Page 86 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

84  A MSTERD A M

a Oude Kerk

The origins of the Oude Kerk date from the early 13th century,
when a wooden church was built on a sand bank. The present
Gothic structure is 14th century and has grown from a single-
aisled church into a basilica. As it expanded, the building
became a gathering place for traders and a refuge for the poor.
Paintings and statuary were destroyed after the Alteration in
1578, but the gilded ceiling and stained-glass windows remain.
The Great Organ was added in 1724, and there are two other
fine organs in this lovely church, also home to the tomb of
Rembrandt’s wife, Saskia.
The Oude Kerk Today
The old church,
surrounded by shops,
cafés and houses, remains
a calm and peaceful
haven at the heart of the
frenetic Red Light District.

. Great Organ (1724)
Vater-Müller’s oak-encased organ
has eight bellows and 4,000 pipes.
The 54 pipes of the magnificent
organ front are gilded.
1955–99
1330 Church 1462 First Restoration 1979 Church
consecrated side chapel 1658 Carillon installed of church reopens to public
to St Nicholas demolished
1412 North to build 1552 Lady 1724 Great 1951 2014 Renewal of
transept south Chapel Organ installed Church entrance and exit
completed transept added closes
1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100
1500 Side 1578 Calvinists
chapels added triumph in the 1912–14
1340 Church 1566 Spire Alteration Partial 2011–12 Floor
restoration
is restored
enlarged added to Stained-glass of north-
1300 Small stone 13th-century coats of arms in west corner
church built tower Lady Chapel
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp396–7 and pp406–9

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