The Sint-Martinus Basilica, referred to as the Grote or Sint-Martinuskerk until 2018, is a Gothic church building on the Grote Kerkstraat in the center of the Dutch city of Venlo. The floor plan of the three-aisled hall church was drawn up between 1410 and 1610. The church tower dates from the 1950s and with its copper spire and onion-shaped crown is a landmark in the city. The Sint-Martinuskerk is the deanery of the Roman Catholic deanery of Venlo. The patron saint of the church is Martin of Tours. Since 2018, the church is a basilica minor.
The Sint-Martinus Basilica has a special floor plan. It is a three-aisled hall church, of which the south aisle is slightly longer and the north aisle on the west side is narrower and also lower. The three naves each end on the east side in a choir and apse. The three naves are intersected about halfway by a transept, which is hardly recognizable as such in the interior. On the north side, the transept marks the point where the north aisle narrows; on the south side is a chapel, which serves as a baptistery. On the west side of the nave is the square church tower.
The Sint Martinuskerk is a Catholic church in the municipality of Venlo that, apart from spiritual food, also provides other services to the municipality. You can take test in the church with a guide. This person will tell you about the place this church occupies within the community. As a tourist you can contact one of these guides and further agree when these tours can be done. You are always free to visit this breathtaking church unless there is no Holy Mass.
As early as the year 1000, a church dedicated to St. Martin of Tours stood on this site. The first foundation probably dates back to the 8th century. The present hall church took shape in the late Middle Ages. Over the centuries, the church has acquired several towers with different spires. Each time, these towers fell victim to wars and catastrophes. The last destruction occurred in 1944-1945. The current tower was completed in 1953.
Translated by Google •
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