Vaste Burchtkerk Fortress Church
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The substantial tower of this church rises proudly above the Van Coehoorn forest, which is named after the strategist and fortress builder Menno Van Coehoorn, who is buried in a spectacular mausoleum in the church.
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The substantial tower of this church rises proudly above the Van Coehoorn forest, which is named after the strategist and fortress builder Menno Van Coehoorn, who is buried in a spectacular mausoleum in the church. In the intimate interior of the church there is also an epitaph to members of Menno’s family. Other features in the church include an organ built in 1900 and hooded gentlemen’s benches, the largest of which inevitably belonged to the Van Coehoorn family.
From the outside it is clear that the tower and the church date from different periods. The tower was built in the 15th century and is disproportionately large in relation to the church, which was built in 1671. The gables of the saddle roof were replaced the same year, as can be seen from the difference in the colour of the bricks.
Mausoleum
The marble mausoleum in the church in which Menno Coehoorn is buried was designed by Daniël Marot (1663-1752) and made by the Amsterdam sculptor Pieter van der Plas (1647-1708). Menno lies on a black marble sarcophagus decorated with a relief of a siege. He is depicted as a soldier and around him are tools of war, including the Coehoorn mortar which he invented.
Here you will find Vaste Burchtkerk Fortress Church
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