Princess Máxima's tears at her wedding to Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, the coronation of Queen Beatrix - and her mother Queen Juliana before her - and the annual Remembrance Day ceremony for the World War II dead.
All these events have one thing in common: Amsterdam's New Church is the venue. "The building is an icon and has been at the heart of the city of Amsterdam for centuries," says managing director Ernst Veen about the church.
The New Church has stood in Dam square for six centuries. The first mass was held there on 18 May 1410. First the Catholics came, then the Protestants and since 1980 everyone has been welcome. For the past 30 years the building has served as a cultural centre, where concerts and exhibitions are held as well as church services.
Restoration
Religion and art have gone together for centuries. After a major fire and restoration in the mid-17th century, the city council invited the best known Dutch and Flemish artists of the day to decorate the church. For instance Gerrit Janszoon van Bronckhorst painted the organ and Johannes Lutma made the copper screen in front of the choir.
In 1814, the coronation of the first Dutch monarch, Willem I, took place in the church. It was the beginning of a tradition. The last royal celebration in the church in Dam Square was the wedding of Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his fiancée Máxima. The image of her wiping a tear from her eye during the church blessing was broadcast around the whole world.
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It is a lovely church and the video about it is just great too. Thanks!
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