De Westerkerk in Amsterdam is the greatest Protestant church of its kind in the Netherlands. It is a few steps away from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. So, here is everything about this amazing church in Amsterdam.
1. Westerkerk: One of Amsterdam’s icons
The Westerkerk (The Western Church) is Amsterdam’s largest church and a most significant Protestant church. Besides it was constructed between 1619 and 1631. While the Westerkerk Tower (Westertoren), the church’s bell tower, continues to be Amsterdam’s pride and is widely considered the city’s symbol.
Besides, the Amsterdam city council ordered the construction of the Western Church as a Protestant church. Hendrick de Keyser and his son Pieter de Keyser, architects, created and constructed it in the Dutch Renaissance style.
2. Rembrandt’s burial place
Rembrandt van Rijn was interred in a rented cemetery here in 1669. This grave’s precise location is unknown. In 1906, to mark the 300th anniversary of this birth, a memorial plaque was erected on the church’s northern wall, next to the grave of Rembrandt’s son Titus.
3. Westerkerk Tower (Westertoren)
Additionally, the Westertoren is the city’s tallest tower, at 85 meters high. The city government, not the church congregation, is the tower’s owner. This was true of every tower built in the 17th century because they were used specifically as fire department observation posts.
4. Can you visit the Western Church?
The Westerkerk Tower was kept as public property, and now, on all significant city holidays, a big national flag is flown from its summit. You can also tour the Westerkerk and take in its distinct, understated interior, which is typical of all Dutch protestant churches and bears evidence of its illustrious past.
You can also climb the Westerkerk Tower during the tourist season to take in its balcony’s wonderfully distinctive view over Amsterdam.
5. Days for visits
All year long, tourists are also welcome at Westerkerk. Besides, visitors are welcome at Westerkerk Tower from April through October. On Sundays, both the church and the tower are off-limits to tourists.
The church holds a liturgical service every Sunday at 10.30 a.m. Because of the superb acoustics of the church, Westerkerk is frequently used as the location for classical music events. So, for the program, see their website.
6. Opening hours
On weekdays, excluding Sundays, Westerkerk is open from 11 am until 3 pm. Westerkerk Tower also offers guided tours from June through September from 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. But it is closed on Sundays.
Every thirty minutes, a tour departs. It is advisable to book your spot on the trip in advance during the busy tourist season, and while you wait, take a quick stroll in the nearby Jordaan neighborhood.
7. Is Westerkerk free?
It costs nothing to see the Westerkerk. However, it costs €7 to take one of the tours to the top of the Westerkerk Tower. The tower is also not accessible to children under the age of six for safety concerns.
A unique guided tour of the Westerkerk and the Westerkerk Tower can also be scheduled for €85 outside of the regular opening hours.
8. Westerkerk Carillon Concerts
Every Tuesday from 12 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Westerkerk Tower’s carillon concert on 42 bells is played throughout the neighborhood. You’ll frequently be shocked to hear well-known tunes, such as works by The Beatles, played aloud in a church.
9. How to get there
The Anne Frank House and Westermarkt are on opposite sides of the Prinsengracht canal from where the Westerkerk is situated.
- By bus: Tram lines 13, 17, or buses 170 and 172 can also be taken from Amsterdam Central Station (Westermarkt/Anne Frank House stop).
- By car: If traveling by automobile, leave the A10 Ring at the S105 exit, turn right, and continue straight ahead up to the Bloemgracht canal, ignoring the signs instructing you to turn. Once on Bloemgracht, the Westertoren will be directly in front of you. Besides, parking meters can be challenging here or at Q-Park Europa Parking, 250 Marnixstraat.
