Walking along churches

Starting point: Venestraat, Geertruidenberg (junction 14).

• Walk towards node 9. At the Elfhuizen: Geertruidskerk and former Synagogue.

The Geertruidskerk was rebuilt after the disaster years 1420 (city fire) and 1421 (St. Elisabethflood). As a three-nave hall church, it was completed around 1540. An extensive restoration took place from 1987 to 1990, restoring the interior to its full glory. The tower was thoroughly restored from 1990 to 1992.

This former Synagogue was built in 1874. The Hebrew text on the plaque above the entrance reads, "Blessed he who enters here and blessed he who exits here."

• Go through Brandestraat to nodes 9 and 15.
• Cross the car bridge to node 17. Across the bridge you will see the former Reformed church. This is now privately owned and no longer has a church function.
• Walk via node 18 towards node 86.

At the end of Prins Bernhardstraat turn left into the Emmastraat. The Emmakerk was built in 1880, in an eclectic style with neo-gothic elements designed by architect C. van Seters. Around 1970 the church was remodeled inside, the barrel vault above the nave was removed. The exterior was refurbished in 2012.

• Continue via Wilhelminalaan to junction 86 at the traffic circle.
• Continue to node 87 and 39
• Via the Gat, Lange Broekstraat and Bergenstraat along the St. Bavo church towards node 64.

The St. Bavo church is from 1888. Design of this cross basilica in neo-Romanogothic style is by architect Carl Weber. A characteristic feature is the high dome that looks somewhat disproportionate, because the two west towers were never finished due to lack of money. From 2010 - 2011, the church was extensively restored.

• Walk via nodes 64, 63 and 57 along the Lambertuskerk towards node 58.

The Lambert Church was founded before 1273 by the Bishop of Liege. Around 1350 this little church was provided with a tower and about a hundred years later with a new choir and two transepts. Until 1610 the church was Catholic, then Protestant. The church no longer has a function for worship, but is used for exhibitions, concerts, etc.

• From node 58, follow nodes 59, 89, 88, 85 and 86.
• Via the St. Jozeflaan, Heereplein and Haven towards node 9.

On the left the OLV Hemelvaart church, built after the previous church was damaged beyond repair in WW2. After the bombing, the gilded statue of Mary stood undamaged on the rubble. It now stands above the main entrance. Design of this traditional cross church with side tower is by architect Kees de Bever.

• Walk from node 9 back to the starting point: node 14.

End of the route.