Westerkerk — Attraction in Amsterdam

Westerkerk (free enry) is a large 17th-century church on the banks of Prinsengracht (canal) and Westermarkt in the city centre of Amsterdam. It is located next to the popular Anne Frank House and makes for a nice church visit if you are interested in these type attractions. Opening hours are 10am to 3pm (Mon-Fri) and 11am to 3pm (Sat) and entry is free to the public.

Historically, Westerkerk is one of the churches designed by architect Hendrick de Keyser after the Dutch Reformation in the late 16th century. It was completed in 1631 in Dutch Renaissance style. This is particularly evident in the beautiful and decorative bell tower, which is topped by steeple that resembles the Crown of Maximilian of Austria.

The interior by comparison is rather simple, as is typical of reformed Protestant and Calvinist churches in the city. A delightful Duyschot organ, chandeliers, and unassuming pulpit more or less round off the churches basic interior. Spend a few minutes browsing the open nave and two side aisles and that should be sufficient for a general visit to the church.

Outside Westerkerk is a small market area with a couple of shops and kiosks. You will see a statue of Anne Frank just next to the church as well as the Homo Monument on the bank of the Keisersgracht (canal) behind Westerkerk.

Note: If you want to get a good look at the tower, make your way up or down Prinsengracht 40-50 metres. From these positions, you can take photos that include the church and bell tower.

Note: The Westerkerk tower (Westertoren) is open to the public if you want to climb to its top for views of the city. Check the website for updated times and prices...

I had a horrific experience with the tower staff, we came to the tower tour and was told by a staffer that bags are not allowed up, so i showd him my shoulder small bag that contains personal belongings and he approved it! Accordingly we bought 4 tickets and waited 50 minutes to our turn. Meanwhile another staffer came to the disk and asked us to present our tickets wich he took. And when the time was due he asked us to leave the bags including the small one, we explained that the other staffer approved the bag and that we bought the tickets based on that knowledge. He was so rude as not to hear us and kept interfering and only stating that the other staffer didnt approve this. We asked for the other staffer and he refused to call him, later he called him and spoke with him in Duch, we asked to be refunded and he refused, we asked him to call his boss and he refused. At the end we were so frustrated with his attitude that we asked for our tickests back and he also refused! We asked for his name and were given his name reluctantly. A few minutes later the first sraffer came and said that the bag thing was a misunderstanding!!!! I told him that his misnderstanding cannot bind the clients, and that he should honor his word!!! I will send their boss an email detailing more embarresing words told to me by the staffer, and if things dont work...

The church is open daily only for a limited time. It is quite beautiful outside and the bell rings every half an hour. It's right next door to the Anne Frank house and on a lovely plaza commemorating victims of gender orientation prejudice. Being the church where royal weddings take place and the initial resting place of Rembrand, we were eager to visit, pleasantly surprised by the opportunity for an organ concert, plus the instrument was restored a few years back. We went for the Wednesday lunch organ concert, but were a bit late and found the door was locked for the entire concert duration. Once it opened, I observed the faces of all attendees - none appeared touched by the performance, perhaps the divine emotion was replaced by the profane donations that followed it. Donations are compulsory and the House of God feels so commercialised with the souvenir stand inside the church and the hot drinks machine facing the altar - right in the middle of the presumably quiet area for private conversations with God and for contemplating. The church is renting commercial space outside and has enough room in its lobby for a shop at the entrance. So sad and...