Nieuwe Kerk

The Nieuwe Kerk on the west side of Dam Square in Amsterdam is a late Gothic basilica and, after the Oude Kerk, the city's second oldest church. Construction began in 1408 once the Oude Kerk parish had grown too small for expanding Amsterdam. The building burned repeatedly in the 15th and 16th centuries; today's interior largely reflects the rebuilding after the great fire of 1645, with Albert Vinckenbrinck's pulpit and the tomb of naval hero Michiel de Ruyter. Since the Dutch monarchy was founded in 1815 the Nieuwe Kerk has been its coronation church; Beatrix was inaugurated here in 1980 and Willem-Alexander in 2013. Willem-Alexander and Maxima also married here in May 2002. The building no longer holds regular services and instead operates as a venue for art and photo exhibitions.