Oude Kerk

Peace and dignity radiates from the oldest building in Amsterdam: this site featured a wooden chapel in the 13th century and the present church was built in the 14th century. In the course of its many years of history the church has been rebuilt and redesigned numerous times and chapels added but the original Gothic appearance has been retained. The church is dedicated to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of seamen. In 1634 Rembrandt prepared for the marriage to his wife Saskia in Oude Kerk and she... was also buried here in the Weitkopers Chapel after her death in 1642.
Inside, it's worth a glance at the huge impressive organ from 1742. This was made by the Hamburg organ maker Christian Vater. Listening to a concert on this brilliant instrument is a very special experience. The choir stalls which have withstood all the fires, destruction (e.g. the iconoclasm of the 16th century) and renovations date from the end of the 15th century. The undersides of the seats are decorated with carvings, or misericords which illustrate proverbs, for example. The colourful stained glass windows date from the 17th to 20th centuries. more