Amsterdam is a city full of culture and contrasts. However, one of its lesser-known treasures is the Church of San Nicolás. This temple is one of the most impressive in the metropolis, but it is also a tourist attraction that does not usually appear in travel guides. But if you want to discover a place worth visiting, take a walk to this extraordinary church.
The great Dutch city is an open city, with citizens and travelers who come from all over the world. However, Amsterdam is also one of the most representative metropolises in the country, where the long local history is reflected.
One of the most important moments for the Netherlands was the Protestant Reformation, when the vast majority of Catholic churches converted to Calvinism, and many traditional temples were closed.
The Church of San Nicolás was built at the end of the 19th century, when the ban on the Catholic religion began to relax. Its architects designed it in a marked neo-baroque style, which was combined with the classical forms of the Renaissance.
Over time, the Church of Saint Nicholas became known for being one of the very few Catholic cathedrals in the Netherlands, and this curiosity makes it a point of interest that we cannot miss while exploring the city.
The external appearance of the Church of San Nicolás can seem somewhat severe, especially due to its two robust main towers, which frame the entrance to the temple. Likewise, it has a typical Flemish architecture facade, common in Amsterdam and other Dutch regions.
However, it is inside the church where we find its true splendor. The basilica is built in the shape of a cross, so when you enter, the first thing you see is its long corridors. Likewise, the stained glass windows give life to the place, in addition to allowing the entry of natural light.
Similarly, the main feature of the Church of St. Nicholas is that it retains its interior decoration, made up of sculptures, paintings and frescoes, which is not typical of traditional Calvinist temples in the Netherlands.
Similarly, the church has two chapels, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. These, together with the Main Altar, make up the internal distribution of the basilica.
Getting to this temple is easy, since it is located in the center of the city, in front of one of the main canals of Amsterdam. Also, and although it is a beautiful place, it does not usually receive many tourists, so it is ideal if you want to see an emblematic monument of Amsterdam and stay away from the big crowds.
Please note that the Church of Saint Nicholas is a public space, and admission is free. However, it is necessary to respect the opening hours of the basilica, avoiding taking a tourist tour during the hours in which mass is offered.
Finally, you should know that you can walk from the Central Train Station to the Church of San Nicolás, since both are only a few meters away.
© 2021 All rights reserved TRIP AIM
Made in ❤ TripAim
