’s-Hertogenbosch (Bois-le-Duc) was founded in 1185 by Henry I of Brabant and became in 1815 the capital of North Brabant. The Gothic Church of Sint Jan (St John) was built from the end of the 14th to the 16th century on the site of a 13th century Romanesque Church.

Construction of the first St. John’s church is thought to have started in 1220 and to have been finished in 1340. It was built in romanesque style, and stood on the same spot where the St. John now stands. St. John’s started as a parish church for the whole of ’s-Hertogenbosch. It was dedicated to St. John Evangelist. In 1366 it became a collegiate church.

In about 1340, building began to extend the church. This was done in the Gothic style that now dominates the exterior. The apse chapels and outer choir aisles were constructed first. The transept and choir were finished in 1450. By 1505, the Romanesque church had largely been demolished, leaving only its tower. Construction of the Gothic St. John was finished about the year 1525. In 1559 St. John’s became the cathedral of the new diocese of ’s-Hertogenbosch.

Binnendieze is the common name for all rivers and canals inside the city walls of ’s-Hertogenbosch. Near the north-west tip of the city walls, the confluence of the Binnendieze with the rivers Aa and Dommel forms the short river Dieze, tributary of the Meuse.

Map: ’s-Hertogenbosch
Map: ’s-Hertogenbosch