π° The Sanctity of a Church Is Like This π
Discovered the treasure church Oude Kerk! The oldest church in Amsterdam, dating back to the Middle Ages. I passed by and went in for a quick look, only to be so captivated by its beauty that I was speechless and hadn't come out even after an hour. π Highlight 1: Oude Kerk has the oldest organ in Europe, built in 1742. I'm not sure if this organ is still played today, but one can imagine that the performance on such a massive instrument must feel like the presence of God. π Highlight 2: Every floor tile in the church is a tombstone with a number, some of which are ornately decorated and still legible. The Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre preserves the arrangement of tombstones and the names of the deceased. (However, the tombstones have worn unevenly, and a lady tripped me up 3 times.) π Highlight 3: All the furnishings inside the church are unaltered antiques. Stepping on ancient tombstones, sitting on the dark patina of the choir seats, looking up through the stained glass windows to see the blue sky and white clouds, and looking down to see the floor bathed in sunlight. The Church Warden's office has two 17th-century oil paintings of the church, with identical architecture and furnishings, and I've never felt such a deep connection with people from the past. This room has also been the place where Amsterdam residents have registered their marriages for centuries. π Admission: 13.5β¬ (free with a Museumkaart) Oude Kerk, while serving as a church and historical site, is also an art exhibition hall, with some installation art inside. I recommend experiencing 'Breath' (an air cannon) to feel the air of the church. #HistoricalArchitecture #DailyArtShare #Amsterdam #EleganceAndMystery #OudeKerk
