Uitlegginge van de wijdberoemde en vermaarde glazen, binnen de voortreffelijke en vermaarde St. Janskerk te Gouda - Vondel, Joost van den 1587-1679; Pierson, Christoffel 1631-1714 (Gouda Verblaauw, 1813)
In 1681, Gouda printer Dirck Bockhoven printed the first guidebook to the glass stained windows of the Sint-Jans kerk of Gouda. This is one of the oldest and longest publishing tourist guides in Dutch. Until the end of the nineteenth century, this booklet was adapted and reprinted. The Uitlegginge is also fairly quickly translated into German, French and English for foreign tourists. Each glass is accompanied by an explanation in poem form.
Despite the proper and careful maintenance, by the mid 18th century the stain-glassed windows of the St.John Church were in a dilapidated state, having taken their place for up to two hundred years in some cases. From 6 October 1749, the church's doors closed during the day and visitors could only be allowed entry if they payed a three-penny entry fee, a source of income to finance the restoration. If they wished, a 'glass explainer' leads them around.
Ten dienste en gerief, zoo voor de Inwoners dezer Satd, als voor de Vreemdelingen, die dit konstig Werk komen te aanschouwen. Vermeerdert met veele schoone zinryke Vaarzen, opgesteld door voorname Auteurs; en een Gezang op aller Glazen inhoud; nevens een Verhaal van den Brand derzelver Kerk in den Jaare 1552.
Keywords: 19th Century (1801-1900); 17th Century (1601-1700); Tragedy; Poetry; Architecture; Interior design; Applied arts; Church; Fine art; Gouda (Netherlands)