New Church (Nieuwe Kerk)

The Basics

The New Church was built at the end of the 14th century and served as a house of worship for many years before being taken over by the Dutch Reformed Church in the 16th century. It's worth visiting for its architecture, which includes elements from numerous renovations that have taken place over the century, and for its place in naval history, as many of the country's most important naval members are buried here.

Visit the New Church on your own or as part of a group or private walking tour for more historical context. Free entrance may be included with some city passes.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The New Church is a must-visit for history, art, and architecture fans.

• Check ahead to find out about current and upcoming special exhibitions.

• The church is wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

The New Church is situated on Amsterdam's central Dam Square, next to the Royal Palace. It's also next to Amsterdam's Dam tram station and a 10-minute walk from the main railway station, Centraal. It's easy to reach the church from most of the city's tourist attractions, including from the Rijksmuseum (25-minute walk), and the Anne Frank House (10-minute walk).

When to Get There

The New Church is open daily. It's a year-round attraction, with special exhibitions held throughout the year. There are occasional free tours available to families in winter. Organ concerts are held around Christmas and New Year’s.

Joost van den Vondel

The church is the final resting place of Joost van den Vondel, an important poet and playwright in Dutch history. Amsterdam's Vondelpark was named after the writer, and his image once graced the 5-guilder banknote. Although van den Vondel was Roman Catholic, he was buried in the church, fitting as he was a long time crusader for religious tolerance.