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Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a city of numerous churches. Amsterdam was an important city during the Protestant Reformation. One of the grandest churches is the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), which is located right next to the Royal Palace in Dam Square.
The church is not actually new at all, in fact it dates back to 1408. The reason it is called the new church is because it was the 2nd church built in Amsterdam. You can probably figure out that the 1st church must have been the Oude Kerk (Old Church). The old church was too small so the people of Amsterdam decided to build a new church. Today the new church serves as a cultural center and host many exhibitions. It was also the venue for many royal weddings. It also acts as the main church for any state functions.
Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam
Admission
Generally for adults it costs €5, children and visitors with the Amsterdam city card usually enter for free. Guided tours cost €90, with a maximum of 15 visitors. Tours are done in Dutch, English, French, plus German and Italian. Groups must make reservations in advance. These reservations can be made using the following e-mail address. Rondleidingen@nieuwekerk.nl.
Opening Hours
The church is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.
The church attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. There are audio tours and guided tours for visitors to the church, plus one permanent exhibition. The permanent exhibition shows the connection between the Church in the city of Amsterdam. Like Westminster Abbey in London, the church is very important to the royal family and the Dutch people. For instance activities such as the Remembrance Day ceremonies are held at the church.
The church also host many special organ concerts. One of the most popular concerts is the one that is held on Christmas day each year. The church contains 2 large pipe organs. The largest of the 2 takes up the entire wall of the church. In its early years the church acted as a public auditorium. Concerts organized to keep people out of the local pubs. The organs themselves make a trip to the church worth it.
The church is located about 5 min. from central station and can be reached by tram 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 16, 24, 25. When the church is hosting an exhibition there is a nominal fee for entrance. The church also has a Café that is open daily from 8:30 AM till 6 PM.