European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 25, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A stunning mix of architectural style by Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer. Most of the splendid churches of Europe Are centuries old. One exception is St. Bavo s Cathedral in Haarlem built at the turn of the Century. Quot it is a very Young Church Quot says Church Warden Anthony Halman. The reason for the Church s comparative youth is linked to the history of the Netherlands and the Sci religious upheaval of the reformation. The original St. Bavo s Cathedral a gothic masterpiece dating from the 15th Century is in the City Center on the groote Markt. Like Many Catholic churches in the Netherlands it was taken Over by the dutch reformed Church after the country s conversion to protestantism. Today the downtown Church is referred to As the groote Kerk great Church or St. Bavo s Kerk. The new St. Bavo s Cathedral the main portion of which was constructed Between 1895 and 1906,. Resumed the original Cathedral s functions As diocese Headquarters for the Region s catholics. Haarlem has Many impressive architectural landmarks but St. Bavo s Cathedral is the most stunning. The reason is a combination of its sheer size a 330 feet Long and 140 feet wide a and construction style. From the outside the Cathedral resembles a huge fortress. There is nothing delicate about its formidable Brick Walls turrets and slate Shingle roofs. At the East end clusters of round towers a their conical roofs thrusting skyward at varying Heights a nearly obscure the apse two rectangular towers flank the main Entrance at the West end. Commanding the surrounding neighbourhood and towering Over the whole Structure is the Clpola a massive Copper sheathed dome Green with Verdigris whose spire reaches nearly 200 feet. The Cathedral s Interior gleams with Cobalt Blue Crimson and Lavender Light from sunlight streaming through the Many splendid stained Glass windows. Though the Church itself is not old it has a display of religious artefacts in its Schatzkamer treasure chamber that Date to the 16th Century. Even to an untutored Eye it is obvious that the Church s architecture fits no specific period or school it is part gothic part romanesque part modern and part undefinable. A for its size the Cathedral has a Small congregation. Halman estimates about 500 people a week attend services. Possibly because of its comparatively recent origin St. Bavo s Cathedral gets Short shrift in most guidebooks. But it is Well Worth a couple of hours. Some 10,000 tourists visit it every year. The Church is located at the West Edge of town at Jos cuypers Plein. It is open for visitors 9 30 . To noon and 2 to 4 30 . Daily april through october. Free guided Tours in English Are available for groups Quot and people alone when we have the time Quot Halman says. Free Organ recitals Are held every saturday from april through september. Masses Are held daily at 8 30 ., 9 . And 7 . And sundays at 8 30 ., 10 . And. Noon. The Side exterior of St. Bavo s Cathedral shows its variety of building styles including below the traditional twin towers and Large stained Glass window at the main Entrance. April 25, 1991 stripes Magazine 7 7