Oude Kerk

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Oude Kerk

The Oude Kerk (Old Church) was built in 1302 and is the oldest building in the city. The church began as a wooden chapel that over the years was expanded to become a large Gothic basilica.

In the heart of the Red Light District

Something that certainly surprises any traveler is the situation of the church: the Oude Kerk is in the heart of the Red Light District, surrounded by neon lights and countless women who are displayed in the windows. This shows us once again that Amsterdam is a liberal as well as religious capital.

The interior of the Oude Kerk church was left undecorated in 1566 because of the iconoclastic movement. At this time the Calvinists sacked Catholic temples and destroyed their paintings and statues.

It is important to pay attention to the enormous vaulted wooden ceiling that still conserves some paintings of the XV century, the precious stained glass that remain intact and its greater organ, an instrument that takes on even more importance due to the little decoration that is conserved in the church.
The most interesting church

Because of its curious location, history and its beautiful interior, the Oude Kerk church is a favorite temple of many tourists who visit Amsterdam.