The dome of the basilica seen from the Oudezijds Voorburgwal Photo by Massimo Catarinella Wikimedia

Top 10 Interesting Facts About St Nicholas Church, Amsterdam


 

The Basilica St.Nicholas is the major Catholic church in Amsterdam. It is located in the Old Centre district of Amsterdam, Netherlands, very close to Amsterdam’s main railway station. Officially the church was called St.Nicholas inside the walls. From 1842-1912, Adrianus Bleijs, the architect, designed the church basing himself on a combination of several revival styles of which Neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance are the most prominent models.

The façade is crowned by two towers with a rose window in between. The Basilica has a collection of religious murals. The crown of Maximilian I is above the high altar, which is a symbol seen throughout Amsterdam. A 19th-century Sauer Organ can be found inside the newly renovated church, on which concerts are given and mass is accompanied.

  • Location: Prins Hendrikkade 73 Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Website: www.nicolaas-parochie.nI
  • Opening hours: Monday and Saturday 12:00 to 15:00
  • Tuesday to Friday 11:00 to 16:00

1. It’s One of the First City Landmarks

St. Nicholas Basilica it’s one of the first city Landmarks since it was constructed in the early ages and its design. It is among the Landmarks that most visitors spot and visit when they visit Amsterdam. It is mystifying that this majestic church, which towers over its street, is so frequently overlooked. Indeed, its popularity is dwarfed by that of the other historic churches in Amsterdam.

2. Interior of St. Nicholas Basilica

The interior of the dome. St Nikolas Basilica, Amsterdam Photo by Stephencdickson Wikimedia

The art in the church interior shows off a variety of artists and media. Perre van den Bossche is one such artist whose Classicism and Baroque inspired sculpture adorn the altars and pulpit of the church. The studio he founded is most famous for the Gouden Koets, the chariot that transports the Dutch queen to her yearly address to the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives on Prince’s Day.

Dutch painter Jan Dunselman painted the walls of the church. He was famous for his Stations of the cross. The Sint NicolaasKerk contains an example of Dunselman’s Station as part of the work he contributed to the church.

3. Where the Church is Located

St Basilica of Saint Nicholas is located in the Old Centre district of Amsterdam, Netherlands, very close to Amsterdam’s main railway station. It is built on a previously urban site, entailing a northwest-southeast axis to be adopted, rather than the standard East-West axis. It lies between the street , Prins Hendrikkade, and the canal, Oudezijds Kolk.

4. The Name Change

Basilika of St. Nicholas, Amsterdam Photo by calflier001 Wikimedia

St Basilica of Saint Nicholas was not the initial name of the church. When it was built the church was called St . Nicholas inside the walls. 

The church was located inside the Amsterdam City wall, the oldest part of the Amsterdam defense works and this necessitated the naming “St Nicholas inside the wall’ since it was between the walls. In the 125th year of its existence (2012) the church was changed its name to Basilica of St. Nicholas by the Vatican.

5. Neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance are Styles Used in Building the Church

The dome of the basilica seen from the Oudezijds Voorburgwal Photo by Massimo Catarinella Wikimedia

In the year 1842-1912, the architect, Adrianus Bleijs designed the church basing himself on a combination of several revival styles like Neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance. Neo-Baroque is an Architectural style born in the middle of the nineteenth century which takes again the mode nature of Baroque architecture while Neo-Renaissance architecture refers to a collection of 19th -century modern architectural styles that we’re not Gothic Revival or Greek Revival.

However, they heavily drew on the various old Greek style. It has more modern forms than the preceding styles. The basis of the ground plan is the scheme of the classic three-aisled cross-basilica.

6. History of the Church

Basilika of St. Nicholas, Amsterdam Photo by calflier001 Wikimedia

St. Nicholas church was built in the back years between 1884-1887 and is the most well-known of the ‘new’ Amsterdam churches. It is one of the tall and spacious buildings. The Basilica of St. Nicholas is the city’s primary Roman Catholic Church in Amsterdam.

Officially the church was called St. Nicholas inside the Walls. All of the Sculptures on the altar and the Chapel are the creation of Pierre Elysee van den Bossche and he designed the pulpit. The designer of the church, Adrianus Bleijs, broke with the tradition of designing in the neo-Gothic style prevalent in the 19th century and used the neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance styles.

7. Opening 6 Days Per Week

One of the interesting facts about the Basilica of St. Nicholas is the opening days and opening hours. The Church is open 6 days per week and remains closed on Sundays. This makes it suitable for visitors and tourists to have many days to visit and learn more about the historical facts of the church.

However, there is a time limitation for visits and differs from one day to another. On Mondays and Saturdays the church is opened at noon and closes at 3.00 Pm while on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday it is opened at 11.00 am and closes at 4.00 pm.

8. Choral Evensong

The Strichting Muziek in de Nicolaas (SMN) the Music Foundation of the Basilica of St. Nicholas was established in 2000. Its goal is to facilitate the use of the Basilica for the presentation of choral and instrumental music of a high standard. Choral Evensong is the name given to the services when the choir sings the majority of the service in musical settings.

In 1549, it was first published and later revised in the 1662 Book of common prayers. Choral Evensong is sung every Saturday at 17:00 from September to June in the Saint Nicholas Church in Amsterdam. The good thing about the Choral Evensong entrance is free.

9. Basilica Status

In the 125th year of its existence, St Nicholas Church was elevated to a ‘Basilica minor’. This officially took place on December 8, 2012. The occasion was marked during a celebration of the Solemn Vespers. The occasion was attended by ecclesiastical and secular authorities, including Mgr. A. Dupuy, and Apostolic Nuncio to the Netherlands, who officially declared the change of status to the congregation.

10. T0urist Attraction Site

St Nicholas Church is one of attraction site in Amsterdam. I recommend any tourist to visit the area and witness for him/herself the beauty of the place.

It is one of most prominent Catholic Churches in the Amsterdam with unique baroque style architecture and beautiful designs which attract tourist. This is one of beautiful place to visit and the church is open for everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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