Zuiderkerk

The Zuiderkerk ( South Church ) in Amsterdam was the first built for Protestant Church in the Netherlands. The building is no longer a church, but serves as an information center.

History and Architecture

It was built in the Dutch Renaissance style as a brick church from 1603 to 1611. The plans of the three-aisled basilica without the choir come from Hendrick de Keyser.

The 80 meter high tower is known for its carillon from the Hemony workshop. Lunch 12-13 clock sounds it with different pieces of music. The Tower is open and allows an excellent view over Amsterdam and beyond to the IJsselmeer.

This simple interior of the church houses the grave of Baumeister de Keyser. After 1929 no services were held in the church. It has since been used as a morgue and for exhibitions. Financial difficulties and the threat of building decay led at that time to purchase the church by the city of Amsterdam.

Since 1988 it serves the urban housing and planning office as an information center, a permanent exhibition about the urban structures of Amsterdam.

Special

The Zuiderkerk was subject for a painting of Monet. During the severe hunger winter 1945 corpses who died of starvation were stored on the church floor.

The church is not far from Rembrandt's house. Three of his children are buried here. The lobby also houses the grave of Ferdinand Bol, a pupil of Rembrandt.