Westerkerk

Westerkerk also known as "Western Church" in English, is an old church in Amsterdam. It is the largest church there, and is the most important Protestant church. The church was built in a Renaissance style between 1619-1631. By the architect Henrich de Keyser. He designed and built this church because he wanted to build a church that was for Protestantism and the first church that was originally for Protestantism. In Amsterdam there were only churches that were transformed into Protestant, none were originally Protestant. When Henrich was building this church he passed away and his son Pieter de Keyser finished the church for him.

When the church first opened in 1631 the church had no music. In that time period music in churches was found to be bad and nonreligious. But later after many years of consultation they finally were allowed churches to use an organ during services. They were going to bring a small organ into the church, but they decided since this church means a lot they need a grand organ. So they made organ builders make them a marvelous organ called Duyschot organ. Also the church had a really big bell tower that was attached to it, it was the biggest tower in Amsterdam. You can climb the tower and have a great view of Amsterdam. In the church there is a burial ground and a famous painter Rembrandt was buried there, along with his son Titus.

Westerkirk is still open to the public today, there are guided tours of the church that you can take. Also there is a concert every Tuesday.