Zuiderkerk, Amsterdam

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This is the oldest protestant church of Amsterdam. Build in 1614 under management of architect Hendrick de Keyser, who is burried inside the building.

Nowadays the church is used as an Information center of the city.

You can climb the tower:
April-September: Ma-Sa: Noon - 3.30 PM (each half hour).
Entrance: Euro 6.00 (adult ticket).

This beautiful spire with clock adorns the Zuider Kerk (South Church) built in 1603, it still stands visible between all the newer structures.
What I found on the internet:
The Zuiderkerk, built between 1603 and 1611 (tower completed 1614) was the first Protestant church to be built in Amsterdam after the Reformation. Its architect was Hendrik de Keyzer, who is also buried here, according to a memorial with verses by Joost van den Vondel. The rectangular basilica-type triple nave church, with six sets of coffer-vaulting, originally had 16 stained-glass windows, but these were removed as early as 1658 to let more light in. The Zuiderkerk ceased to be a church in 1929 and its art treasures were then stored elsewhere. (at http://www.planetware.com/amsterdam/south-church-nl-nh-zuikrk.htm)
Sorry to say that the Zuider Kerk website does not support any language except Dutch.

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This was Amsterdam’s first protestant church, built by Hendrick de Keyser in 1603-1611. The church no longer functions as such & it now houses the Municipal Centre for Physical Panning & Public Housing. What is special is a guided tour up the tour Wed – Sat, June – Sept 2pm,3pm & 4pm this is done by students & lasts 30min. The tour takes you to the top of the tower, with 160 stairs to climb but with many rest spots. The guide shows you the clock mechanisms & the 3 bells at the top of tower. Volunteer bell ringers ring the bells & the there is a definite art form in bell ringing.

There are great views over the city & your guide will point out some key buildings. It was rather rainy when I went up so the photo’s are a bit dark but well worth the experience. Entrance is Euro

Zuiderkerk, Southern Church, was built by de Keyser architect in 1603-1611. In 1874 Claude Monet, the french painter, took part in painting of the church. Now the social department is situated in the church and no services are available it seems.

The Zuiderkerk is one of three churches in Amsterdam designed by 17th century master architect and sculptor Hendrick De Keyser. This one is now used as an office by the Amsterdam municipality. Inside is an exhibition, and you can get helpfull information should you want to live in this city. The interior isn't spectacular; this church was built for the protestants, which is almost a guarantee for a dull interior. However, there is one good reason to go inside; the free toilet! There aren't many of those in this greedy city. I also took the opportunity to refill my waterbottle. Never turn down a free drink, especially on a hot day.

You can also climb the tower. It'll cost you three euros. A bit expensive I think.

The zuiderkerk as seen from a canalboat.

The Zuiderkerk is designed by Hendrick de Keyser and is build in 1603-1611. It was the first church especially for the reformed.

Since 1988 it is the info center for city planning and living in Amsterdam.

In Amsterdam there are four churches that were – of course in a town where the wealth was coming so obviously from the sea – named after the winddirections. The Southern church was built with as architect H. de Keyser between 1603 and 1611. It was a protestant church in a basilica-form and with renaissance style decorations. The graceful tower was finished in 1614 and belonged – like all other towers in town – to the city government. Reason for that was that the tower clocks were like the public watch (horloge) and the towers were also used as fire-alarm watch posts in times that cityfires could detroy whole neighbourhoods..

While walking along Kloveniersburgwal, you see the ethereal tower of the Zuiderkerk from a different angle every time. The chuch is located at the end of the Onkelboerensteeg (steeg = alley) on the east side of the Kloveniersburgwal.
I was standing here on the bridge between Vendelstraat and Staalstraat, crossing Kloveniersburgwal bridge.