Westerkerk
The Westerkerk belongs to the Protestant Church in Amsterdam, between Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht canals, on the edge of the Jordaan, the well-known residential area in the city center of Amsterdam. It is located very close by as well as the Anne Frank House and the Gay Monument. The building stands as Rijksmonument under monument protection.
Architecture
The Westerkerk was by Hendrick de Keyser (1565-1621) designed in the Renaissance style and built in 1620-1631. After the death of the architect Hendrick de Keyser, who was buried in the Zuiderkerk, the construction under the direction of his son Pieter de Keyser (1595-1676) was continued. On June 8, 1631 Church of their provision was passed. It has a length of 58 m and a width of 29 m.
Detail: side view
West Tower
The tower of the Westerkerk is more famous than the church itself This is mainly because that the west tower of the area is clearly visible and is therefore often described (for example in the Diary of Anne Frank, who could hear the chimes from her hiding ) is and sung. It bears the nickname "Long Jan" or "The Old Wester ".
The tower is 85 m high and thus the highest church tower in Amsterdam. In the summer months you can climb it up to the first platform. From February 2006 until May 2007, the tower has been restored and can be visited again since then.
The spire dates from 1638 and has bells of François Hemony. It concludes with the imperial crown of Maximilian I. from. Probably the Rudolf crown, the later Austrian imperial crown, this crown was modeled. After Maximilian I and the Keizersgracht was named to the Westerkerk is located on one side. This was in 1489 the city of Amsterdam allowed to lead his crown in the emblem, so that the spire thus also shows a part of the coat of arms of the city.
Inside, equipment
Looking through the church to the organ
View of the altar table
Memorial candlesticks
Grave monuments
In the northern part 1669 Rembrandt van Rijn was buried. Built in 1906, A plaque commemorates it. Rembrandt's son Titus and his mistress Hendrickje Stoffels are buried in the church.
Other painters who are buried in the church, are Nicolaes Berchem, Gillis Claesz. de Hondecoeter and Melchior de Hondecoeter.
Even on a native of Franconia chemist and apothecary Johann Rudolf Glauber, after Glauber's salt is named, is a commemorative plate.
Organ
The main organ dates back to an instrument that had been built in 1686 by the organ builders Roelof Barentszoon Duyschot and John Duyschot. This instrument had two manual divisions and pedal work. 1727 was the instrument by the organ builder Christian father, a student of Arp Schnitger to extend a third manual work, the upper works. Architectural shapes the organ a unit with the church building and is provided with covers that were painted by Gerard de Lairesse ( 1640-1711 ).
In the 18th, 19th and 20th century, the organ was rebuilt several times, in particular with a view to the changing sound ideals. In the years 1989-1992 the instrument through the organ building company Flentrop Orgelbouw ( Zaandam ) has been extensively restored and reconstructed in many parts -. Overlooking the condition of the organ in 1686 or 1727 because original from that time only about 600 pipes were obtained had to be reconstructed approximately 3,000 pipes. Were maintaining the façade pipes of Hauptwerk, Rückpositiv and pedal organ from the 19th century, as well as the Baar whistle from the year 1895. Was Extends the disposition to three reeds ( Dulciaan 8 ' Fagot 16' Trompet 4 '). ( 460 Hz historically ) adjusted to 440 Hz in order to allow the interaction with other instruments, and also the performance of organ literature of the 19th and 20th centuries, the pitch was. The instrument has a total of 41 stops on three manual and pedal organ works since 1992.
- Couplers: I / II, II / I, III / I, I / P, II / P III / P
- Tremulants: in addition to the tremulants the individual works a tremulant for the entire organ
Choir organ
Since 1963, the church also has a choir organ, which was built by Dirk Andries Flentrop and restored in 2001. The abrasive loading instrument has 12 stops on two manuals and pedal. The tracker action are mechanical.
- Couplers: II / I, I / P, II / P
Organist of the Westerkerk is the Kooy since 1981 Jos van.