Zuiderkerk

Beautiful enough to inspire both Sir Christopher Wren and Monet, the 17th-century Zuiderkerk (South Church) was Amsterdam's first Protestant church.

The Zuiderkerk was built between 1603 and 1611 by the great Dutch architect Hendrick de Keyser. It was one of the earliest churches in Amsterdam to be built in the Renaissance style and was the first in the city to be built for the Dutch Reformed Church.

Legend has it this church greatly impressed the great British architect Sir Christopher Wren (builder of London's St. Paul's Cathedral and other churches). Centuries later, Monet painted the Zuiderkerk. In another artistic connection, three of Rembrandt's children were buried in the Zuiderkerk.

On a less happy note, the church floor was used to store the surplus of corpses during the Hunger Winter of 1945.

Like many of Amsterdam's churches, there are no longer enough worshippers to keep the South Church in business. Today it houses a permanent exhibiton Amsterdam's future building plans sponsored by the City Planning Office.

The church tower is one of the most beautiful structures in Amsterdam. There are fine panoramic views from its balconies, which can be seen on an hourly guided tour. Its bells are played every Thursday between noon and 1.