This is the biggest church in Holland and right next to the hotel we were staying at. After walking…read moreby it multiple times, we decided to stop by and am glad we did. It was built in the early 1600's and is stunning both inside and out. Sadly the observation deck was closed when we were there. And cool factoid for you...Rembrandt was buried here.

Beautiful exterior. Mediocre interior. Intended to stay for free concert but one of the attendants…read morehassled us regarding donations for the coffee and tea. He hovered and swooped in twice to ask if we paid. My buddy inadvertently paid extra but the guy was still insistent on ensuring we paid. Not a welcoming approach

While I hadn't initially known about Het Begijnhof before stumbling upon it on a weekend afternoon,…read moreI'm glad to have visited. It was an insightful glimpse into the hundreds of years of history and thousands of lives impacted by this community, for women seeking religious and economic sanctuary. While it doesn't balance out the inequity of treatment across classes, race, religion and gender back then, it's still quite a progressive undertaking for those times. Since many other reviews have gone into detail about the religious backgrounds, I'll just add a few observations: - walking up to the entrance gate, a security guard is posted at all times, he reminds visitors to respectful of the environment and inhabitants of the neighborhood. The streets around are pretty busy and loud so I'm glad that they're there to maintain a calmer environment. - no walking or stepping on the lawn areas, there are signs with this request posted around the outdoor spaces. - the chapel designed in 1671 within the two townhouses for catholic worship was considered a "hidden" church, since Catholicism wasn't openly sanctioned after the late 16th century. The church building on the courtyard is a Protestant church; both are working church structures. Though the English Reformed Church building isn't always open for visitor access. - there's no tourism photography allowed in the chapel so take note for those who like selfies. Begijnhof is free to visit, hours are 10am-6pm daily. For more info: begijnhofkapelamsterdam.nl

This magnificiently manicured compound is a free attraction in Amsterdam with an interesting…read morehistory. Strictly a female residential commune. Women are on a long list to reside here with certain restrictions: They are over thirty five years old, widowed, no children and poverty stricken. The grassy courtyard is full of beautiful colored trees and two active Protestant churches. Monies are derived from donations and a gift shop.

As an American, I was especially touched to see the Engelese Kerk, built originally in 1420. A…read morerefuge for those suffering from religious persecution in England, it is the site where the Pilgrims prayed before sailing on the Mayflower for religious freedom in America. Do check out the poignant stained glass depiction of this in the far back of the Church.

This church is managed by 'stadsherstel'(this means city renovation). It is used for markets,…read moreconcerts etc During covid lockdown dec 2020, they hosted a piano festival. I bought the ticket online, well in advance, which was a good thing. With limited audience size, concerts sell out very fast. What i liked: - historic building - good avoustic - covid rules well followed

De Duif is a church, and as such it has a nicely decorated interior and exterior. But it also…read moreserves as event space, and I have participated to an event right into it. Obviously events organization can't be rated, as it is subjective to the organizers, but the church has several services to support them, including a bar serving beers and drinks (yes, a real bar with taps and all right inside of the church!) and a kitchen preparing finger food and snacks for the attendants. Events or not, if you're in the area have a stop at De Duif and visit this nice church.

It's not everyday that you see a historic church used as a museum space for modern art, fashion,…read morecelebrities, or culture and history of religious groups other than Christianity. Not to mention also host royal weddings and music recitals. With De Nieuwe Kerk (The New Church), you find all these in one spot. Construction began in 1408 during medieval times and the church was finished and consecrated a year later, dedicated to Saint Catherine. The current impressive wooden-beamed roof was result of a devastating fire in 1645 after which several key components of today's building were added: the organ, pulpit, brass choir screen, and elaborate funerary monuments such as the one to Admiral Michiel de Ruyter. 1959 to 1980 was the most recent major restoration with a national foundation created and stepping in once the Protestant church that originally owned the building became unable to maintain upkeep. As a modern event space, they host a variety of happenings--most commonly museum exhibitions, as was the case when I visited. "Mokum - the Biography of Jewish Amsterdam" took visitors thru the history of the Jewish community--from immigration, shared cultural customs and traditions and gradual advancements in society, to the subversive Nazi movement and ultimately occupation of Amsterdam during WWII, the strained persistence to survive and the rebuilding that happened afterwards. There were a lot of didactic placards with info on what was being displayed, in both Dutch and English throughout the exhibit. Tickets are €22.50 for adults, discounted tickets available for children (Youth 12-17 years €15.00, under 12 free), students €15, certain groups and pass holders are free. Tickets include a free audio tour. I used the "i amsterdam" pass which involved a quick scan of the QR code at the ticket counter. Recommend about 45 minutes to go thru the tour, maybe an extra 20-30 minutes to check out the church building itself. For more info: https://www.nieuwekerk.nl/en/

This is a stunning church right in the city center right next to the palace. It was built in the…read more1500's. It is not an active church and is used for events. Beautiful inside and out.

