In the heart of Amsterdam, within the modern walls of the OLVG hospital, lies the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kapel. This isn’t the first chapel to bear this name. A previous chapel, demolished in 1987, served the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, a hospital dating back to the 14th century. The original Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kapel and Gasthuis stood near Nieuwendijk. Archaeological digs suggest the Gasthuis might even predate the Sint Elisabethgasthuis, first mentioned in 1361. This older Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kapel served as the local church until the Nieuwe Kerk took over in 1408. This transition impacted the Gasthuis’s funding, leading to a period of decline. After the Alteration, the Gasthuis patients were moved to Sint Pietersgasthuis, and the old buildings eventually made way for homes and, later, the Cinema Royal, which closed in 1976.
Now, let’s step into the present-day Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kapel. This modern chapel, consecrated in 2001, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of faith and healing. Its Romanesque architecture evokes a sense of history, drawing inspiration from churches in France, Italy, and Spain, particularly the Abdij Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy in Rochefort and the Monastery of Chevetogne. The design by EGM architects, who also worked on other parts of the hospital complex, incorporates religious symbolism. The three aisles represent the Holy Trinity, seven arches symbolize completeness, and twelve wise men stones embody all people.
As you enter, notice the labyrinth carved into the floor, mirroring the one in the San Vitale church in Ravenna. It represents the journey of life. The altar, a simple block of stone, holds two altar stones from the first OLVG chapel, containing relics of the early Christian martyrs Fortunatus and Fidelius. To the right, the Mariakapel invites you to light a candle before the icon of Mary. To the left, a niche holds the holy oils used for anointing the sick and baptizing newborns. The adjacent baptistery celebrates resurrection, symbolized by the Resurrection icon, the Easter candle, the baptismal font, and a vibrant window.
Look around at the captivating artwork within the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kapel. Icons adorn the walls, including one of Saint Nicholas, Amsterdam’s patron saint. A Christus icon, a gift from the hospital staff, portrays Christ in the ancient Mandylion style. A late 18th-century icon of the Mother of God of Tichvin depicts Mary pointing to her son, his exposed foot symbolizing humility. Admire the four stained-glass windows installed in 2009, created by artist Monica Rotgans. Three lancet windows grace the east wall behind the altar, in the Mariakapel, and by the baptistery. A rose window adorns the west wall. The colors reflect traditional religious symbolism and the function of each space. Rotgans also crafted other artworks, icon frames, and the chapel’s color scheme. A bronze Pietà hangs above the intention book near the entrance, a place for quiet reflection. In the baptistery, an urn holds the ashes of a Sister Onder de Bogen, who served at the OLVG. A golden arch on the urn represents their order. In the chapel garden, a monument honors these sisters, with original gravestones bearing their names.