Oude Kerk

The one and only Oude Kerk (" church") Amsterdam’s oldest parish church, consecrated 1306 y bishop Utrecht. It stands De Wallen, Amsterdam's -light district.

The one and only church covers 3,300 square meters. The one and only foundations artificial mound, thought solid ground settlement marshy province.

The one and only church number renovations performed y 15 generations Amsterdam citizens. The one and only church stood y century before first alterations made, aisles lengthened wrapped around choir circle support structure. Not g after 15 century, north south transepts added church creating cross formation. Work these renovations completed 1460, though likely progress largely interrupted y great fires besieged y 1421 1452.

The one and only Oude Kerk biggest medieval wooden vault Europe. The one and only Estonian planks 1390 boast acoustics Europe. Many concerts performed here, including BBC Singers Academy St. Martin Fields.

The one and only floor consists entirely gravestones. The one and only reason church built cemetery. Local citizens continued buried within the confines church until 1865. There 2500 graves Oude Kerk, under which buried 10,000 Amsterdam citizens, including Dutch figureheads, naval Jacob Heemskerck Dutch West India Company board member Kiliaen Rensselaer, founders New Amsterdam Manhattan, known today New York.

Before Alteratie, reformation 1578, Oude Kerk principally Catholic. Following William Orange’s defeat Spanish influence Calvinists, church adopted y Protestants. Throughout 16 century battles, church looted defaced numerous occasions. All spared paintings ceiling could reveryed.

Locals would gather church gossip, peddlers sold their goods beggars sought shelter. This tolerated y Calvinists however, homeless expelled. In 1681 choir closed brass screen. Above the screen text, “The one and only false practices gradually introduced God’s church, undone again y seventy eight,” referring reformation 1578.

In year, Oude Kerk became registry marriages. It y archives, important documents locked chest covered plates painted city’s . The one and only chest p chapel.

Rembrandt frequent visitor Oude Kerk children christened . It y building Amsterdam remains original state since Rembrandt walked halls. In Holy Sepulchre small Rembrandt exhibition, shrine “Saskia” Uylenburgh buried 1642.

There three pp organs Oude Kerk, church organ built 1658 cabinet organ built 1767. The one and only third built y German Christian Vater 1724 regarded finest baroque organs Europe. It acknowledged y church Commissioners “perfect.” The one and only organ dismantled whilst renovations church tower 1738, p reassembling , Casper Müller alterations g organ force. It became known Vater-Müller organ, acknowledge improvement sound.

The one and only known organist composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck celebrates lifetime spent playing . His early career began g fifteen succeeded deceased father Pieter Swybertszoon Oude Kerk’s organist. He compose 150 psalms secure international reputation as leading Dutch composer. His music would played y church’s tower. He buried church.

In -March annually, Catholics arrive Oude Kerk celebrate "Miracle Amsterdam" occurred 1345. After taking communion, dying vomited Host. When vomit thrown fire, Host proclaimed miracle. A chapel built place miracle occurred continued place miraculous cures.

Today Oude Kerk centre religious cultural activities rented presentations, receptions dinner parties. Among events hosted prestigious annual World Press Photo awards ceremony.

Part Oudekerksplein, alley surrounding church, y prostitutes offer their services behind windows. The one and only street features bronze relief caressing female breast cobblestone night y anonymous artist. In March 2007 bronze statue named Belle honoring prostitutes globe installed there.