Westerkerk

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  • Apr-Sep: Mon-Sat 11:00 - 15:00

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Lonely Planet review

The main gathering place for Amsterdam's Dutch Reformed community, the church was built for rich Protestants to a 1620 design by Hendrick de Keyser. The nave is the largest in the Netherlands and covered by a wooden barrel vault.

The huge main organ dates from 1686, with panels decorated with biblical scenes and instruments. Rembrandt, who died bankrupt at nearby Rozengracht, was buried in a pauper's grave somewhere in the church.

Another highlight is the belltower, topped by the blue imperial crown that Habsburg emperor Maximilian I bestowed to the city for its coat of arms in 1489. The climb of the 85m tower can be strenuous and claustrophobic (inside a tower, after all), but the guide takes breaks on the landings while describing the bells.

Carillon recitals take place on Tuesdays between noon and ; best listening is from the nearby Bloemgracht. The bells also chime mechanically every 15 minutes.