Oude Kerk Amsterdam — Attraction in Amsterdam

Oude Kerk (The Old Church) is located in the heart of the city centre and has a history that dates back over 800 years. There is an entry fee to enter and browse the church. It was 7.5 euro the last time I visted.

Originally a medieval chapel and Roman Catholic church, Oude Kerk was reformed to a Calvinist church as part of the Dutch Reformation in the 1578. Ransacked and defaced during these turbulent times, the church was left with little of its former self. Oude Kerk was left with simple and humble decor, typical of Dutch Calvinist churches. This is what you can see during visits today.

As part of visits to Oude Kerk, there is a playful audio guide that walks you through the church and tells quite a bit of its history. This helps prolong visits to Oude Kerk, offering background, context and points of interest to what you will see.

Interesting things to see at Oude Kerk include the Great Organ in the back of the church, Maria Kapel and its lovely stained glass windows, the stained glass of the Burgemeesters, the wooden choir chairs, high wooden ceiling and grave of Rembrandt's first wife, Saskia. Amongst a few other parts of the church that are explained in the audio guide, you can conveniently and comfortably visit Oude Kerk in 60 minutes. Without the audio guide, probably 30 minutes will suffice.

Overall, Oude Kerk is an important attraction historically and its nice to enter and visit. You can combine with a visit to the interesting Museum Ons' Lieve leer op Solder house church nearby as well as St. Nicholas Basilica both in the general vicinity.

Note: Interestingly, Oude Kerk no longer accepts cash payment for entrance. Be ready to pay with credit/debit card when buying your...

I was so excited to go here and showed up to see this beautiful building. We paid our money and were told after the fact 'don't step on the gold sheets' as it was part of an exhibition.

This church has a number of amazing carvings on the floor with historical significance. They were nearly entirely covered up by literal sheets of stupid gold foil which had tiny spaces between them to walk. It was absolutely ridiculous. For someone who is semi disabled I couldn't walk easily around and couldn't see the point of this 'exhibition' as there wasn't even any info about why it was there or what it signified.

Entry to the site was expensive and with the organ completely disassembled and also nearly the entire floor covered there was nothing to see in this church.

It was disgusting. I wanted to rip the gold foil off the floor. It was totally inappropriate in a place of worship. Every carving of historical significance was covered up by someone's 'art' - you know the type of 'art' that makes you feel like a 5 year old threw a bunch of stuff at something and you had to pretend to like it.

Don't even bother visiting this beautiful and amazing building until this ridiculous 'exhibition' is gone. Unless you literally want to see sheets of gold foil lining the floor.

I'm dead serious. It's a total waste of money at the moment and there are far better attractions to see...

The Oude Kerk, or Old Church, is a historic landmark located in the heart of Amsterdam's Red Light District. Dating back to the 13th century, it is the oldest surviving building in the city and serves as both a religious and cultural center. The Oude Kerk's distinctive medieval architecture, including its towering spire and Gothic interiors, make it a prominent fixture in Amsterdam's skyline and a popular destination for visitors.

Originally constructed as a Roman Catholic parish church, the Oude Kerk has undergone numerous renovations and modifications over the centuries, reflecting the changing architectural styles and religious practices of the time. Today, it serves as a Protestant church affiliated with the Protestant Church in the Netherlands.

In addition to its religious significance, the Oude Kerk also hosts cultural events, concerts, and exhibitions throughout the year, attracting tourists and locals alike. Its serene interior, adorned with beautiful stained glass windows, ornate wooden carvings, and historic artwork, provides a tranquil escape from the bustling streets of Amsterdam. As a symbol of the city's rich history and heritage, the Oude Kerk continues to be a cherished landmark and a testament to Amsterdam's enduring...