Nieuwe Kerk

The Nieuwe Kerk, the New Church, stands on Dam Square in the middle of Amsterdam, next to the Royal Palace, and it is both an active Protestant church and one of the main exhibition venues in the city. The name is a historical oddity, since it was built in the late fourteenth and fifteenth centuries to serve a growing city that had outgrown the Oude Kerk, and it was new at the time. It is a Gothic church, of the Brabantine type, with a wide nave and aisles, large windows and a wooden vault, and its position on the main square has made it the setting for many national occasions.

The church has been central to Dutch national life since the Republic. Since the nineteenth century it has been the place where Dutch monarchs are inaugurated, a ceremony that is not a coronation in the usual sense but an oath of loyalty to the constitution before parliament, and Queen Wilhelmina, Queen Beatrix and King Willem-Alexander were all invested here, the last in 2013. The wedding of Willem-Alexander and Máxima Zorreguieta took place in the church in 2002. Famous Dutch figures are buried inside, including the naval hero Michiel de Ruyter, whose monument is a highlight, the poet Joost van den Vondel and the poet and historian Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft. The great organ and the carved pulpit are further treasures.

Today the building is best known as an exhibition space. It hosts large temporary exhibitions in the nave and aisles, usually on art, photography or history, and the best known annual event is the World Press Photo exhibition, which is held here each spring and attracts large crowds. Other shows deal with themes such as the history and culture of the city, among them exhibitions on its queer history. The contrast between the old stone interior and modern displays is part of the attraction. Organ concerts and guided tours are available, and the church continues to hold services.

Practical points matter, because the church is closed on certain days, including some national holidays and for state occasions, and ticket prices vary with the exhibition, with reductions for young people and students. Payment is by card only, and booking online is recommended. The church is a short walk from Central Station, and it stands next to the Royal Palace, the National Monument and the shopping streets, as well as the Amsterdam Museum and the Begijnhof.

The church suits art and photography fans, history lovers and visitors who want to see a church used for new purposes. Allow one to two hours, depending on the exhibition.