Posthoorn Schuilkerk

The influence of the Reformation on Amsterdam was enormous. It brought rapid economic growth to the city. Catholics were excluded from the city administration and their churches were converted into Protestant places of worship. Catholics were no longer allowed to profess their faith in public and were forced to use hideaway churches for their services. Amsterdam had 14 such hidden churches, the most famous of which was the Posthoornkerk. The church is located at number 7 on the left side of the canal and can be recognised by a gable stone with a post horn above it. Concealed churches were tolerated as long as they remained hidden from the public, which is a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. The use of hideaway churches was necessary to continue practising the Catholic faith, as openly professing it was forbidden. Interestingly, Amsterdam has not only a history of religious tolerance, but also a rich history of tolerance.