Grote of Sint-Martinuskerk, Venlo

Posted by MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 11 May 2009 in Architecture and Portfolio.

One nice thing you have in Europe is: once you're fed up with the events at home, you might enter the next train and after an hour or so you're entering a different region and get some new impressions.

This is the nave of the 15th century Martinuskerk (St Martin's church) in Venlo, Netherlands (map). Like so many other former Hansa cities, Venlo too provides traces of an almost absurd splendor, as there are a castle-like town hall, many old town houses, and many nice streets for sauntering about.

Download my coffee-table book of selected postings here. Enjoy!

Comments (17)

Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand

ooo I love these images ms!!! Fantastic work:-)

11 May 2009 7:21am

@Linerberry: Especially nice were these lights in the keystones!

Jhani from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

great composition.. i think this is vertical pano.. is it ?

11 May 2009 1:05pm

@Jhani: No, I didn't stitch anything here, this is one 'solid' photograph. :-)

Steven from Chicagoland, United States

I love the color and ambience that you have captured here. And the lighting still afforded the sunlight to show through the stained glass. That pulpit's "canopy" is huge!

11 May 2009 2:37pm

@Steven: I finally found the term for this pulpit cover: it's an Abat-voix. Light outside was so-so, it was quite bright, but no direct sunlight. The light coming from the vault was much better and provided a beautiful atmosphere.

dj.tigersprout from New York City, United States

so much space at the top -- beautiful, ornate -- love the mood!!

11 May 2009 3:05pm

@dj.tigersprout: I was also surprised, I didn't expect such a beautiful church there. Next part in two days.

António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal

Well photographed. A well proportioned church.

11 May 2009 4:36pm

@António Pires: Its proportions are just right, I didn't even had to change my lens. :-)

Nicolas from Paris, France

I like the composition; it's simple but really efficient;

11 May 2009 7:59pm

@Nicolas: Thanks very much, Nicolas!

MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom

I love your photographs of church interiors MS, they have so much depth and height to them and such beauiful light.
Thank you for your get well wishes, i'm feeling a little brighter today :)

11 May 2009 8:49pm

@MaryB: Good to know, Mary, summer is too precious for being sick! :-)

Jen from St. George, United States

The light here is just splendid! Great job capturing it! And the composition is great too!

11 May 2009 10:04pm

@Jen: I wished more churches had these lights in the vaults!

Ted from South Wales, United Kingdom

Excellent job on both colour and light...you make it look so easy!

11 May 2009 10:29pm

@Ted: Agreed, I'm doing this kind of shot quite often. :-)

observing from North West, United Kingdom

This is one that I really like MS, the color of the stone and lighting gives it a warm appearance. The stained windows are also beautiful; a proper church.

11 May 2009 10:43pm

@observing: Extremely proper, many churches in Germany look sleazy in comparison! Will investigate this one further, the stained glass windows were great too!

Jen from Alpharetta, United States

Beautiful Tranquil Light

12 May 2009 1:03am

@Jen: With one exception the best illuminated church so far!

JoeB from Brampton, Canada

The ceiling is heavenly.

12 May 2009 1:45am

@JoeB: A very cozy appearance, indeed!

PD from Overland Park, Kansas, United States

Very nice! The ceiling goes on forever. ISO 1600 - looks great!

12 May 2009 2:57am

@PD: I'm carefully experimenting with Noise Ninja. :-)

DarkElf from Perth, Australia

that's a superb indoor shot of the church! very good composition and perfect exposure that really reflects the feel and aura of these places! superb work!

12 May 2009 5:29am

@DarkElf: Many thanks, DarkElf! Unfortunately we had only a few minutes for taking some shots, but we'll be there again soon. This church needs further investigation! :-)