Oude Kerk (Old Church)
The Oude Kerk in Amsterdam’s Red Light District is the city’s oldest building and one of the city’s youngest art institutions. In the seven or so centuries since it was founded, the church has evolved into one of the most imposing Gothic ecclesiastical buildings in northern Europe.
How to visit De Oude Kerk with your City Card
It is not necessary to reserve a time slot to visit this location with your City Card. Make sure that your City Card is valid at the time of your visit.
Modern Art
The Oude Kerk is commissioned by international artists for exceptional projects with a special relationship to the monumental church and its red-light environment. From radical interventions to respectful tribute. The Oude Kerk therefore distinguishes itself to a great extent from what is happening elsewhere in the city, both in terms of contemporary art and historical heritage. There are no walls between past and present, we show the connection of our times in a high-profile program in which contemporary art is central. In the coming years, the Oude Kerk wants to further excel in the monumental experiment in dialogue with artists, visitors and the environment. In this way we add new pages to (art) history.
Monument
The Oude Kerk is the oldest building in Amsterdam, dedicated in 1306 as a Roman Catholic Saint Nicholas Church. In 1566 the iconoclasm raged here. In the years that followed, it gradually took on a serene, sober appearance as a result of new religious ideas. The Oude Kerk was built, added to and renovated over many centuries until it got the solidified form that characterizes it in 2017.
Accessibility
See how the Oude Kerk makes a visit accessible for people with a disability or handicap.
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