Sint Nicholaskerk is the most seen and at the same time overlooked church in Amsterdam as well as being one its most recent constructions, no one can miss this iconic structure upon arrival to the city walking from Centraal Station your eye is immediately drawn to it at 58 m in height it towers over the city skyline.
This Roman Catholic Church was designed by Architect Adrianus Bleijs and is a nod to the past combining elements of neo-Baroque and neo-Renaissance styles, completed in 1887 it was made a minor Basilica in 2012.
The church is dedicated to the 4th century charitable patron saint of children that became our Santa Claus as well as the patron saint of sailors and prostitutes, another winning combination.
In the Netherlands Santa Claus is known as Sinterklaas and a feast has been celebrated for over 700 years in his name and adopted in the early part of 20th century the tradition of leaving small gifts in children’s shoes was practiced on Dec 6th which has evolved now to become a Dec 5th evening tradition of gathering of family and friends to exchange gifts and laughter.
While Dutch Sinterklaas celebrations are mainly for the children its adult component is an annual grievance poem written to the recipient that must rhyme and be read out loud by the subject at the evening party all in good fun but beware you may get as good as you give.
I took this on Sept 10th, 2017 with my D750 and Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens at 58mm 15 sec f/16 ISO100 processed in LR, PS +Lumenzia, Topaz , Luminar and DXO
Disclaimer: My style is a study of romantic realism as well as a work in progress
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