Ascend the tower of Nijmegen's magnificent 13th-century Stevenskerk for sweeping views over the Waal valley, then explore a church twice destroyed and twice reborn — a testament to Dutch resilience.
What to expect
Enter through the soaring Gothic portal and let your eyes adjust to the grandeur within — a nave rebuilt stone by stone from post-war rubble, its modern stained glass a deliberate counterpoint to the medieval bones. Climb the tower's winding staircase to emerge above the rooftops, with the Waal curving westward and the Ooijpolder stretching to the horizon. On carillon concert days (typically Saturdays), you may hear the bells ring from just metres away — an extraordinarily rare acoustic experience.
Good to know
The church is a 12-minute walk from river-cruise moorings. Tower climbs may have age/mobility restrictions — confirm in advance. Saturday carillon concerts are a bonus if your port call falls on a weekend. The adjacent Grote Markt is ideal for a post-visit terrace lunch.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Nijmegen — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.