600 statues and a rare double row of flying buttresses
On the exterior, St. John’s Cathedral offers a striking example of the decorative fervor of Brabant Gothic architecture. What makes the building architecturally unique in the Netherlands is the double row of flying buttresses that support the nave and the choir. This structural masterpiece is found nowhere else in the country.
In total, some 600 stone sculptures adorn the exterior. The outer arches feature 96 unique flying buttress figures, ranging from artisans to mythical creatures. Hidden among these classical figures are also striking details, such as the 14th-century relief of the “Pea Man” and a 2011 sculpture of an angel holding a cell phone.
The hidden artistic treasures of the interior
The interior houses art treasures from various centuries. The oldest major object is a 350-kilo copper baptismal font from 1492, cast by Maastricht bronze casters and resting on six curved human figures.
In 1584, a lightning strike hit the wooden main tower. The resulting fire destroyed the tower and the roof of the nave. During the subsequent restoration, a stone dome was erected on the transept to replace the lost tower.
After the nave was rebuilt, a 20-meter-high Renaissance-style oak organ front was erected on the west wall in 1622. The newest element in the nave is a stained-glass window from 2007 by Marc Mulders, which incorporates not only biblical motifs but also depictions of the September 11, 2001, attacks.
How to get to the cathedral from Amsterdam
The cathedral is located in the center of Den Bosch and is easily accessible from Amsterdam:
- By car: The drive from Amsterdam takes 1 hour via the A2 highway.
- Public transportation: From Amsterdam Central Station, a direct Intercity train departs every 15 minutes for ‘s-Hertogenbosch Station (travel time: 50 minutes). From the station, it’s a 10-minute walk to the Parade.
