors—an unusual crossover that came about through the reconstruction of the church during the Eighty Years’ War. The windows in St. John's Church represent stories in the life of John the Baptist, and that of Jesus. Wander the church to follow the stories, and see the Gothic vaulted ceilings and decorative pillars, set in the light and airy-feeling building.

Things to know before you go

• The church has an entrance fee which goes towards its upkeep—check the exact price before you visit

• Audio tours are available and last approximately 40 minutes

• Guides are available for in-person small group tours

• Still in use as a church for local Christians, services are open to all every Sunday.

• St. John's Church is accessible to wheelchair users

How to get there

St. John's Church is in the center of Gouda, next to the Museum Gouda—in fact, they share a footbridge. Wander over the Doelenbrug bridge and head towards Oosthaven and you’ll find the Gothic towers before the entrance reveals itself.

When to get there

The church is open to visitors every day of the week except for Sundays, when it is only available to those visiting for a church service at either 11am or 5pm. From Monday to Saturday from November to March, opening times are 10am—4pm. From April to October, the church is open between 9am—5pm.

Enjoy Live Music in St. John's Church

Concerts and live music are a big part of St. John's Church’s appeal for visitors. Under the arches, bathed in colorful light from the stained glass windows, musicians and choirs perform, using perfect acoustics to create an unforgettable atmosphere. There’s always a full schedule of live music events at the church, including a weekly concert at 4pm every Saturday.