Saint John the Baptist Church, Waalwijk

All projectsSaint John the Baptist Church, Waalwijk

A New-Byzantine Atmosphere

Netherlands

Rising gracefully above the heart of Waalwijk, the Roman Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist is one of the Netherlands’ most striking architectural landmarks. Erected between 1923 and 1925 and affectionately known simply as St. John, the church was designed by architect Hendrik Willem Valk as a bold interpretation of Byzantine grandeur. Today, it remains the largest Neo-Byzantine church in the country, combining the grandeur of Byzantine architecture with distinctive Amsterdam School influences visible in its expressive brickwork and refined detailing.

Its silhouette is unmistakable. Nineteen shimmering copper domes and a soaring, minaret-like bell tower dominate the skyline, lending Waalwijk an unexpectedly exotic and monumental presence. Inspired by the great masterpieces of the Byzantine world—including the sixth-century Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and San Vitale in Ravenna—the church embraces the principles of centralized planning, creating a composition that is both monumental and harmonious.

Inside and out, St. John is a celebration of architectural ambition, where historic references are reimagined through early twentieth-century craftsmanship. Recognized as a Dutch national monument since 1993, the church continues to serve not only as a place of worship but also as a vibrant cultural destination. Since 2020, it has formed part of the Largest Museum of the Netherlands initiative, welcoming visitors for guided tours, concerts, lectures, and community events.

Year

2026

Location

Waalwijk, The Netherlands

Lighting design

Arjen van der Cruijsen Lichtontwerp

Distributor

LUXIUS

Pictures

Arjen van der Cruijsen Lichtontwerp

While the basilica was only temporarily illuminated in blue a few years ago, Waalwijk Council, the town-centre management organisation Welkom in Wolluk, and the parish council have since decided to make the installation permanent.

Today, the basilica forms part of the Waalwijk's Wet Blue Route, a light-based trail that tells the story of Waalwijk through a series of illuminated landmarks. Historic buildings across the town are dramatically highlighted in the same symbolic shade of blue, a reference to the shoe and leather industry that has shaped Waalwijk and the wider Langstraat region and is still part of the local DNA.

The lighting scheme was designed by AVDCLO, a Dutch design studio specialising in sustainable, energy-efficient and bespoke lighting solutions for public buildings, monuments, and private properties. Led by Arjen van der Cruijsen, the agency developed a permanent illumination concept that now bathes St John’s bell tower in a distinctive blue glow throughout the year.

Working alongside our preferred regional partner - Luxius -, the project team selected the Capital 200 RGBW luminaires equipped with narrow-, medium- and ultra-spot optics for installation on poles positioned around the church tower. This carefully calibrated arrangement ensures a uniform blue illumination that extends seamlessly to the very top of the structure.

Additional Capital 100 and Capital 200 fixtures, together with Jupiter B luminaires in a static 2700K white configuration, were used to define the contours of the basilica’s great central dome and the many smaller domes that surround the main body of the church. The interplay between the cool blue of the tower and the warm white accents on the domes highlights the building’s remarkable silhouette while reinforcing its status as one of Waalwijk’s most recognisable landmarks.

Products installed:

2x CAPITAL 100 B 2700K with medium optics ON/OFF with beehive filter and snoot BLACK RAL 9005

4x CAPITAL 100 B 2700K with wide optics ON/OFF with snoot and bee-five filter, BLACK RAL 9005

3x CAPITAL 200 RGB+W 2700K DMX-RDM with medium optics, snoot, BLACK RAL 9005

3x CAPITAL 200 RGB+W 2700K DMX-RDM with narrow optics, snoot, BLACK RAL 9005

5x CAPITAL 200 B 2700K with narrow optics, snoot, BLACK RAL 9005

1x CAPITAL 200 B 2700K with medium optics, snoot, BLACK RAL 9005

4x CAPITAL 200 US RGB+W 2700K DMX-RDM, snoot, BLACK RAL 9005

5x JUPITER B 2700K ON/OFF BLACK RAL 9005

1x WALL-TSC

1x INFRARED REMOTE CONTROL

1x IP65 WIRELESS DMX TRANSMITTER