Zuiderkerk (South Church)

The Zuiderkerk sits just south of Amsterdam’s Nieuwmarkt and is one of a series of ecclesiastical masterpieces constructed by Dutch Renaissance architect Hendrick de Keyser. He helped to shape the face of the Grachtengordel (Canal Ring) in the 17th century by designing the Westerkerk on Prinsengracht and the Noorderkerk in the Jordaan. Consecrated in 1611, the Zuiderkerk was the first Protestant church to be built in the city; its ornamental wooden spire was not completed until several years later and today it still looms 246 feet (75 meters) above the surrounding gabled houses with its distinctive gilding and balustrading. De Keyser died in 1621 and is buried in the church along with three of Rembrandt’s children and Ferdinand Bol, who was the artist’s most famous pupil. Claude Monet was so impressed with the Zuiderkerk’s fancy spire that he painted the church in 1874.
Church services were halted in 1929 and during World War II the Zuiderkerk was used as a temporary morgue; it is now a venue for musical events and corporate entertaining; concerts are held in the church during August’s Grachtenfestival and a permanent exhibition is on display charting the development of Amsterdam from medieval village to modern boom city. In summer the Zuidertoren (tower) is open to climb for spectacular views over the spires, canals and rooftops of central Amsterdam. 

Practical Info

Located at Zuiderkerkhof 72, the Zuiderkerk is currently closed until March 2017. The Metro can be taken to Nieuwmarkt, while the site is also a short walk from Waterlooplein.