monument
Oude Kerk
Amsterdam's oldest building, a Gothic church in the Red Light District, now also a contemporary art space.
Photo: Sándor Attila / Google
The Oude Kerk is Amsterdam's oldest surviving building, consecrated in 1306 and standing on what was originally a wooden chapel from the 13th century.
It sits, improbably, at the centre of the Red Light District — surrounded by canal houses, narrow alleys and neon-lit windows. Inside: a vast wooden vaulted ceiling (the largest medieval wooden vault in Europe), gravestones in the floor (Rembrandt's wife Saskia is buried here), and rotating contemporary art exhibitions.
The church is no longer a parish but a foundation that programmes site-specific contemporary art alongside the medieval architecture.
What to expect
Europe's largest medieval wooden vault
Saskia van Uylenburgh's gravestone (Rembrandt's wife)
Contemporary art installations throughout the year
Climb the tower (separate ticket) for panoramic views
Tips from locals
Buy timed tickets online — it gets busy in the afternoon.
The tower climb is a separate ticket and well worth it on a clear day.
Look down: the entire floor is gravestones, many beautifully carved.
Combine with a visit to Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder around the corner.
Did you know?
The Oude Kerk was consecrated in 1306, making it the oldest surviving building in Amsterdam.
Its wooden vaulted ceiling, built around 1390, is the largest medieval wooden vault in Europe.
Rembrandt's first wife Saskia van Uylenburgh is buried beneath the floor here.
Over 10,000 Amsterdammers are buried under the church floor — every flagstone is technically a gravestone.
The Oude Kerk now hosts contemporary art commissions that are placed directly in dialogue with the medieval interior.
FAQ
- How much is entry to the Oude Kerk?
- Standard adult tickets are around €14.50; tower climbs are sold separately.
- When is the Oude Kerk open?
- Daily, roughly 10:00–18:00. Closing times can vary during exhibitions and services.
- Can I climb the tower?
- Yes — the tower is open by guided climb only, with a separate ticket and limited slots.
- Is the Oude Kerk still an active church?
- It is no longer a parish church; it is run as a museum and contemporary art foundation, with occasional services.
- Where is the Oude Kerk?
- On Oudekerksplein in the heart of the Red Light District, a few minutes from Dam Square.
Oude Kerk
Oudekerksplein 23, Amsterdam