Maartenskerk, prison and Noormannenpoortje

In the heart of Doorn stands the Maartenskerk, which has been there for centuries. Previously, there was a wooden chapel, owned by the bishop of Utrecht, as evidenced by a document from the ninth century. Since 1126, the church has belonged to the chapter of Saint Martin of the Utrecht Cathedral. This explains the name of the church.

In the twelfth century, the wooden church was replaced by a tuffstone building. This Romanesque church now forms the nave of the current church. On the north side of the Maartenskerk, we can see the former entrance, the so-called Noormannenpoortje. It is now bricked up. Just like the two openings: a round and a square one. These are the so-called hagioscopes.
The brick tower on the west side probably dates from the thirteenth century.
The Romanesque choir was destroyed by the soldiers of the duke of Gelre. This presumably happened in 1420 during the time of the Hook and Cod wars. Shortly after, the construction of a larger choir in Gothic style began. It was built of brick, but remnants of the Romanesque choir were reused in the process. Around the same time, the sacristy was built on the south side of the choir. Later, it became the vestry; nowadays it is the chapel of silence.

Over the centuries, various alterations have taken place. The number and shape of the windows have changed multiple times, as can be seen in old prints. After the Reformation, the altar was removed. The choir was closed off by a partition wall. Against this, in 1666, the beautifully crafted pulpit was built. The statues also disappeared. Fragments of them were used to pave the tower floor. They were uncovered during the restoration in 1996. After conservation, they were placed in display cases in the vestry. They garnered much admiration there. Because the display cases did not provide sufficient protection, they were removed during the redesign in 2011. They will likely be on display in the Museum Catharijneconvent in Utrecht in the future.
Also, in the 19th and 20th centuries, various adjustments and renovations took place. The church houses several special works of art. The famous Utrecht firm Bätz built the organ in 1873, with an oak case in Neo-Gothic style.

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