Zuiderkerk

Zuiderkerk is a historic church in Nieuwmarkt. An early-17th-century church near Nieuwmarkt with a much-loved tower.

Good to know

Designed by Hendrick de Keyser, the Zuiderkerk was Amsterdam’s first church built specifically for Protestant worship. Its architecture reflects a city reshaping its religious identity after the Reformation, while the distinctive tower became an enduring part of the skyline. The church also caught the eye of Claude Monet, who painted it from across the Groenburgwal. That view remains a rewarding way to appreciate the building: framed by canal houses, the tower gives the waterway a striking focal point.

Rather than expecting a conventional church visit, think of the Zuiderkerk as a historic building with a continuing role in the city’s cultural life. It is used for events, so the experience inside depends on what is taking place. Outside, the Zuiderkerkhof offers a closer look at the church’s scale and setting. Combine your stop with the nearby Rembrandt House Museum on Jodenbreestraat, then walk towards the Groenburgwal to see how differently the tower appears from the surrounding streets and bridges.