Zuider Kerk Amsterdam

Kerk means church, and Zuider translates as South, so Zuider Kerk is also known as the "South Church" and is another wonderful example of the 17th century churches that Amsterdam has to offer tourists and parishioners alike. Designed by Hendrick de Keyser, it was built and finalized between 1603 and 1614. Being a Protestant church it was allowed a tower. The tower is unique, as are the windows compared to other churches of the times. The base of the tower is square, leading to an octagonal element that is partially covered with sandstone and decorative Ionic pillars, then there is a wooden spire covered with lead. Close to the Waterloo Plein Zuider Kerk features a style of architecture commonly referred to as pseudo-basilica, with its two aisles that are only slightly lower than the nave, so that there is no room for clerestories. The top gables face north and south and were decorated in a rich and flamboyant Renaissance style. The rectangular shape of the windows is unique to the Zuiderkerk. If you can get there wonderful views of Zuider Kerk can be found centered in a canal off of Groenburgwal Among others architect Hendrick de Keyser is buried at Zuiderkerk, and in 1921 a memorial stone was placed on top of his tomb to commemorate the three-hundredth anniversary of his death. The building currently serves as an information center for the city planning office, but the carillon plays on Sundays between 4pm and 5pm.