An Amsterdam Church with Stunning Views
Climb the Zuiderkerk's Tower for a Different Look at the Capital
Aug 17, 2008
Amsterdam owes a great deal of its prosperity to its seafaring past. It is hardly surprising then that it should have four churches each named after one of the directions of the wind. One of these, the Zuiderkerk (South Church), was the first Protestant church in Amsterdam after the Reformation. The main reason to visit the church, however, is its graceful tower. Open to visitors during the summer months, it provides spectacular views over the city.
A Long History
Situated in the Nieuwmarkt area just off Sint Antoniebreestraat, the Zuiderkerk was designed by the architect Hendrick de Keyser, who would also design the Noorderkerk (North Church) and Westerkerk (West Church). It was built between 1603 and 1611 in the Renaissance style, and the tower was completed three years later in 1614.
At the end of the 17th century, the church’s original stained glass windows were replaced with transparent glass to allow more light in. After 1929, the church ceased holding services and in 1968, the Amsterdam council took over the building. After extensive renovations in the 1970s, the church reopened in 1988 as an information centre for public planning and housing.
The church itself has been stripped of most of its religious trappings and is now a functional space (with a very high ceiling). The Oude Kerk (Old Church), which is located in the nearby Red Light District, has a much more interesting interior. However, it is possible to climb the Zuiderkerk’s tower, and this is what makes a visit here worthwhile.
Climb the Tower
Guided tours of the tower take place every half hour in the summer months (see Visitor Information below for more details). The ascent to the viewing gallery at the top of the tower is by way of a narrow, winding staircase that passes through different floors. Each floor has an interesting feature with accompanying history of its own.
The first floor houses a carillon. This musical instrument resembles an organ in the sense that it is played using a combination of a keyboard, struck with the fists, and pedals. The difference is that the keys activate levers and wires connected to a set of at least 23 bells. Playing the carillon requires great skill and hard work as ringing the larger bells demands quite some physical force. For anyone passing by the tower on a Sunday, listen out for the carillon, which is played between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The second floor contains an example of the old clock that used to hang on the outside of the tower, and which would have been wound up daily by the watchman; while the third floor contains the church bells.
At the top of the steepest flight of stairs is the external viewing gallery. This runs round all four sides of the tower and provides spectacular views over Amsterdam. On a clear day it is possible to see the Royal Palace on the Dam, Central Station, the striking green NEMO science center building shaped like the bow of a ship and even as far as the Ajax football stadium
Visitor Information
The church is open to visitors Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is free. Click here for a map or call +31 (0)20 552 7987.
The tower is open between April and September from Monday through Saturday. Guided tours take place every 30 minutes from 12 p.m., with the last tour at 3.30 p.m. Entrance to the tower costs €6 for adults and €3 for children between 6-12 years. Call +31 (0)20 689 25 65 for more information or to make a group booking.
Looking for more things to do in Amsterdam? Find activities here and information on eating out here.
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