Nieuwe Kerk (Amsterdam)

The Nieuwe Kerk is a late Gothic basilica and after the Oude Kerk, the second oldest church in the Dutch capital Amsterdam.

History

The construction of the Nieuwe Kerk began early in the 15th century on a previously used as an arboretum grounds west of the growing city of Amsterdam. Main patron of the church was the Holy Mary. With the construction of the northern transept 1530-1540 the church was completed.

1565 started the construction of a tower; the project was soon abandoned because of the turmoil of the Reformation.

1645 the church suffered severe damage due to fire. The church was built in the reconstruction without towers. 1648-1665 the new town hall of Amsterdam, now the Royal Palace was built in the immediate vicinity.

In 1959 and 1980, the Nieuwe Kerk was carried across renovated. It is now used for temporary exhibitions and organ concerts.

Since 1814 she is the coronation church of the Netherlands. Inside it has graves of famous people, including the poet Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679) or the Admiral de Ruyter ( 1607-1676 ). On February 2, 2002 married in the church Zorreguieta Maxima and Prince Willem.

Organs

In the New Church there are two organs: the main organ on the west wall, and a smaller organ in the transept ( Transeptorgel )

Main organ

The main organ was built in 1655 by the organ maker Hans Wolff Schonat, and extended by the organ builders van Hagerbeer and Duschot already in 1673. The organ case was designed by Jacob van Campen. What is striking is the statue of King David with harp on the organ case. The instrument has 48 registers on three manuals and pedal.

See: List of organ registers for the individual names

Transept Organ

The Vierungsorgel dates from the 16th century. The instrument had the church fire of 1645 unscathed, and was rebuilt in 1645 by organ builder Germer Galtusz van Hagerbeer, and last renovated in the years 1986-1989 by the organ builder Flentrop. The instrument has 19 stops on two manuals, and an attached pedal.

Used literature

• Merian Issue 7: Amsterdam. Hamburg: Hoffmann und Campe (1978-1992), ISBN 3-455-27807-8