Nederland - Bergen, Ruïnekerk

The Ruïnekerk (Ruin Church) is dating back to the second quarter of the 15th century and was built on the site of a smaller pilgrimage chapel, which was built after the so called ’Miracle of Bergen’ in 1422.

At time of the construction the church was the largest in the province of North-Holland. Originally it was a Gothic church, dedicated to Peter and Paul. In 1574, during the Eighty Years War against Spain, the church was looted and burned down by Dutch protestants troops ‘De Geuzen’. The tower was lost completely, but the rulers of Bergen prevented the eventual destruction of the other remains, parts of the outer walls of the nave and the walls of the choir with its flanking chapels. The choir was rebuilt in 1594-1597 to serve as a reformed church.

Nowadays the church is still used for religious services and other cultural events. The Ruïnekerk is the landmark of the village of Bergen, located right in the heart of the town.