Old Nicolaas Church

Built around 1307, this late Gothic church has a pseudo-basilican nave with an ambulatory. In the early 14th century, Gijsbrecht van Amstel, the first Lord of IJsselstein, received permission from the bishop to build a church close to his castle. This church was dedicated to Sint Nicolaas in 1310. Besides the castle, the Sint Nicolaaskerk was the town's most important building.

Church tower
The church tower appears in every architecture book. Italian architect Allesandro Pasqualini built it in 1532, commissioned by the baron of IJsselstein, Floris van Egmond. This is the oldest and first Renaissance building above the Alps. The baron immediately made a virtue of necessity by having a small additional tower built on the side with its own entrance. Here people could be put on water and bread in five 'dungeons'. And to reinforce this, a stone pillory was bricked on the corner of the church. Very special is the spire installed in 1924 to the design of Amsterdam School master builder Michel de Klerk.

Cathedral tombs and Van Vulpen organ
Inside the church, there are also many beautiful things to see, such as the cathedral tombs of Gijsbrecht van Amstel and his wife Bertha van Heukelom and of Aleida van Culemborg, and the 23-voice organ, built by the Utrecht-based Van Vulpen.

Open for viewing and summer organ concerts
From April to September, the church is open every Saturday from 14:00 - 16:30.
During the summer months, organ concerts take place on Saturday afternoons. These Summer Organ Concerts start at 2.30pm.

Afternoon IJsselstein Half-hour Bach
Every first Saturday of the month from October to June inclusive, you can enjoy half-hour Bach. A concert by city organist Gerrit Christiaan de Gier in collaboration with changing musicians.

Climbing tower
On Open Monumentendag, you can climb the tower of the church and enjoy unique views of the city and region.

Tour
Interested parties can visit the church on other days (not Sundays) with a guide from UIT in IJsselstein on request. More information via UIT in IJsselstein I Tourist Info.

Church services
Two church services are held every Sunday. The morning service starts at 10 am and the evening service at 6.30 pm.