A Witness to History
The Westerkerk isn’t just an architectural marvel; it’s a living repository of Amsterdam’s rich past. Construction began in 1620, when the Dutch Republic emerged as a global maritime and trading power. The church was designed by Hendrick de Keyser, Amsterdam’s master builder, though he didn’t live to see its completion. His son, Pieter de Keyser, finished his father’s masterpiece, creating the largest Protestant church built during the Reformation.
Perhaps the church’s most famous connection is with Rembrandt van Rijn, the legendary Dutch painter whose masterpiece “The Night Watch” hangs in the nearby Rijksmuseum. After a life of artistic brilliance followed by financial hardship, Rembrandt was laid to rest here in 1669 in an unmarked grave. While the exact location of his final resting place remains unknown, a memorial plaque in the north aisle pays tribute to the artist whose work defined an era.
The Westerkerk also holds a poignant connection to a more recent historical figure. Anne Frank, whose diary has touched millions, mentioned the church’s tower and bells in her writings while hiding from Nazi persecution just a short distance away at Prinsengracht 263 (now the Anne Frank House). She wrote of finding comfort in seeing the tower from her window and hearing its bells, a bittersweet reminder of the freedom she longed for.
Why Visit: A Multisensory Experience
Stepping into the Westerkerk offers a journey through architectural brilliance and cultural significance. The interior exemplifies Dutch Protestant design with its spacious, light-filled nave. Unlike the ornate Catholic churches of southern Europe, the Westerkerk embraces a more restrained beauty, with whitewashed walls that allow the magnificent stained glass windows and impressive pipe organs to take center stage.
The church’s Duyschot organ, completed in 1686, is a masterpiece in its own right. With its 5,000 pipes and shutters adorned with biblical scenes painted by Gerard de Lairesse, it’s visually stunning and renowned for its exceptional acoustics. Time your visit for one of the regular lunchtime recitals on Wednesdays (1:00 PM) when the church fills with music, creating an unforgettable sensory experience.
For those with a head for heights, climbing the Westertoren is usually a highlight. The ascent up 186 steep steps rewards brave climbers with breathtaking panoramic views of Amsterdam’s historic center, crisscrossed by canals and dotted with gabled rooftops. This vista has remained largely unchanged for centuries.
Don’t miss the church’s unique carillon with its 51 bells, many cast by the famous Hemony brothers in 1658. Unlike any other carillon in Amsterdam, these bells chime every quarter-hour throughout the day and night – a request from the residents of the Jordaan neighborhood who valued this rhythmic marking of time. Tuesday at noon offers a special treat, as the city carillonneur performs a concert on these historic bells.
Beyond the architectural and musical experiences, the Westerkerk is an ideal starting point for exploring Amsterdam. Its location adjacent to the Anne Frank House makes it convenient to visit both sites in one outing. The surrounding area offers quintessential Amsterdam charm, with canal-side cafés and boutiques lining the Prinsengracht and the artistic soul of the Jordaan neighborhood steps away.
Plan Your Visit
The Westerkerk welcomes visitors Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with Saturday hours during the warmer months (April through October). While the church is free to enter, donations are appreciated to help maintain this historic treasure. On Sundays, the church is closed to tourists as it fulfills its primary purpose as a place of worship, with services held at 10:30 AM.
Music lovers should note the regular organ recitals on Wednesdays at 1:00 PM and the free lunchtime concerts on Fridays or Saturdays from April to October. The church also hosts special performances throughout the year, including Bach cantata services on the last Sunday of the month from September to June.
Reaching the Westerkerk is simple. If you’re exploring Amsterdam on foot, the church is easily visible from much of the historic center. By public transport, tram lines 13 and 17 will drop you at the Westermarkt stop, practically at the church’s doorstep. True to Amsterdam style, arriving by bicycle or canal boat offers a particularly charming approach.