Grote of Sint-Maartenskerk

The Grote or Sint-Maartenskerk of Zaltbommel is a large basilica with a three-aisled nave and a single-aisled choir and is considered one of the most important examples of Lower Rhine Gothic. It is now a Protestant church.
The oldest part of the church is the 14th-century chancel, which was built at the time to expand the predecessor of the current church, which has been elevated to the rank of collegiate church. This choir is lower than the nave and also differs from the rest of the church in style. The construction of the first church was started by Bishop Bernold or Bernulphus who built a Romanesque cruciform church on the site. Excavations in 1981 and 1984 revealed the presence of this church when foundation remains were found under the floor. In 1303 the building was elevated to the status of a collegiate church with ten canons. The choir together with the so-called Pig Tower are the only remains of this church. The present basilica was built in ca. 1450 and was completed in ca. 1500. In 1572 Zaltbommel was taken by the Sea Beggars. The chapter was then dissolved and St. Martin's Church became a Reformed church building.

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