Cunerakerk

Cunerakerk
Tower of the Cunerakerk
Basic information
Location	Rhenen, Netherlands
Geographic coordinates	51°57′25″N 5°33′51″E / 51.9570°N 5.5643°E / 51.9570; 5.5643Coordinates: 51°57′25″N 5°33′51″E / 51.9570°N 5.5643°E / 51.9570; 5.5643
Architectural description
Architectural type	Church
Architectural style	Gothic
Groundbreaking	1492
Completed	1531
Specifications
Height (max)	81.8 m (268.37 ft)
Designated as NHL:	Dutch rijksmonument #32453, #32454

The Cunerakerk is the main church of Rhenen, Netherlands. The church is large because in the Middle Ages it was an important pilgrimage. In the church were stored the relics of the Saint Cunera^[1][2] since the 8th century. The tower has a height of 81.8 meters.

History

The first church on site was dedicated to Petrus (before 11th century). In the 11th century the church was dedicated to Saint Cunera. A legend tells about her stay at the court of king Radboud in Rhenen. The church was built and enlarged in the 15th century. The tower was built from 1492 until 1531 and it's design is inspirated by the Domtoren in Utrecht.

Since the Reformation in 1580 the Cunerachurch is in use by the Protestants. The relics of Cunera are spread since then.

The church has often been damaged. In 1897 the tower burned and a restoration was done with a different spire (designed by Pierre Cuypers). During the next restoration in 1934 the roof burned down and during restoration of the roof a section collapsed. In 1940 the tower and church were damaged by war, and in 1945 it was again heavily damaged by the war. The building material used for subsequent repairs was so bad that in 1968 restoration of the tower was necessary again.

Interior

The Rood screen of the choir is build in 1550 in renaissancestyle. It is one of the few Rood screens still existing in the Netherlands. The rood screen is decorated with allegoric images of the three theological virtues Faith, hope en love. Part of the sculpture is gone. The choir stalls are cut in 1570.

• 

  The tower behind the Königshaus

• 

  The Rood screen of choir in the Cunerakerk

References

1. ^ http://www.narcis.info/publication/RecordID/oai:repository.ubn.ru.nl:2066%2F42002 Kunera. A Dutch saint and a database of badges and ampulla (2005)
2. ^ http://www.kunera.nl/ page with information about late medieval badges and ampullae

• Official website of the Cunerakerk

Dutch Rijksmonument 32453

Dutch Rijksmonument 32454