Author Archive for Jan H. Jansen

Old John church, Velp, Netherlands

In the southern part of the village of Velp (near Arnhem, The Netherlands) we find a beautiful old church from the 11th century called Old John church (Oude Jan kerk).

Now it is located between new houses, situated in a small park; but long time ago it was in the middle of meadows influenced by the river Ijssel (side branch of the river Rhine).

Click to enlarge photo Oude Jan kerk, Velp, Netherlands, 01.2010

What is so special about this small (protestant) churh?

Very striking is the beautiful old mural, in 1949 edited by Jacobs Co.,  with the text of the Ten Commandments. Also three large stained-glass windows, written by Johan Mekkink, ask attention. Very special is the bell in the bell tower: in 1678 poured the famous bell-founder Peter Hemony from Amsterdam this bronze bell.

The  bell  survived  the  fire melts of the German World War II, when many bronze bells  were converted into cannons and bullets. Source: http://www.vriendenvandeoudejan.nl/folder.php

When you walk around the church in winter, spring, summer or in fall it is a nice atmosphere to recollect your thaughts from busy everyday life.

Fall in the Veluwe national park

What I like about the Veluwe? Sometimes when I walk I feel like walking in the Sahara, beautiful woods in California or the Russian taiga. But after half our walking I can see we live in Holland: houses with antenna’s or just the motorway. The end of a nice day dream.

Information about the Veluwe national park:

The Veluwe is a forest-rich ridge of hills (1100 km²) in the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands. Continue reading ‘Fall in the Veluwe national park’