Museum The Koepelkathedraal Haarlem

Welcome to the KoepelKathedraal Haarlem

The KoepelKathedraal Haarlem, also known as the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Bavo, is unique and ranks with the Sagrada Familia, the Sacré-Coeur, the Westminster Cathedral and the Basilica of Koekelberg in the top five of most important churches in the world built between 1850 and 1950. The mighty cathedral was designed by Joseph Cuypers and has 12 large and small towers and a dome of 65 meters high! The cathedral contains architectural styles such as neo-Gothic, neo-Romanesque, Jugendstil and style elements of the Amsterdam School and Berlage.

When you enter the KoepelKathedraal Haarlem, you enter a businesslike building, which gradually reveals a mystical character. The many symbolic elements are worked out in detail and support the solid character of the church and make it an interesting building. Although the church has many decorations, there is no excess, but all parts fit into the whole. The result is as the architect had envisioned: ‘a total work of art’ according to the prevailing views of the time.

The Towers

Via exciting spiral staircases you climb higher and higher through the towers to the light where the most beautiful view awaits you. Along the way you pass rooms with exhibitions about architecture or art, but also enormous church bells that strike every half hour.

The Dome

We take you via exciting spiral staircases, vaults and hidden attics to the dome at a height of 45 metres! You get an amazing view of the interior of the cathedral. And when you are back down, you imagine yourself in the mystical cathedral with its symbolism, art, architecture and organs.