Oude Lutherse Kerk, Lutheran church building in Canal Belt, Netherlands.
The Oude Lutherse Kerk is a Lutheran church near the Spui square in central Amsterdam, one of the oldest Protestant places of worship in the city. The building is recognizable by its copper dome, and the interior features galleries on multiple levels supported by classical columns.
The church was completed in 1633, at a time when Amsterdam was opening its doors to Lutheran immigrants from German-speaking lands. A major fire in 1822 destroyed the interior, and the building was rebuilt following the original design by architect Adriaan Dortsman.
The Oude Lutherse Kerk has long been a gathering place for Amsterdam's Lutheran community, one of the oldest Protestant groups in the city. Today the building is closely tied to the University of Amsterdam, which uses it for academic ceremonies and concerts.
Access to the interior is normally arranged through the adjoining hotel, which is connected to the church by an underground passage. It is worth getting in touch before your visit, since the street entrance is not always open to the public.
After a fire in 1993, the dome was restored with a bright brass finish rather than the green patina it had before, giving it a noticeably different look from other historic domes in the city. The contrast is still visible today if you look up at the roofline from the street.
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