Tower Of AA Church, Groningen, The Netherlands Stock Photo

Der Aa-kerk or A-kerk is a church from the Middle Ages in the centre of the dutch city of Groningen. Originally there was a chapel situated on the site of the current church, devoted to Mary and to Saint Nicholas, the patron of the bargees who cast off the vessels at the Westerhaven (Westerharber). In 1247, the chapel became the parish church and was named Onze Lieve Vrouwe ter Aa (Our Lady at the Aa) - Aa being the nearby river, where the fishermen and the traders lived. Between 1425 and 1465, the chapel was changed into a brick church with a transept.