Kloosterkerk The Hague

Where Fahrenheit is buried

Jenny from The Hague

"The history of "Kloosterkerk" in The Hague, my neighborhood's church, goes back in time, but a little known fact is that it's where Fahrenheit is buried!"

Twice a year, I get up early to visit the church in my neighborhood, the Kloosterkerk. Not for religious reasons, but because I don’t want to miss their fantastic second-hand fair. I just love to roam around the church, hoping to find something special.

The history of this church goes back to the 15th century, when a convent (a ‘klooster’) was built in this location. The convent is long gone, but the church remains, although it was destroyed and rebuilt a few times. The church enjoys some fame in The Hague. This is the church that our former queen, Beatrix, used to attend. The church is also well known for its Bach services. Every last Sunday of the month a Bach cantate is performed during mass.

A few years ago, when visiting the church, I made a charming discovery. It turns out, Daniel Fahrenheit, inventor of the mercury thermometer, was buried here. Apparently, Fahrenheit, originally born in Germany, lived in The Hague for most of his life. It’s amazing that hardly anyone knows about this. A little bronze plaque in the church hallway and a street with his name are the only reminders he used to live here. In my opinion, he deserves more than just this little monument. After all: Fahrenheit also invented a temperature scale that's still used in the United States.

The Kloosterkerk is open to visitors in spring and summer. The bronze plaque can be found on the left wall of the hallway.

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The Hague Spotter Jenny

About me Although I grew up in a small village, I've always been a 'city person'. I just love the feeling that there is always something going on, just around the corner. I've lived in the city of The Hague for just over twenty years now. My perfect day? Leave for work on foot, meet on the way for a coffee with friends, plan a lunch date and end the day meeting my loved ones on a terrace near the canal where I live. I work in communications, and even in my spare time I love to write. My favourite subject: new places I discovered and that I can't wait to share! W...

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Oct 5, 2025

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