The Westerkerk (Western Church) is a Dutch Renaissance Reformed church built in 1620-1631 to designs by Hendrick de Keyser, and the largest church in the Netherlands ever built for Protestant worship. Its 87-metre Westertoren is Amsterdam's tallest church tower, crowned by the blue Imperial Crown of Maximilian I and visible across the city; the painter Rembrandt was buried here in 1669, and Anne Frank, hiding next door, wrote of finding comfort in its bells. In 2026 it remains an active church with free entry, but the tower is closed to climbers for a multi-year restoration, so a visit centres on the light-filled interior and the Tuesday lunchtime carillon concerts.
The 87m Westertoren topped by the blue Imperial Crown of Maximilian I — Amsterdam's tallest church tower and a landmark visible across the city.
Rembrandt's resting place — the exact grave is unknown but marked inside; his partner Hendrickje Stoffels and son Titus lie here too.
The luminous, monumental Protestant interior with its 17th-century organ and a candle 'crown' echoing the imperial crown above.
The 51-bell carillon (its 14 largest bells cast by Francois Hemony in 1658) — the only carillon in the city that chimes around the clock, best heard at the Tuesday concerts.
The setting beside the Anne Frank House and the Jordaan district — the very bells of Anne's diary and a fine starting point for a canal-side walk.
Good to know
RulesAs of 2026 the Westertoren is closed to climbers for a multi-year restoration; don't count on going up for the view, and check the official website for the latest status before you go.
RulesThe church is generally open on weekdays only (roughly 11:00-15:00) and closed on weekends and certain holidays (Christmas, New Year, King's Day, Ascension Day, Whit Monday) — plan a weekday visit.
SafetyIt sits in a tourist-dense spot beside the Anne Frank House; keep bags zipped and in front, and watch for fast-moving cyclists when stepping across the bike lanes.
MannersThis is a working church: keep your voice low, silence your phone, dress modestly, and avoid flash photography during services or concerts.
SeasonSummer brings heavy crowds (long Anne Frank House queues next door) and changeable weather, so pack a rain layer; the Tuesday lunchtime carillon concerts are a highlight.
CautionEntry is free (donations only), so ignore anyone charging 'admission'; buy Anne Frank House tickets only on the official website and avoid resellers or scalpers.
Practical info
The Westerkerk stands at Prinsengracht 281, on the edge of the Jordaan and the canal ring, right next to the Anne Frank House. Note that the nearby Westermarkt tram stop is closed for bridge works (roughly 2025-2028), so trams 13/17 run only as far as Dam Square (about a 10-minute walk) or it's about a 20-minute walk from Centraal Station; entry is free with a voluntary donation and the church is usually open weekdays 11:00-15:00, but always confirm current opening hours, service times, and any tower reopening on the official website.
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