Amsterdam
(NH): Zuiderkerk (H. de Keyser, 1603-1614)
This
was the first church in Amsterdam specifically built for the protestant
community. It's a pseudo-basilica with many details in renaissance
style. The truncated gables at the north and south ends are similar to
those on De Keyser's later Noorderkerk and Westerkerk. The rectangular
windows are unique to this church, though.
Although the nave was finished in 1611, the tower was only completed in
1614. It has a square base, on top of which is a octagonal section
which is partly covered in sandstone and decorated with Ionic pillars.
The spire is made of wood, covered with lead.
In the winter of 1944-'45 the church was used as a temporary storage
for corpses, as people were starving of hunger at a higher rate than
they could be buried. A plaque near the main entrance reminds of this
time. In 1970 the church was closed down because of its bad condition.
After restoration had finished in 1979 it became a municipal
information office about housing.
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