The Kerk Grotto in Haarlem
The Protestant Grote Kerk Church (aka “St. Bavokerk”, St. Bavon’s Church), a former Catholic cathedral, serves as the main decoration of the central market square of Haarlem. Despite its impressive appearance, the church is not the main one in the city — the Catholic Church shares this function with it.
St. Bavon Catholic Cathedral in Haarlem
The Catholic Cathedral of St. Bavon began to be built in 1895 to replace the old church of St. St. Joseph’s Church, which, in turn, replaced the Grote Kerk, which was converted into a Protestant church from a Catholic one in 1578. St. Joseph’s was made a cathedral in 1853.
Haarlemerhout Forest Park
This amazing forest is the oldest public park in the Netherlands. It is located on the south side of the city, on the same sandy causeway as the Haagse Bos parks in The Hague and the Alkmarderhout in Alkmaar. It is said that initials carved by Napoleonic soldiers have been preserved on old trees.
The Taylor Museum
The Taylor Museum is dedicated to art, natural history and science. Opened in 1778, it remains the oldest in the Netherlands. The historical core of the museum is the famous Oval Room, which was built behind the house of Peter Taylor van der Hulst, a wealthy clothing merchant and banker.
Franz Hals Museum
The Franz Hals Museum in Haarlem was founded in 1862. It originally occupied the restored premises of the Dominican Church, located behind the Prinsenhof Town Hall. In 1950, the museum’s collections were divided into two parts.