Page 59 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

THE HIST OR Y OF THE NE THERLANDS  57

Where to See Calvinist
Netherlands
Strict Calvinism can be found
in the Netherlands’ “Bible belt”,
which stretches from Zeeland
and southeastern South
Holland via the Veluwe to
the cape of Overijssel and
Drenthe. The strict Sunday
worship, black clothes and
head coverings when
attending church, as well
as abstinence from modern
developments (such as
television and vaccinations),
Pieter Saenredam (1597–1665) painted unrivalled pictures are gradually disappearing.
of the plain Calvinist churches – this one is Interior of the Sint- However, when visiting such
Odolphuskerk in Assendelft. areas, do remember that
photography and driving are
still not looked upon kindly
in Reformed Church villages.
These communities are closed,
with strong social controls.
Calvinist villages worth visiting
are Goedereede (see p245), in
South Holland, and Staphorst
Priceless
stained-glass (see p324), in Overijssel, as well
windows are as the former Zuiderzee island
systematically of Urk (see p330), where older
smashed to people continue to wear
pieces. traditional dress.
The leaders of
the Iconoclastic
Riots came from
all classes of the
population. In
addition to
fervent Calvinists,
there were also
paid helpers and
all kinds of
hangers-on
who used the
opportunity
to do some
plundering.
Early to Church by A. Allebé

Clandestine Churches
When, in 1597, the Union of Utrecht proclaimed mandatory Calvinist
services throughout the Netherlands and Zeeland, a blind eye – in return
for payment – was turned to other confessions. Catholics, Remonstrants
and Mennonites held their services in secret churches, which were
unrecognizable as such from the outside. They were generally held in
town houses, although later they were held in secret churches that were
built for the purpose, particularly in Amsterdam, with De Zon and De
Rode Hoed. The St Gertrudis kapel (1645) in Utrecht and Ons’ Lieve Heer
op Solder (1663, now the Amstelkring Museum) in Amsterdam are the
Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder finest surviving early examples of these institutions.

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