NIEUWE KERK

Description

Essentials about the Nieuwe Kerk in brief

The name of the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) is absolutely misleading, because the church on central Dam Square, consecrated in 1409, is by no means new. After the Oude Kerk (Old Church), Amsterdam’s first place of worship, became too small for the city’s rapidly growing population, the bishop of Utrecht gave his consent for the construction of a second church. Thus, paradoxically, the Nieuwe Kerk is Amsterdam’s second oldest church and is “new” only in relation to the Oude Kerk. Nowadays, however, the church is no longer used as a place of worship, but as an exhibition space and venue for concerts.

The history of the Nieuwe Kerk

Construction of the Nieuwe Kerk began in 1408 on land previously used as a tree garden in the west of the city. The church was completed with the construction of the northern transept from 1530 to 1540. In 1565, construction of a tower was begun; however, the project was soon abandoned due to the Reformation turmoil.

The Nieuwe Kerk was damaged in several fires in 1421, 1452 and 1645. In the third fire, the damage was so severe that the church had to be completely rebuilt in Gothic style – but this time without towers. The interior of the church is relatively spartan and is dominated by the beautiful carved wooden pulpit, the bronze choir screen, the large stained glass windows and the huge main organ.

The use of the Nieuwe Kerk

In the 1970s, the Dutch Reformed Church could no longer raise the funds to maintain the church, which is why the Nieuwe Kerk is no longer used as a place of worship today, but as an exhibition space and venue for organ concerts. However, the most important events in the church are still the coronation and wedding ceremonies of the Dutch kings and queens. Since 1814, the Nieuwe Kerk has been the coronation church of the Netherlands. The last royal highlight was the wedding of Prince Willem Alexander, heir to the throne, to Maxima Zorreguieta in 2002.

Inside the Nieuwe Kerk are the tombs of some of the Netherlands’ greatest sailors, such as Michiel de Ruyter, Jan van Galen and Jan van Speyk. The famous Dutch poet and playwright Joost van den Vondel also found his final resting place here. There is also a museum store in the church and a café in a neighboring building.