I found this church by accident. My friend Sage and I were walking down the street of Kalverstraat,…read morewhich is a famous shopping street in the center of Amsterdam. When you go inside, you will be astonished by the grandeur of the church. It's very serene, peaceful and beautiful in construction. There's even a holy water reservoir located near one of the altars. I promised my Mom that I would buy her a rosary in Amsterdam and imagine my surprise when I saw that they were also selling holy water from Lourdes of France. For 1.50 Euro, you can get a big bottle of holy water. The church was sorta difficult to find, and we only found it by accident because Sage pointed it out. The church is very discreet and tucked in between the stores. I discovered that it was considered a safe church back in 1700 in the period when Roman Catholics were required to be inconspicuous It was built around in a garden of a bird trader, and that is why the church is called De Papegaai ( Parrot in Dutch).

I've been here twice - once passing and just happened to see and then a second time to attend a…read more10:30 morning service. Surprising, but I'm putting attending a service at this church on my list of top things to do in Amsterdam. Why? First, because the church has wonderful woodwork throughout the church, especially at the front (I think formally called the aspe and beam maybe). The woodwork on the center altarpiece is really just amazing, and then there is also a staircase leading up to a podium at the front that is also really nice (not used during the service I attended) (there is a wooden staircase at a famous church in Santa Fe that was supposedly built without nails - a miracle. I think that the staircase here has nails, but it's still wonderful). If you go for the service you also hopefully get to hear the pipe organ and choir. Although the service I went to was in Latin, the readings and the homily were in Dutch, so this is a good place to hear the local language. Why four stars instead of five? Well, it's because the front stained-glass windows are very very dirty. So dirty in fact that there are places in the glass where the light is unable to filter in. The lower stained-glass panes are dirtier than the upper panes and at first I thought this was odd - shouldn't the soot from the candle smoke and incense rise and so the upper panes be the dirtiest? Upon reflection, I guess not - the soot only travels so high and so doesn't reach the upper panes (the impure substances stay close to earth and only the pure travels heavenward). The woodwork I'm sure is also covered in soot, but more difficult to tell from afar. When I went to the service I was, I think the youngest person at the mass, and I'm not that young. Mostly older local people attended. The church was only about 5% full. I guess this explains why they can't afford to clean the stained-glass windows. If you do go to the church (and especially to a service) here are some recommendations and tips: 1. In the winter dress warmly. It can get a little cold. 2. If you don't understand Latin or Dutch, spend the time during the service reflecting, listening to the music, and checking out the woodwork. 3. Towards the end of the service there will be a time when you'll shake hands with other people - extending peace. If you don't understand the language no problem, shake hands and just say 'Peace be with you'. It doesn't matter that you don't speak the local language. Everyone will just be happy you participate. 4. If you have not completed your First Communion then you shouldn't go up to receive the body and blood of Christ during Communion. During this time just stay in your seat. (Interestingly, when I went they only offered the host (body of Christ) and not any wine (blood of Christ). Maybe this is a new hygiene thing? I have not been to mass in a long time so don't know if this is a general change.) 5. It's free to attend the service, but if possible you should make a donation. Have a few coins handy to put in the basket that is passed around. If you are really generous give them enough Euro to pay to have the stained-glass windows cleaned. 6. Check out where they keep the wafers and wine - pretty cool. 7. Dress up a little. Men don't wear hats in the church. 8. Check out frames around the Stations of the Cross paintings. 9. If you plan on staying through the entire mass, sit towards the front for a better view. If you are not sure you will stay for the entire mass (you should) then sit towards the back. There will likely be lots of empty seats so no need to get there early. 10. Since you're right in the middle of a big famous shopping area, come prepared to shop after the mass!

The Jewish Cultural Quarter is east of the city center with Europe's largest and oldest active…read moresynagogues. Its magnificent interior looks much as it did in 1675, with its original towering stone columns, vaulted timber ceiling & wooden pews surrounding a massive Torah ark made of gleaming wood. Evening services are illuminated by hundreds of candles in the large brass chandeliers. The sheer size of the synagogue & it's beauty left us awestruck. The Portuguese Synagogue is the functioning house of prayer of the Portuguese Jewish Community of Amsterdam. On days when no services are held, this magnificent esnoga and the hidden treasure chambers are open to visitors. What makes this building so remarkable is that its interior has remained completely intact. No heating or electricity has been installed and it's lit by a thousand candles you see all around. At night, by candlelight and the candlelit concerts are supposed to be incredible. The world's oldest functioning Jewish library is also here: Ets Haim Livraria Montezinos, which is on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Lovely 17th century Sephardic synagogue in one of Amsterdam's most charming districts!…read more Audio tour is informative and well orchestrated. Be sure to visit the (very close) Jewish History Museum AND the Museum of the Dutch Resistance while you're in this part of one of my two favorite European cities.