600 years of De Nieuwe Kerk
History
The name of the most frequently visited church in the Netherlands, De Nieuwe Kerk (‘The New Church’), dates from the fifteenth century. It was adopted by the public to distinguish the building from the earlier Oude Kerk (‘Old Church’). Amsterdam had expanded at a rapid pace, and there was a need for a second parish church on the ‘new side’ of town. A wealthy official, Willem Eggert, privately donated the land and money, and in the spring of 1410 the church was ready for use. On 18 May 1410, the first mass was celebrated at Amsterdam’s newest church.
In the winter of 1645, a major fire broke out in De Nieuwe Kerk, causing serious damage to the interior. The church was rapidly but beautifully restored and even provided with sumptuous new furnishings: a copper rood screen by Johannes Lutma, a magnificent organ painted by Jansz. van Bronckhorst, and an impressive pulpit by Albert Jansz. Vinckenbrinck. Later, many well-known Dutch figures were honoured with an elegant memorial plaque or opulent funerary monument. Most impressive of all is the resplendent tomb of Admiral Michiel de Ruyter. In 1814 the Nieuwe Kerk became a site of national importance when it hosted the inauguration of King William I. Since then, the investiture of every new Dutch monarch has taken place here. The church is also the place where the national memorial ceremony takes place every year on 4 May, and in 2002 the marriage of the Prince of Orange and Máxima Zorreguieta was consecrated here, attracting great interest throughout the Netherlands and elsewhere.
After a period of restoration lasting more than twenty years, De Nieuwe Kerk reopened in 1980. But the Netherlands Reformed Church, the building’s owner, could no longer afford to manage and maintain it. For a short time, there was a frightful but very real possibility that the church would remain almost entirely closed. A national foundation was created to save De Nieuwe Kerk. Over the past 30 years, this foundation, the Nationale Stichting De Nieuwe Kerk, has transformed the church into an energetic, flourishing cultural centre, with exceptional exhibitions that never fail to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to Dam Square. The treasures of the Stroganoffs, the glory and the glamour of the Ottoman sultan and his court, eye-opening archaeological finds from Afghanistan, and an introduction to Oman – these are just a few of the dozens of subjects to which the church has devoted exhibitions. The vaults of the church also frequently echo with music. With two majestic organs, the church is an ideal location for organ and choir concerts. And by organizing events, programmes for children and school classes, and concerts, often in connection with exhibitions, the church remains active and relevant.
In 2010, De Nieuwe Kerk is unveiling an all-new programme of activities. Of course, the successful series of winter exhibitions on other cultures and world religions will continue, but the other three seasons are filled with brand-new activities focusing on the special qualities of De Nieuwe Kerk.
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