Place of worship
Mozes en Aäronkerk
A grand church on Waterlooplein in the old Jewish quarter.
Photo: Gopinathan Madhavan / Google
- Area
- Nieuwmarkt
- Type
- Place of worship
About the experience
Mozes en Aäronkerk is a historic church in Nieuwmarkt. A grand church on Waterlooplein in the old Jewish quarter.
Good to know
The name Mozes en Aäronkerk comes from the houses associated with the earlier Catholic place of worship on this site: Moses and Aaron. Its origins belong to Amsterdam’s history of hidden churches, when Catholics worshipped in buildings that did not openly announce their religious purpose. The present church makes a very different impression. Its neoclassical façade, with a columned entrance and paired towers, gives it a monumental presence and offers a striking contrast with the more modest buildings around it.
Treat the church as a stop on a walk through the neighbourhood’s overlapping religious and cultural histories. The nearby Portuguese Synagogue and Jewish Museum offer context for Jewish life in Amsterdam, while the Rembrandt House Museum turns the focus towards the artist and his surroundings. At the church itself, pause to look at the symmetry of the façade before moving on. If an interior visit is available, it offers a chance to experience the building beyond its prominent street-facing exterior.
Photo gallery
Photo: peter hessels / Google · Photo: Stan Sarnocinski,Jr. / Google · Photo: Mozes en Aäronkerk (officieel Heilige Antonius van Padua)⛪ / Google · Photo: Ugur Erol / Google · Photo: nanne osinga / Google
Frequently asked questions
Where is Mozes en Aäronkerk?
The church stands on Waterlooplein, close to the Portuguese Synagogue and Jewish Museum. It is not on Nieuwmarkt square itself.
Can I go inside the church?
Check the official website for current visiting arrangements and opening hours. Do not assume that the interior is accessible whenever you pass by.
Is there an admission charge?
Check the official website for current admission information and any conditions attached to a visit.
Can I take photographs inside?
Ask permission or check the guidance at the entrance before photographing the interior. Avoid disturbing anyone praying or taking part in an activity.
What can I combine a visit with?
The Portuguese Synagogue, Jewish Museum and Rembrandt House Museum are nearby. You can also continue towards Nieuwmarkt for a longer walk through the old centre.
Moses and Aaron Church (officially Church of St. Anthony of Padua), Amsterdam
Waterlooplein 207, 1011 PG, Amsterdam