⛪ Oude Kerk (Amsterdam)
Netherlands
About This Sacred Site
The Oude Kerk (Old Church) is the oldest building in Amsterdam, consecrated in 1306 and dedicated to Saint Nicholas. The Gothic church sits incongruously in the center of the Red Light District and has served as both a Catholic and (since 1578) Protestant church. It contains one of Europe's finest collections of medieval wooden ceiling paintings, three historic organs, and the grave of Rembrandt's wife Saskia van Uylenburgh. Today it also serves as a contemporary art exhibition space.
Key Facts
- •Consecrated in 1306, it is the oldest surviving building in Amsterdam
- •The painted wooden ceiling is one of the largest medieval wooden vault paintings in Europe
- •Rembrandt's wife Saskia van Uylenburgh is buried here (Rembrandt himself is in the Westerkerk)
- •The church has three historic organs, the oldest dating to 1658
- •Located in the Red Light District, creating one of the city's most famous juxtapositions
Location
Coordinates: 52.3740, 4.8983
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