Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam
Amsterdam is proud of its age. American visitors to the city will be reminded often the youth of their homeland. After all, Amsterdam's "New Church" was begun 400 years before the United States was born! The church was constructed to deal with the growth in the city at the end of the 14th century. The name, obviously, sets it apart from the city's old church, Oude Kerk. Initially the Catholic Church was consecrated as the Church of Our Lady, and like all churches of the era a long and impressive building program was initiated.

In the late 16th century, when the rule of the city was taken over by Protestants, they aborted many of those plans. However, the church's prominent location on Dam Square made it one of the most important, if not "inspiring" buildings. The interior is beautiful; decorated with the best that the Golden Age could provide. Services are still held in the church, as are a number of community and civic events.

Click here for the Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam website