An unique exhibition during a major restoration
One of Amsterdam’s most famous monuments is undergoing a major reconstruction this summer. Eight of the church’s eight-meter-high pillars need a new foundation. But before the contractor began work, the city archaeologists of the City of Amsterdam investigated and prepared the construction site.

Starting Saturday, August 31, Explore De Nieuwe Kerk is open. This is an exhibition about the centuries-long and eventful history of the medieval church, which has an important link to the Netherlands and the city of Amsterdam. Visitors will be taken past various highlights with a (free) audio tour in the mobile Bloomberg Connects app.

Archaeological hotspot
From a two-meter-high viewing platform, visitors could, for the past month, look over the shoulders of the city archaeologists, see how they worked, and discover their latest findings. The archaeological investigation is now over, and you can watch as the columns are re-founded.

Wearing a construction helmet on the viewing platform is mandatory; these are provided free of charge. In another area of the exhibition, archaeological finds from the preliminary research on the pillars in 2023 are on display. Here you can also see a video where archaeologist Thijs Terhorst explains about the project and archaeological findings.

In the same exhibition space is a special “archaeology hotspot” set up, where you have the chance to work as a true archaeologist one day a week. This happens under the guidance of specialists in different time slots. Look for the present times and specific days of the specialists on our website.

A special trail of games for children
De Nieuwe Kerk has traditionally been a meeting place. A place for young and old in the heart of the city. Where people got married, buried, baptized, gossiped with each other, and where children could play. As part of the latter tradition, a special game trail has been laid out for children and families. From typical old Dutch games like shuffleboard, and bag toss to games like twister, the hole-cheese game, and building block towers. Matching stamp cards will be handed out at the ticket counter. A stamp may be placed on each completed game. A full stamp card earns a small surprise at the ticket counter.

600 Years of History
Like an autobiography, De Nieuwe Kerk (1408) recounts its centuries of history as the nation’s church, which is inextricably linked to the history of the Netherlands and Amsterdam. Many stories are told and depicted, such as those of the inaugurations of the Royal House of The Netherlands and the marriage of Prince Willem-Alexander and Máxima. The iconoclasm, the tower that was never built, and the extraordinary sixteenth-century maquette painting by Pieter Gerritsz also are featured. There are stories about the Middle Ages, the Dutch seafarers of the seventeenth century, and some murals from the Roman Catholic era of the church. The special interior pieces by famous artists are permanently on display, such as the enormous brass choir screen by Johannes Lutma. The Pipe organs and pulpit are wrapped up due to restoration but can be seen through the transparent wrapping.

Activities
There are several activities during Explore De Nieuwe Kerk. For example, every last Saturday of the month, there is a free guided tour that takes visitors in and around the church. There are also various lectures on the architecture and archaeology of the building, and the church will be one of the highlights during Open Monumentendag (Heritage Days) on September 14 and 15.

Practical Information
Explore De Nieuwe Kerk is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 am to 6 pm. The archaeologists will only work on weekdays.

The free audio tour can only be listened to in the Bloombergconnects app. Click here to already download the app prior to your visit: App store & Google play store.

Visitors to the exhibition enter an active construction site. Because of safety, some important house rules apply:

• A maximum of 25 people is allowed on the catwalk at a time. Wearing a construction helmet on the bridge is mandatory; these are available free of charge.
• In connection with possible noise pollution (on weekdays) earplugs are available at the ticket counter (free of charge).

Book your ticket online now.

Thanks to