De Grote Kerk

The Great (or Jacobin) Church is one of the few traces left of what was once a large medieval monastery. Monks belonging to the Dominican order lived and worked here. The monastery was founded around 1245 and existed until the Reformation in 1580. It was the first monastery to be built in and near Leeuwarden. Many others followed in the centuries that followed. 

The church was originally part of the Dominican monastery founded in 1245. This was founded by the followers of Dominic (ca. 1170-1221), who were called Dominicans and also Jacobins.
Remains of the original 13th-century chapel are still present in the nave of the current church. Construction of a two-aisled church began around 1275 and was completed around 1310. Fragments of this church have been preserved, such as the choir, most of the nave and the north aisle.