De Duif

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De Duif is a great church on the Prinsengracht in Amsterdam. At present - after the recent restoration by Stadsherstel Amsterdam- it is rented for all kind of events.

[edit] History

The building was build in 1858 as the Roman Catholic St. Willibrorduskerk using the plans of the architect Theo Molkenboer. This was the former location of the sugar factory called "Het Fortuyn". After this burnt down, the spot was used for the new church. Replacing the century old (secret) church "Het Vrededuifje" which stood on the "Kerkstraat" (on the place where nowadays the post office is standing.

The Church is build in the neo classicist style and has a neo Barroc front. From the opposite site of the canal one has a good view off this building. The building is a rijksmonument. Inside there stand a large Smits-orgel, which has a monumental status both local as national. This "orgel" (The biggest above the big dutch rivers) was taken in to service on 25 sept. 2006 - after a restoration. The church is since 1974 the home of the "Oecumenische Basisgemeente De Duif", that has her Sunday ceremonials here.

In 2008 De Duif exists 150 Year.

[edit] Events

The building is high and wide and an excellent location for events with hundreds of visitors. The acoustic makes it suitable for concerts of choirs, orkests, singers, etc. In fact it is used for things like: Dans performances, product presentations, television production, theater, shows and business meeting events. In Amsterdam "De Duif" is "popular" as location for marriage and funerals. It hosts yearly events like the Tangomagia and the Tribal Art Fair. In the summer of 2006 it was one of the locations of the Holland Festival. The building is managed by Stadsherstel.