Old Church
|
Reviewed by:
Leighton
Rating:
|
Living up to its name, the Old Church of Amsterdam, to the locals known as the Oude Kerk, is indeed the oldest church in town. Sanctified in 1306, the building itself is located in Oudekerksplein square, in Amsterdam’s Red Light District. The church has three pipe organs, all of which were built well before the 19th century.
Buried inside the church is the body of celebrated organist and composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck. Sweelinck was famous for being a leading Dutch composer and having spent his lifetime performing at the Old Church. Among others buried inside the historic building are Amsterdam regents Jacob de Graeff Dircksz, Cornelis de Graeff, and Andries de Graeff. Also inside Old Church you will find the grave of Frans Banning Cocq, the central figure in Rembrandts masterpiece The Night Watch.
Every year in March, Catholics come to Old Church to celebrate “The Miracle of Amsterdam”, an event that took place in 1345, involving a man who was miraculously cured of a terminal illness by Holy Sacrament and last rites. Today Old Church is also used for other regular religious and cultural activities, including parties, receptions, presentations, and the annual World Press Photo awards ceremony. In 2007, the statue Belle was installed at Old Church to honor the prostitutes of the world.
This is not a stuffy old church you might be more familiar with then....
Category: Historic Site
Maybe you might also be interested in:
| St. Nicholas's Church - 0.2 mi | |
|
Positioned in the very heart of Amsterdam, the Church of St. Nicholas (Sint Nicolaaskerk) reflects the structural innovation of famous architect Adrianus Bleijs. The church’s appearance and layout is a... Reviewed by: Editorial Staff |
| Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk - 0.6 mi | |
|
The Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk) in Amsterdam was built between 1852 and 1854 as a Roman Catholic oratory church. It still operates regularly, and is one of the more important buildings... Reviewed by: Editorial Staff |
| Computer Museum - 0.2 mi | |
|
The Computer Museum at Netherlands is known as Stichting Computermusem. The museum-depot is located at Binckhorstlaan 251 te Den Haag, Binckhorstlaan 251 at The Hague.The building was formerly known as "Dutch Aviation... Reviewed by: Editorial Staff |
|
Connect with Facebook