The Oude Kerk

The church dates back to 1213, making it over eight centuries old. Originally, it was a small wooden chapel at the point where the Amstel and IJ rivers merge, primarily serving the fishermen who made up the main population of the nearby districts.

Throughout its existence, the Oude Kerk has witnessed several uprisings, survived fires, and destruction, and has been looted but stood resilient. For more than 800 years, it has been a symbol of faith, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of the people of Amsterdam. The church grounds contain about 2,500 burials of nobility and bohemia, and about ten thousand graves of unknown citizens, sailors, and fishermen.

Rembrandt frequently visited the Oude Kerk, where he baptized all his children. It is the only building in Amsterdam that has remained unchanged since the time Rembrandt visited. The Holy Sepulchre hosts a small exhibition of Rembrandt's works and the tomb of his wife Saskia van Uylenburgh, who was buried there in 1642.

The church acquired its current appearance recently. In 1951, the dilapidated building was closed due to the threat of collapse, and extensive reconstruction began four years later, finally reopening in 1979.

The church covers an area of approximately 3,300 m². Its foundations were set on an artificial mound, considered the most solid ground in this marshy province. The ceiling of the Oude Kerk is the largest medieval wooden vault in Europe, with Estonian oak planks dating back to 1390, known for some of the best acoustics in Europe. The Oude Kerk contains 12 misericords, leaning posts installed under folding seats.

The interior is austere and devoid of any decor, typical for Calvinist churches, but some windows feature 16th-century stained glass. The floor is covered with hundreds of tombstones, under one of which, easily identifiable by a marker, lies Saskia, Rembrandt's first wife, who died in 1642 shortly after giving birth to their son Titus.

The church has three organs; an old church organ built in 1658, a cabinet organ built in 1767, and the third created by German native Christian Vater in 1724, considered one of the best Baroque organs in Europe.

Today, the Oude Kerk serves as a center of both religious and cultural life, offering space for presentations, receptions, and formal dinners. Among the events held in the church is the prestigious World Press Photo international award ceremony.

Part of the Oudekerksplein, the alley surrounding the church, is used by prostitutes offering their services from behind windows. On this street, there is also a bronze relief of a hand caressing a woman's breast, installed one night by an unknown artist. In March 2007, a bronze statue titled "Belle" was erected in honor of prostitutes worldwide.