Page 36 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Amsterdam

34 ❯❯ Top 10 Amsterdam Highlights

Oude Kerk

The city’s oldest monument and first parish church stands on the
site of an early 13th-century wooden chapel that was destroyed by
fire. Rebuilt as a small stone hall church in the 14th century, over
the years it expanded into a mighty Gothic basilica, now in the heart
of the Red Light District (see p81).The interior boasts some
exquisite stained glass, rare ceiling paintings, and a world-famous
organ and regularly hosts art exhibitions, performances and
debates. It is dedicated to St Nicholas, patron saint of the city.
Stained Glass
3
of the
Burgemeesters
The colourful stained-
glass windows flanking
the chancel depict the
arms of the city
burgomasters from 1578
to 1807 (left). One was
designed by De Angeli in
1758; the other by Pieter
Jansz in 1654.
Great Organ
4
With its eight pairs
Spire
1 of bellows, magnificent
oak-encased pipework,
From the graceful
late-Gothic spire, built marbled wood statues
by Joost Bilhamer in and gilded carving, the
1565, there are splendid great organ is a glorious
views over the Oude sight. Built by Christian
Zijde. The tower contains Vater in 1724 and
a 47-bell carillon, a renovated by Johann Oude Kerk
17th-century addition Caspar Müller 14 years
Red Door
that rings out every later, it is known as the 5
Saturday afternoon. Vater-Müller organ. into the
Old Sacristy
Ceiling
2 Rembrandt famously
The massive wooden vaulted ceiling (below)
passed through this
is claimed to be the largest in Western Europe, but door to announce his
it was only during restoration work in 1955 that the marriage. “Marry in
beautiful 15th-century paintings were revealed. haste, repent at leisure”
is inscribed above it.
Little Organ
6
Attractively painted
shutters form the
original casing built in
1658 – however, the
pipework was replaced
in 1965. It is tuned as it
would have been before
1700, so early Baroque
music can now be part of
the organist’s repertoire.

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