Description of the attraction
The South Church is the first church in Amsterdam built specifically for Protestant services. It was built in 1603-1611. designed by the famous Dutch architect Hendrik de Keyser, who is buried in the same church. 300 years after his death, in 1921, a memorial plate was installed over his grave.
The tall tower, which gives the church its characteristic silhouette, was not completed until 1614. Carillon - a set of bells - by the Hemoni brothers appeared on the tower in 1656.
This building is a fine example of the late Dutch Renaissance style. As conceived by the architect, the church is made as a pseudo-basilica in the Gothic style, with one central nave and two lower side chapels. Originally, the church was decorated with multi-colored stained-glass windows, but later they were replaced with transparent glass.
This church is depicted in the famous painting by Claude Monet. It is believed that the painting was painted during his trip to Amsterdam in 1874.
In this church are buried three of Rembrandt's children and one of his students, Ferdinand Bol. There is a legend that Rembrandt also painted his famous painting "The Night Watch" in this church, tk. there was little room in his workshop, but this is most likely just a legend. Church services were held here until 1929. In the winter of 1944-45, known as the "hungry winter", the church was used as a temporary morgue, as people who died of hunger did not have time to bury them. In 1970 the church was closed because she was on the brink of destruction. In 1976-79. a large-scale reconstruction was carried out, and since then the city information center has been located in the church and various exhibitions have been held. Since June 2006, the Wall of Fame has been located here, where the names of prominent public, political and cultural figures of the country appear. There is a separate entrance to the tower, and you can also freely go there.
