Zwolle: Broerenkerk Historic Tour With Local Guide｜Netherlands

Begin your journey at the Dominican Monastery, a Roman Catholic mendicant order. Learn how a group of people gathered to use faith responsibly and organize services without heresy. In 1465, the Dominicans founded the Broeren Monastery on the Eiland, a narrow strip of land north of the old city center but within the city canals. When the church was built, services were organized every Sunday. The church was used by the Dominicans until 1580.

The Broerenkerk, which belonged to the monastery, survived the Iconoclasm, but in May 1580, the city council forced the monastery to leave the city under pressure from the Protestants. After standing empty for a long period, the Protestant church took over the Broerenkerk in 1640 for its services. This lasted until 1983, after which the church was restored for five years. During this restoration, a number of speculative vault paintings from the early 16th century emerged from under the thick plaster layer, which can still be admired today.

Between 1988 and 2010, the church was used as an exhibition space for cultural events. After a massive renovation, Waanders took over the church as a bookstore in 2013 under the name Waanders in de Broeren. Since a few years ago, it is now Van der Velde. The church also includes a three-story building that stands apart from the nave around the central axis between the historic organ and a modern stained glass window. On the top floor, 11 meters high, the tentacle frescoes can be admired. An elevator can take visitors to the top floor. The bookstore also includes a grand café in the area under the stained glass window.