Martinikerk and the 'tourist gaze'

The church Martinikerk is situated behind the tower Martinitoren (also known as d’Olle Grieze, which means 'the old grey') at the Grote Markt in Groningen. It was built around 1220 in Roman-Gothic style. During the 15^th Century, the church was expanded due to prosperous trade agreements.[1] Now, the Martinitower (with its height of 97 meter) is one of the most popular attractions in Groningen and is an essential part of Groningen’s identity. The Martinikerk is a much less popular attraction, although it is just as beautiful. How is this possible?

An explanation for the abovementioned phenomenon can be found in John Urry’s explanation of the ‘tourist gaze’.[2] This theory describes tourists as ‘collectors of sights’ when they travel in the ‘other’, someplace different than the place they are used to. Furthermore, tourists are people who gather sights which are considered typical for the place they visit. This consideration is founded on a somehow constructed symbolic framework. For Groningen, the Martinitoren is such a typical sight-to-see. This can be attributed to different reasons. Perhaps it has to do with the historicity of tower, however, the Martinikerk has been there for longer and it does not take in a similar place as a tourist attraction. It could well have to do with the fact that it is so present: it shapes the look of the Grote Markt, which is the biggest square in Groningen. In the end, the question remains why the Martinikerk is not a tourist attraction and the Martinitoren is.

- Tessa

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[1] "Martinikerk Groningen," Marinikerk, accessed January 30, 2016, http://www.martinikerk.nl/
[2] "Tourism," T. Edensor, accessed January 30, 2016, https://nestor.rug.nl/bbcswebdav/pid-7579190-dt-content-rid-7568789_2/courses/HCRWB0405.2015-2016.1B/READING%201%20Tourism-T.%20Edensor%20%28International%20Encyclopaedia%20of%20Geography%29%281%29.pdf