Rijswijk

A visit to Rijswijk, to the local museum, on a very cold and windy day: a perfect day for a museum visit. 

 

Most churches in Holland are locked during the week, especially in winter. But to my delight the “Oude Kerk”, the historic church, was open because cleaners were inside polishing the woodwork and washing the floors. I had never been inside, and was surprised by the wooden ceiling, a barrel vault, which was beautifully decorated. It reminded me of the “Oude Kerk” in Naarden, which has a similar ceiling, although there the paintings on one side tell the story of the Old Testament of the Bible and on the other side of the New Testament.  Of course no lights were on, so the pictures of the big organ and of the choir are not that wonderful. But I was happy to be able to see this church. What was also unusual and which I have never seen before was the decorative woodwork over some of the doors.

 

Although it was cold, the grass around the church was dotted with colourful crocuses, which unfortunately decided it was too cold to open their petals. Still, a sure sign of spring!

Beautiful decorations over the doors

 

The museum was quite interesting. Apart from a photo exhibition about Rijswijk from 1895 -1920, there was an exhibition about crowns and royal headgear throughout the world, and an amazing exhibition of cut out flowers and trees made from paper and other materials, by the artists Marian Smit & Maurice van Meijel .

 Fascinating paper art

 Paper leaves, trees and flowers

 And a very delicate wall hanging

We spent more time than anticipated in the museum, and in some of the local shops, which was fine. So next week we intend to visit the companion exposition about crowns in Schoonhoven, which is the ‘Silver Town’ of Holland. We had better leave our wallets at home.

The church seen through one of the windows of the local museum