Nieuwe Kerk is Amsterdam's new church.
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Nieuwe Kerk: article summary
Nieuwe Kerk: in brief
The New Church is Amsterdam's main church, located on the Dam squarenext to the Royal Palace.
It is open to the public as a church and exhibition space, and also hosts organ concerts and private events.
The church originally dates back to the 14ᵉ century, when the growing city needed a second church of the Oude Kerk (old church).
The church was then damaged several times by fire, and in 1645 was rebuilt in the Gothic style. after being almost destroyed.
It is used for royal weddings and inaugurations. On April 30, 2013, King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands were invested here, who were also married in the church in 2002.
Things to see at Nieuwe Kerk
Among the things to see, you can find :
- The magnificent large organ from 1655
- The large copper choir screen and stained glass windows
- Hundreds of funerary slabs on the floor (around 10,000 corpses are buried beneath the church)
- The tomb/crypt of the distinguished Dutch admiral Michiel De Ruyter (1607-1676) who, among many notable achievements, succeeded in freeing 26 Hungarian slaves.
The various celebrations at the site
Throughout the year, you'll find various celebrations that bring many Dutch people together.
The Netherlands celebrates Remembrance Day every May 4 to commemorate the victims of the Second World War. A televised service is held at Nieuwe Kerk, followed by a ceremony on Dam Square. with two minutes' silence nationwide at 8pm.
During the summer, the "empty" church can be visited, focusing on its medieval and royal history. It includes a number of multimedia exhibits. The event takes place generally from mid-August to the end of September.
Autumn sees the Nieuwe Kerk present a major thematic exhibition. It extends currently from October to early April.
Various popular exhibitions
The church has also hosted major exhibitions. These include :
- Magical Africa in 2014
- Emperor Constantine's dream in 2015
- Marilyn: 90 years of Miss Monroe in 2016
- We have a dream: Gandhi, Luther-King, Mandela in 2017
- Juliana's century, a queen and her ideals in 2022
Nieuwe Kerk: numerous masterpieces on site
2023 sees the return of the religious art exhibition. The various paintings on display are borrowed from a museum or private collection. The event runs from mid-February to early April.
Among the offers, you can see :
- Rembrandt's Holy Family
- The Last Supper by Andy Warhol
- In memory of George Dyer by Francis Bacon
- Calvary by Marc Chagall
- St Michael by Luca Giordano
Please note that the church is temporarily closed during the installation of the new exhibits.
What are the opening hours of the Nieuwe Kerk?
To visit the site, you can go to :
- Every day 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
How much does it cost to get in?
To visit the Nieuwe Kerk, you need to buy a ticket. The price varies according to the event on offer. For the World Press Photo 2023, for example, the ticket costs cost €15.50 for adults. For children aged 0 to 11, holders of the I Amsterdam City Card and the Museumkaart, admission is free.
How do I get there?
The Nieuwe Kerk is located on the Dam square, a few steps from the Amsterdam Central Station. Visit tramways 2, 4, 12, 13, 14 and 17 all stop at Place du Dam. You can also take the metro 52 to Rokin.
Nieuwe Kerk is one of the most important buildings to visit in Amsterdam. During your stay, you'll be able to discover many religious sites while visiting the city. However, there are a number of don't overlook Amsterdam's new and old churches.
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