De Oude Kerk

One of my favorite stops in Amsterdam! De Oude Kerk («the old church») is the oldest building and church in Amsterdam. And it’s stunning. And very worth the entrance fee to explore the gorgeous interior of the church.

Although the architecture is ancient and somewhat interesting, I would not pay to return here since much like the New Church this place is used for art and performance art-​related exhibits and is no longer a functioning church. As a result it felt cold, empty and bare. I do not remember explanations as to what the church was used for in the past and save for visiting the resting place of Rembrandt’s wife, the 800-​year-​old building felt like a waste of time. Although the building can be rented out for cultural and entertaining-​related activities, one should only visit here is they are interesting in the specific exhibition being held at that time.

Um diese sehr alte kleine Kirche tummeln sich die nicht allzu attraktiven, käuflichen Damen in Schaufenstern. Dieser Kontrast ist einfach sehenswert.

This was one of the highlights of my recent trip to Amsterdam. I love how simple and modest it is compared to many of the churches I have been to from the same time period. It is almost as if the reported Dutch modesty and lack of showiness has manifested itself in this quietly decorated place of worship.
Besides for being able to have a nice visit with Rembrandt’s Saskia, the highlight of my visit was the getting a private little tour of the prayer booths from the man who treats them with bees wax. He took time to show my friend and me around, pointing out all of the proverbs depicted on the seats, and how they related to Dutch life in the 15−17^th centuries. Totally awesome!

Pretty church that is used a bit today. Some interesting things like stairway to heaven and wooden clad ceilings.

Diese Kirche ist das älteste, erhaltene Bauwerk von Amsterdam. Man zahlt hier allerdings 7,50 € Eintritt, aber das was man innen sieht entschädigt. Fast pompös erscheint die gewaltige Orgel von 1724, die 1869 saniert wurde. Ebenso gewaltig ist der Kuppelgang und die Zweitorgel anzusehen. Erwähnenswert sind die bunten Motiv Fenster die ein buntes Licht im Innenraum zeigen. Man findet innen viel Sehenswertes. Besonders Bodenplatten und Wand Gedenktafeln. Diese Kirche liegt direkt am Rotlichtviertel, so dass Freier ihren Besuch bei den «Damen» eventuell sofort beichten können. Aber die Kirche wird auch von vielen Touristen besucht.

Under construction and had a weird AV art exhibit in it. Just ok. Not really worth 10e unless you have a museum pass and it includes this.

For the first church started in Amsterdam it’s in great condition inside and out. Like many churches in Amsterdam it’s no longer used for religious services but mainly for exhibitions or special events. Regardless, it’s architecture is notable and inner features are quite beautiful. It’s interior and exterior are massive. Owing to Dutch attitudes towards tolerance it sits inside the Red Light District with more than a few windows of the Red Light District facing the back wall of the church. In addition there is now a small courtyard on the outside of the church where you can lounge and get coffee, tea and desserts.

Again, this is something you should make time for, particularly if you have the Museumkaart. With the card, admission is free.
The church is, of course, beautiful. You’ll be able to appreciate the masonry and grand organ as you walk around. And, make sure you head over to the far side of the church to pay your respects to Saskia, Rembrandt’s wife. Her stone is well marked and easy to find.
When I visited they had an interesting exhibit about the end of relationships. People had submitted letters, items, photos and a letter describing their love affair, and how it ended. It was surprisingly interesting, and sometimes moving. I’ve read through the other reviews here, and they mention fashion exhibits, etc. So, it seems no matter when you go, you’ll have something to look at in addition to another grand organ.

Yeah for old building and fabulously interesting architect!
It is at the edge of the red light district, near a canal, and nearly centrally located.
The internal of the church has huge ceilings, an amazing organ, it’s nice to just be able to walk around and enjoy it!
Note: there is a fee to enter the church. But the museum card does get you in
Note2: they do have many random art exhibits. During our visit it was a «Museum of Broken relationship» pretty creepy and weirdly voyeuristic view into people’s personal lives and failed relationships!

Not quite sure what to make of this place. Several friends of ours said we should stop by while walking around the Red Light District. We were underwhelmed compared with other European churches we have visited, and found it to be a very strange place. For some reason, the church was having an unexplained fashion/​art exhibit. It was strange to say the least, it included what we think was a snake skin dress in a glass case, among other things.
There is some beautiful stained glass and a very intricate organ, but not really worth the 5 Euro admission fee.

Étudiante en histoire de l’art, j’ai trouvé très intéressant la visite de cette église, nous faisant part tant de l’art qui s’y trouvait que des changements sociaux en matière de religion au cours des siècles!

This building is Amsterdam’s oldest and it is the oldest parish church, consecrated in 1306. If you are a history nut, a visit to Amsterdam is not complete without seeing this building. Rembrandt’s family used to visit here, and would be the only original building remaining from his time in Amsterdam. The church on the inside feels like a hallowed out shell. The roof, floor, and stained glass windows are original and breath taking. The floor is is made up of 10,000+ graves. So it feels a bit weird as you are walking through and around. When we were there we had to pay an entrance fee because there was some exhibit going on. The exhibit I found was distracting and I think I would have enjoyed the church much more if it wasn’t for the presence of the exhibit. The exhibit was highlighting great works of photo journalism from this past year. The photos were quite graphic in nature in showing photos from world catastrophes and wars. Definitely worth a quick visit to see a piece of history left standing.

As an atheist, you wouldn’t think churches would be at the top of my list when visiting Europe, but they almost always are no matter where I go. The architecture and history and feel inside old churches… I can’t quite describe it. In Amsterdam, we visited the Nieuwe Kerk first, and it’s hard to really capture the feeling there since it’s been converted into a museum — there’s not really a great vantage point where you can stand back and take it all in. I was so glad I got that opportunity in the Oude Kerk. Despite being in the middle of some excavation/​renovations, it is beautiful inside and with plenty of room to stand back and drink all of it in. It’s hard not to imagine how people back in the 14^th century must have felt when it’s still so breathtaking today. I especially loved the carved floors (although watch out when you’re walking — I almost twisted an ankle accidentally stepping on an uneven carving) and exploring what the earliest date was I could find. It seemed a bit incongruous in the middle of the red light district, but hey — there was a guy in there drawing pictures of prostitutes, so at least they’ve embraced where the church is today!

The entrance fee is too high. You wont see so many figures and the chapels are almost empty — no figures or paintings…

Älteste Pfarrkirche Amsterdams, Mitte des 13. Jahrhunderts wurde mit dem Bau begonnen, zunächst als dreischiffige Basilika, die im Laufe der Jahrhunderte ständig erweitert wurde. Die Kirche blickt auf eine sehr lange Orgeltradition zurück, bereits im 15. Jahrhundert hing eine Orgel an der Turmmauer. Im Jahre 1539 wurde eine neue Orgel angeschafft, die der berühmte Organist Sweelinck bespielte. Später kamen weitere Orgeln hinzu. Im Dezember 2009 fand eine Restaurierung des Chores statt und es war nicht geheizt bei meinem Besuch. Es fanden auch keine Orgelkonzerte statt, für die die Kirche berühmt ist. Schöné Fenster mit Glasmalerei und beeindruckender Chor.