The Western tower and the Western church

The Western Church is designed by Hendrick de Keyser between 1625-1631. The church was inaugurated on Pentacost 1631.

The large organ (with its remarkable pure sounds) is build by Duyschot in 1686 and it was enlarged by Christian Vater in 1727. The paintings on the organ are made by De Lairesse : King David, the Queen of Sheba and Salomo. The small organ is the socalled Ds H.A.Vissre organ. In this Gothic church Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1669) and his son Titus are burried,but nobody knows the exact place.

The tower of this reformed church rises high at the corner of the Prinsengracht and the Rozengracht. On the top of the tower (85 meters) the crown of the emperor Maximiliaan of Austria is placed (given as a thanks for the support of Amsterdam to the Austrian principality). Pieter (1619-1689) and Frans Hemony (1609-1667) build the carillon.

The Western tower and church got mentioned in a lot of songs sang and serves as a symbol for many old Amsterdammers. In the summer months you can hike up the tower to the first balcony and enjoy the view over the city.