Dutch Amsterdam is known worldwide for its tolerance, the Red Light District, and its coffee shops. But did you know that Amsterdam was once an extremely religious city? The city has a turbulent history when it comes to religion, museums such as Our Lord in the Attic are a prime example of this.
The oldest building in Amsterdam, the Oude Kerk (Old Church), became a Catholic church in 1306. As the city grew, more Catholic churches were built, and Catholicism became Amsterdam’s official religion.
For a long time, the Spanish strictly ruled the city, enforcing Catholicism. Meanwhile, Protestantism gained popularity among the people of Amsterdam. The Spanish harshly suppressed any Protestant uprisings, but tensions eventually escalated. In 1566, the Beeldenstorm (Iconoclastic Fury) broke out. Protestants stormed Catholic churches, converting them into Protestant places of worship. In 1578, the Alteration officially turned Amsterdam into a Protestant city.
Catholics lost their churches and could only practice their faith in secrecy. Amsterdam’s reputation for tolerance allowed other religions, as long as they remained hidden. Catholics responded by creating “hidden churches,” which looked like regular houses but functioned as Catholic places of worship. On Sundays, Catholics often gathered in pubs and used hidden tunnels to access these secret churches. It was an open secret, tolerated as long as it stayed discreet.
Today, Amsterdam is far less religious, and many churches have been repurposed. Hidden churches like Our Lord in the Attic still survive and serve as historical landmarks. This stunning monument, now a museum in the Red Light District, highlights that the city offers much more than coffeeshops and prostitution. Other hidden churches, like those at the Begijnhof or De Papegaai in the bustling Kalverstraat, also preserve this fascinating part of Amsterdam’s history.
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