What to do · Muiden and Naarden
Grote Kerk Naarden and Its Painted Vault
Information
- From
- €8 per adult
- Duration
- 1 h
- Season
- All year, with hours that change according to season and concerts; at Christmas 2026, Monday to Saturday 11:00 to 17:00 and Sundays 13:00 to 17:00
- Who it's for
- All ages; under 18s free
The Grote Kerk, or St Vitus Church, has dominated Naarden since 1479. What makes it unique is above you: a wooden barrel vault painted around 1518 with scenes from the Old and New Testaments, the only one of its kind in the Netherlands, which has earned it the nickname Sistine Chapel of the North. It is also a concert hall, famous for the St Matthew Passion sung here every year, and since November 2026 a registered museum.
Visit and tower
Entry to the museum, with a musical audio guide, costs €8; with the tower climb, which starts in a small cinema about a pilgrim of 1469, it is €15, and you must book a time slot online. Under-18s do not pay and children can do the tour with Tyto, a talking owl. Opening times change with the season and the concerts: check the website before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the Sistine Chapel of the North?
Because of its wooden vault painted with biblical scenes in the early 16th century.
Do I need to book?
For the tower, yes, with a time slot; for the museum it is not necessary.
As a familyWith teenagers
