Vrijburg
Encyclopedia
Vrijburg is an historic clandestine church
concealed behind a row of houses fronting on the Keizersgracht, Amsterdam
. It is situated in the center of the block, with houses on all four sides and no frontage on any public street.
Vrijburg was built between 1629 and 1631 to serve Amsterdam's Remonstrant Protestants, who were not allowed to hold worship services in a manner visible by the public. Unlike many clandestine churches, the Vrijburg is a substantial, freestanding building. It is a two-story building with arched windows and even a small rose window made of brick over frame. The elegant, basilica form neoclassical interior has two sets of galleries. To secure its position, the congregation acted over time to purchase almost all of the surrounding houses, one served as a parsonage and the others were hired out.
Schuilkerk
A clandestine church , defined by historian Benjamin J. Kaplan as a "semi-clandestine church", is a house of worship used by religious minorities whose communal worship is tolerated by those of the majority faith on condition that it is discreet and not conducted in public spaces...
concealed behind a row of houses fronting on the Keizersgracht, Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
. It is situated in the center of the block, with houses on all four sides and no frontage on any public street.
Vrijburg was built between 1629 and 1631 to serve Amsterdam's Remonstrant Protestants, who were not allowed to hold worship services in a manner visible by the public. Unlike many clandestine churches, the Vrijburg is a substantial, freestanding building. It is a two-story building with arched windows and even a small rose window made of brick over frame. The elegant, basilica form neoclassical interior has two sets of galleries. To secure its position, the congregation acted over time to purchase almost all of the surrounding houses, one served as a parsonage and the others were hired out.