Haarlem - Grote Kerk or St Bavokerk

Most of the interior furnishings of the church date from before the Reformation, including the choir and its lectern (1499), the beautifully carved choir-stalls (1512) and the brass choir screen (1509-17). In front of the former chapel of the seamen's guild hang three old models of Dutch warships, a 17th century frigate and pinnace and a 16th century armed merchant ship. The piers under the tower and in the choir are covered with 15th-16th century paintings depicting symbols of the Apostles, the guilds and church doctrine. In the choir are buried Frans Hals (d. 1666) and Lieven de Key. After the Reformation a small organ was installed in the choir in 1600, followed in 1679 by a pulpit carved by Abraham Snellaert. The pulpit is borne on eagles' wings (the eagle being the symbol of St John the Evangelist), and its brass rails are decorated with snakes, symbolizing Satan's flight before the Word of God.

There are regular organ recitals in the Grote Kerk on the church's famous organ built by Christian Müller.

Below the Müller organ is a monumental piece of sculpture (by Jan Baptist Xaverij, 1738), carved from a single block of white marble, with allegorical representations of Poetry, Music and Eternity.

The Statue in Grote KerkInternational Organ Competition in St Bavokerk is an International Organ Competition.

This annual competition runs through June and July.